ABSTRACT BOOK

31st World Buiatrics Congress

September 4th to 8th, 2022
Madrid, Spain

Organizers:

The National Association of Spanish Specialists in Bovine Medicine

(ANEMBE)

The World Association for Buiatrics (WAB)

WBC 2022 Congress Technical Secretariat:

Marià Cubí, 4, 08006,

Barcelona, Spain.
Email: wbcmadrid2022@pacifico-meetings.com
 WBC2022 ABSTRACT BOOK

LIST OF THE BIENNIAL “WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESSES”

Year Venue Year Venue

1 1960 Hannover (Germany) 17 1992 St Paul (USA)
2 1962 Vienna (Austria) 18 1994 Bologna (Italy)
3 1964 Copenhagen (Denmark) 19 1996 Edinburgh (Scotland)
4 1966 Zurich (Switzerland) 20 1998 Sydney (Australia)
5 1968 Opatija (Yugoslavia) 21 2000 Punta del Este (Uruguay)
6 1970 London (UK) 22 2002 Hannover (Germany)
7 1972 Philadelphia (USA) 23 2004 Quebec (Canada)
8 1974 Milan (Italy) 24 2006 Nice (France)
9 1976 Nice (France) 25 2008 Budapest (Hungary)
10 1978 Mexico City (Mexico) 26 2010 Santiago (Chile)
11 1980 Tel Aviv (Israel) 27 2012 Lisbon (Portugal)
12 1982 Amsterdam (The Netherlands) 28 2014 Cairns (Australia)
13 1984 Durban (South Africa) 29 2016 Dublin (Ireland)
14 1986 Dublin (Ireland) 30 2018 Sapporo (Japan)
15 1988 Palma de Mallorca (Spain) 31 2022 Madrid (Spain)
16 1990 San Salvador da Bahia (Brazil)

WORLD ASSOCIATION FOR BUIATRICS

President Honorary President

Emile Bouchard, Canada H.J. Breukink, The Netherlands

Vice-presidents Honorary Secretary General

Luis Poo, Chile M. Stöber, Germany
Motoshi Tajima, Japan P. Lekeux, Belgium

President Elect Honorary ExCo Members

Arcangelo Gentile, Italy R.G. Eddy, UK
K. Hamana, Japan
Secretary General H.R. Han, Korea
Gatz Riddell, JR., USA W. Hofmann, Germany
A.D. Weaver, UK
Treasurer
David H. Black, UK

Committee Members
Saïd Alali, Morocco Bo Han, China
Ricardo Spacagna Jordao, Brazil Peter Heimberg, Germany
Francois Schelcher, France Norman Bruce Williamson, New Zealand
Octavio Campuzano, Mexico Thomas Wittek, Austria
Juan V. Gonzalez-Martin, Spain Inhyung Lee, South Korea
Przemyslaw Sobiech, Poland

31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID

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 WBC2022 ABSTRACT BOOK

WBC 2022 ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

Ángel Ávila Coya Juan Carlos González Fernández
Juan Manuel Cainzos Cagiao Francisco Jose González Rodríguez
Fernando Criado García Juan Carlos Marco Melero
Gumersindo de la Riera Díaz Joaquin Ranz Vallejo
Jorge Eseverri Azcoiti Marco Aurelio Sánchez Moreiro
Manuel Ángel Fernández Sánchez

WBC 2022 SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE

President: Gumersindo de la Riera
Honorific President: Alfonso Monge

Ángel Abuelo Ronald Erskine Antonio Natale

Saïd Alali Jorge Eseverri Ian Ohnstad
Marta Alonso Manuel Ángel Fernández Georgios Oikonomou
Julio Álvarez Klibs Galvão Luís Miguel Ortega
Miguel Ángel Aparicio Tobar Álvaro García Guerra Simon Peek
Rob Atwill Joseba Garrido Francisco Peñagaricano
Ángel Ávila Coya Tom Geary Ana Pico
Mohamed Aziz Darghouth Arcangelo Gentile Luis Poo Kutscher
Mário Balaro Giovanni Gnemmi Luis Ángel Quintela
Jesse Barandika Arturo Gómez Joaquín Ranz Vallejo
Pietro Baruselli Adrián González Michela Re
Joaquim Baucells Juan Carlos González Gatz Riddell
Lindert Benedictus Francisco González Rodríguez Carlos Risco
David Black Marcello Guadagnini Juan Miguel Rodríguez
Javier Blanco Murcia María Guelbenzu-Gonzalo Allen Roussell
Gabriel Bo Juan Pablo Gutiérrez Jonathan Rushton
Calvin W. Booker Bo Han Marco Aurelio Sánchez
Émile Bouchard Peter Heimberg José Eduardo Santos
Sebastian Buczinski Luis Miguel Jiménez Galán Ynte Schukken
Juan Manuel Cainzos Vicente Jimeno Adlai Schuler
Luis Octavio Campuzano José Luis Juaristi Geof Smith
Antonio Cantalapiedra Delia Lacasta Lozano Przemyslaw Sobiech
Jude L. Capper Alfonso Lago Odon Sobrino Abuja
Octavio Catalán Ryan Law Ricardo Spacagna Jordão
Ricardo Chebel Inhyung Lee Motoshi Tajima
Peter-Henning Clausen Luis León Aurora Villarroel
Jill Colloton Jaime Llena Robert Wijma
Fernando Criado García Fiona Lovatt Norman Williamson
Gumersindo de la Riera José Mallo Peter Windsor
André Desrochers Xavier Manteca Vilanova Ruth Zadoks
Albert DeVries Juan Carlos Marco Melero Daniel Zeledón
Trevor DeVries Daniel Martínez Bello
Fernando Diaz Royón Alfonso Monge

31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID

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WBC 2022 SPONSORS
The WBC 2022 organizing Committee wishes to thank our sponsors for the support

Premium Partners

Sponsor Major

Sponsor Partners
Exhibitors
 WBC2022 ABSTRACT BOOK

INDEX
VOLUME 1
KEYNOTE LECTURES................................................................................................................................................................15

VIP PRESENTATIONS.....................................................................................................................................................17
K01 – K04 Animal Health....................................................................................................................................20
K05 – K08 Internal Medicine & Toxicology.........................................................................................................21
K09 – K12 Immunology and Vaccines.................................................................................................................24
K17 – K20 Buffaloes and Camelids.....................................................................................................................28
K21 – K24 Small Ruminants.................................................................................................................................31
K27 – K29 Reproduction in Dairy Cattle.............................................................................................................33
K30 – K33 Udder Health and Mastitis.................................................................................................................34
K38 – K41 Lameness...........................................................................................................................................36
K42 – K45 Genetics and Breeding......................................................................................................................39
K47 – K49 Teaching & Continuing Education.....................................................................................................41
K51 – K53 Nutrition & Metabolism Diseases......................................................................................................42
K55 – K58 Infectious Diseases............................................................................................................................43
K59 – K62 Cattle Welfare....................................................................................................................................46
K65 Feedlot..............................................................................................................................................48
K67 – K70 Diagnostic Imaging............................................................................................................................49
K71 – K74 Sustainable Cattle Productive Systems..............................................................................................51
K76 – K79 Surgery...............................................................................................................................................53
K80 – K83 Biotechnology....................................................................................................................................56
K84 – K85 Pharmacology & Therapeutics...........................................................................................................59
K87 – K90 Epidemiology....................................................................................................................................61
K91 – K93 Public Health, Food Security and Antimicrobial Resistance..............................................................64
K94 – K97 Parasitism...........................................................................................................................................66

WORKSHOPS............................................................................................................................................................................71

W01 – W03 ECBHM WORKSHOP.........................................................................................................................73

W04 REPRODUCTION IN BEEF CATTLE WORKSHOP.............................................................................74
W05 – W07 REPRODUCTION IN DAIRY CATTLE.................................................................................................75
W08 REPRODUCTION WORKSHOP.........................................................................................................76
W09 GENETICS AND BREEDING WORKSHOP........................................................................................77
W10 CONTINUING EDUCATION WORKSHOP........................................................................................77
W11 – W12 UDDER HEALTH WORKSHOP (IN FARM)..........................................................................................78
W14 CATTLE WELFARE WORKSHOP........................................................................................................79
W15 DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING WORKSHOP..............................................................................................80
W16 – W18 NUTRITION AND BIOTECHNOLOGY WORKSHOP.........................................................................81
W19 – W21 BIOTECHNOLOGY WORKSHOP......................................................................................................83
W22 EPIDEMIOLOGY WORKSHOP...........................................................................................................85
W23 SURGERY WORKSHOP......................................................................................................................86
W24 – W27 APPLICATION OF SYSTEMS THINKING DISCIPLINE IN BEEF
CATTLE VETERINARY MEDICINE......................................................................................................87

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 WBC2022 ABSTRACT BOOK

ORAL PRESENTATIONS............................................................................................................................................................91
Animal Health (AH)........................................................................................................................................................93
Buffaloes and Camelids (BC).......................................................................................................................................116
Biotechnology (BT)......................................................................................................................................................122
Cattle Welfare (CW).....................................................................................................................................................125
Diagnostic Imaging (DI)...............................................................................................................................................145
Epidemiology (EP).......................................................................................................................................................153
Feedlot (FE).................................................................................................................................................................158
Genetics and Breeding (GB)........................................................................................................................................164
Herd Health Management, Smart Farming and Economics (HH)................................................................................177
Infectious Diseases (ID)................................................................................................................................................212
Internal Medicine and Toxicology (IM)........................................................................................................................255
Immunology and Vaccinology (IV)...............................................................................................................................267
Lameness (LA)..............................................................................................................................................................290
Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases (NU).......................................................................................................................307
Parasitism (PA).............................................................................................................................................................325
Public Health, Food Safety and Antimicrobial Resistance (PH)...................................................................................336
Pharmacology and Therapeutics (PT)..........................................................................................................................351
Reproduction in Beef Cattle (RB).................................................................................................................................354
Reproduction in Dairy Cattle (RD)...............................................................................................................................359
Sustainable Cattle Productive Systems (SP)................................................................................................................377
Small Ruminants (SR)...................................................................................................................................................383
Surgery (SU).................................................................................................................................................................403
Teaching and Continuing Education (TE)....................................................................................................................406
Udder Health and Mastitis (UH)...................................................................................................................................412

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KEYNOTE LECTURES

VIP PRESENTATIONS

KEYNOTE LECTURES

K01 - K04 Animal Health

K05 - K08 Internal Medicine & Toxicology
K09 - K12 Immunology and Vaccines
K17 - K20 Buffaloes and Camelids
K21 - K24 Small Ruminants
K27 - K29 Reproduction in Dairy Cattle
K30 - K33 Udder Health and Mastitis
K38 - K41 Lameness
K42 - K45 Genetics and Breeding
K47 - K49 Teaching & Continuing Education
K51 - K53 Nutrition & Metabolism Diseases
K55 - K58 Infectious Diseases
K59 - K62 Cattle Welfare
K65 Feedlot
K67 - K70 Diagnostic Imaging
K71 - K74 Sustainable Cattle Productive Systems
K76 - K79 Surgery
K80 - K83 Biotechnology
K84 - K85 Pharmacology & Therapeutics
K87 - K90 Epidemiology
K91 - K93 Public Health, Food Security and Antimicrobial Resistance
K94 - K97 Parasitism

Monday, September 5th, 2022
Men-animals relations. Historic aspects and evolution
Bernard Vallat.
FICT, Paris, France.
The benefits of animal domestication for humanity evolu-
tion is widely recognized
Domestication has been based on commitment from an-
imal owners to protect animals from predators, to provide
conditions for appropriate feeding, disease prevention and
treatment and housing when necessary . Men owners always
exerted rights on their domestic animals. Indeed, domestica-
tion led to genetic selection linked with the needs of human
communities: mainly work, protection and war, animal origin
food, cultural events, soil fertilization.
A majority of domestic animal cannot survive without own-
ers protection and care.
Many voices at global level are advocating for an evolution
of the historic deal between men and domestic animal and
some so called “antispecists”are proposing to ban the concept
of man superiority and even the right to have domestic animals
for any purpose.
In addition to philosophical controversies, antispecists are
using other arguments linked with health and environment
based on scientific publications often supported by activist
NGOs. In front of these controversies the answer must be sci-
ence based, using sources with full independence.
However, it is always recommended to recall the strong
benefits of domestic animal for mankind.
• Food and high-quality nutrition.
• Soil fertilization versus chemical products.
• Cultural and sport key partners.
• Providers of leather, wool and skin clothes.
• Companions of billions of families.
• Key factor of poverty reduction in developing countries.
• Unavoidable element for scientific research for human
and animal health.
• High genetic diversity.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
KEYNOTE LECTURES — VIP PRESENTATION
Tuesday, September 6th, 2022
Why do many veterinarians no longer use the clinical
examination of ruminants on a regular basis?
Walter Baumgartner.
University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria.
Objectives: Clinical propaedeutics provides the prelimi-
nary knowledge for diagnosing diseases, their therapy and
prophylaxis. In the clinic, the diseases are discussed and the
aetiology (cause of the disease), pathogenesis (development
of the disease) or pathophysiology, specific symptoms, dia-
gnosis and differential diagnosis, prophylaxis and therapy
are dealt with. This then results in the prognosis (prediction),
which is important for the animal owner, i.e. the veterinarian‘s
statement about the further course of the disease (duration,
outcome, treatment costs).
Material and methods: Diseases in animals and humans
are recognised due to particular changes in the state of life.
These deviations from the physiological state are the disease
manifestations or symptoms.
A distinction is made between 1. subjective symptoms,
which the patient feels and reports to the doctor and 2. ob-
jective symptoms („signs“), which the doctor detects without
the patient influencing them. Since animals usually lack the
ability to communicate subjective sensations, the veterinarian
has to deal mainly with symptoms that have to be objectively
recorded.
Most misdiagnoses are not so much due to technical in-
ability, lack of experience or wrong thinking, but simply due to
forgetting to exhaust a number of diagnostic possibilities.
There are existing different types of diagnosis:
1. Aetiological diagnosis: not only an organ localisation,
but also the cause and type of disease (e.g. inflam-
mation, degeneration) could be established without
difficulty.
2. Provisional diagnosis (tentative diagnosis): The disea-
se cannot be identified with certainty.
3. Functional diagnosis: A dysfunction of one or more or-
gans is established without proving the exact nature of
the organ disease in question.
4. Organ diagnosis: Localisation of the disease in a spe-
cific organ.
5. Symptomatic diagnosis: Cause and affected organ
could not be established, therefore only a specific,
concise symptom is cited as diagnosis.
There are two principles regarding the type of examination:
Examination by organ system (gastrointestinal tract, res-
piratory tract, circulatory and lymphatic systems, etc.) and
topographical examination (includes all organs and organ sys-
tems in each region of the body).
General examination: This covers all organ systems and
should always be carried out at least during the initial exam-
ination of a patient. In intensive animal husbandry, the basic
examination procedure is modified and the points of anamne-
sis and environment are dealt with in particular detail (check-
list).
17
KEYNOTE LECTURES — VIP PRESENTATION
Special examinations: If the general examination leads to
the suspicion that a certain organ system is affected (e.g. skin,
sexual apparatus or nervous system), this organ system is ex-
amined in more detail in a special examination. The special
examinations supplement the simple examinations with spe-
cial diagnostic procedures that are usually technically complex
and are only used in certain cases (e.g. urinalysis, blood tests,
diagnostic imaging procedures, ECG).
Results and Conclusions: The importance of clinical ex-
amination of cattle directly in the barn during the first visit of
a sick animal to determine the disease is shown with the help
of some specific examples (including use of percussion to dif-
ferentiate respiratory diseases; differentiation of all different
forms of mastitis; differentiation between primary and second-
ary enteritis in calves, etc.).
Once the prognosis has been established, a targeted ther-
apy (e.g. much less use of antibiotics and other drugs; more
sustainable and cheaper way of treatment) can be carried out.
The successful therapy process thus achieved cannot be ex-
pected from experts via telephone without a clinical examina-
tion (unfortunately, nowadays one finds widespread telephone
service in many countries of the world).
References:
BAUMGARTNER, W., WITTEK, T. (2018): Klinische
Propädeutik der Haus- und Heimtiere. 9. Aufl., Enke, Stuttgart.
BAUMGARTNER, W, WITTEK, T. (2018): Diagnostyka kli-
niczna zwierzat. 9th ed., Edra Urban & Partner, Wroclaw.
Controlling epidemic bovine diseases in the last decades:
What can we learn from it?
Klaus Doll.
Clinic for Ruminants, University of Giessen, Germany.
Objectives: The main reason for the foundation of veter-
inary schools in the middle of the 18th century was, besides
the need of veterinarians for the horse stocks of the armies,
the control of the then raging infectious animal diseases. First
and foremost, rinderpest threatened the economies of Europe.
In many areas, the disease destroyed up to 75% of the cattle
population. The Netherlands even lost almost its entire cattle
population to the disease between 1711 and 1717. As a fierce
and rapidly spreading disease, rinderpest usually occurred in
the wake of large campaigns, as at that time the armies often
carried large herds of oxen as living provisions. Nowadays,
international trade in animals and animal products, the spread
of vectors with other traded goods, and due to climate change,
and international travel, threaten cattle populations. The aim of
this paper is to show, with some examples, the measures tak-
en in recent years in countries with intensive milk production
to control or eradicate the main epidemic infectious diseases
in cattle.
Materials and methods: The main focus is on the con-
trol of tuberculosis, foot-and-mouth disease, bovine viral diar-
rhea/mucosal disease, paratuberculosis and, as an example
of an arthropod-borne viral disease, bluetongue, which was
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
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introduced into northwestern Europe in 2006. The influence
of modern infection epidemiology, new diagnostic methods
and new vaccines on the control of such infectious diseases
is described, as well as the influence of non-medically indicat-
ed, but rather eco- and trade policy-driven choices of control
measures. The causes of failures or new outbreaks are also
discussed.
Results: Due to their zoonotic and/or economic impor-
tance, the control of the most important infectious diseases in
cattle is now regulated by the World Organisation for Animal
Health (WOAH / OIE), the European Union animal health law
and other supranational and national regulations. Irrespective
of this, the following basic principles should always be ob-
served with regard to the infectious diseases to be controlled
and the choice of control strategy: Zoonotic and economic
importance of the infection and its prevalence, characteristics
of the pathogen, the severity and course of the diseases, its
etiology and transmission routes, potential reservoir of the
pathogen (examples: paratuberculosis, tuberculosis), involve-
ment of vectors (example: bluetongue), presence of latently
or persistently infected animals, predictive value of available
test methods, availability and efficacy of vaccines, prospects
of success of control or eradication programs and their accep-
tance by livestock owners, and their cost-effectiveness. This is
because the attainability of a control target is often based on
overly optimistic assumptions, and likewise, verification of the
efficacy of such intervention strategies has been rare. In addi-
tion to the existing infection prevention measures, breeding for
disease resistance is likely to become much more important in
the future in connection with marker-assisted selection in the
cattle sector as well.
Conclusions: As in the days of the first modern veterinary
schools, the control of animal diseases will remain an import-
ant veterinary task in the future. For despite all the progress
made, there are still numerous challenges in this field that
have not yet been satisfactorily resolved, such as the control
of bovine tuberculosis or paratuberculosis in some countries.
In addition, there is always the risk of pathogen introduction
(example: foot-and-mouth disease) into disease-free countries
or the emergence of new diseases. However, the field of in-
fectious disease epidemiology as well as clinical buiatrics is
obviously neglected at some veterinary schools in the course
of shifting the focus of education to companion animals. But
farm animal medicine is more than laboratory diagnostics and
microbiology, because especially in the early detection of a
disease outbreak, the recognition of the first clinical symptoms
is and remains of crucial importance.
 
 KEYNOTE LECTURES — VIP PRESENTATION

Wednesday, September 7th, 2022

Successful dairy farming

Jack Britt.
Jack H Britt Consulting, Etowah NC, USA.

Demand for milk and dairy products will double in the next
50 years according to the United Nations. Increased popula-
tions in Africa and South Asia will increase demand for milk and
dairy products in regions where milk yield per cow is among
the lowest worldwide. Climate change will make it more chal-
lenging to meet this demand, and cattle that are more heat
tolerant will increase in warmer regions. Milk yield per cow
globally needs to increase from 3,000 kg in 2020 to 6,000 kg
in 2072. Half of this increase will be associated with improved
genetics of dairy cattle, particularly through application of ge-
nomic technologies across breeds. This will require better re-
cords of ancestry and greater use of artificial insemination with
semen from superior bulls. More genetic emphasis will be on
changing milk constituents rather than volume produced per
cow. Increased milk output will require improved feeding and
management and an increase in average herd size, because
yield increases as cows move into larger herds, which typi-
cally provide better feed and management. Novel breeds and
crossbred cows will become more productive, particularly in
areas where increased temperatures will subject cows to more
stress. Health of dairy cow will improve through development
of better vaccines and novel health products that will replace
antibiotics. There will more focus on understanding and man-
aging epigenetics of dairy cattle, with particular focus on body
condition scores and specific periods, including development
in utero, the first 3 months after birth, during the onset of pu-
berty and during first pregnancy. All of this will evolve into com-
ponents of genetic evaluation systems. There will be more em-
phasis on managing microbiomes of dairy cows, particularly
microbiomes of the rumen, digestive tract, udder, and uterus.
For example, specific microbes may be injected, using ultra-
sound-guided technology, into the amnionic sac of the fetus to
provide it with the desired microbiome before birth. Technolo-
gies developed for dairy cows will be applicable to dairy buffa-
lo, goats, sheep, and other dairy mammals. A major challenge
to improving milk production worldwide will be changing the
culture of dairy farming in countries where output per cow is
low. This will require improved genetics, improved feeding, im-
proved healthcare, and often will require dairy farmers to pool
milk cows into jointly owned herds to acquire and apply more
advanced technologies. More details are available at Britt et
al. 2018. J. Dairy Sci. 101 (5): 3722-3741 and Britt et al. 2021.
Animal 15 (2) 100298.
 

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KEYNOTE LECTURES — Animal Health
Animal Health
K01
Getting the right balance-managing the animals “health
maintenance system”
Christopher Chase.
Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, South Dakota
State University Brookings SD USA
Homeostasis is an important function of the immune re-
sponse to maintain health. Homeostasis- the animals “health
maintenance system” is dependent on the integration and
regulation of the mucosa and lamina propria of the respira-
tory and gastrointestinal tract (GIT) along with continuous
interaction with the microbiome. The mucosa epithelium of
respiratory and gastrointestinal (GI) system is the largest im-
mune organ of the body provides the barrier, “the kill zone”
that eliminates 99.9% of all infections. The kill zone integrates
all the components of the immune system; 1) barrier compo-
nents (mucous and mucins, tight junctions); 2) innate immuni-
ty (macrophages, defensins, neutrophils, interferon, cytokines
and 3) adaptive immunity (secretory IgA and IgG, and T and B
lymphocytes). This system is very susceptible to dehydration
and changes in microbial populations. In addition, the mucosa
epithelium along with the lamina propria is the immune “fire
wall”, the immune regulatory system that provides “homeosta-
sis” mechanisms that balance the immune system to provide a
stable healthy internal environment to minimize inflammation.
Once the mucosa epithelium is breached, the innate system
is the first to be activated and responds almost immediately.
The adaptive response follows up 10-14 days later in naïve
animals. The immune system is regulated to prevent an over
response (too much of a good thing). The cumulative effect of
these anti-inflammatory response is to regulate the immune
system, maintain homeostasis and to direct the immune re-
sponse away from the memory response to the short-term an-
tibody immune response. At the same time, over expression of
pro-inflammatory cytokines from infectious agents, feed intake
issues (acidosis, ketosis) and stress can result in immune dys-
function and an over reactive immune system that can result in
immunopathology and disease. ”. The microbiome- the micro-
organisms in the respiratory and GIT, is essential for immune
development, immune response, and maximizing ruminant
productivity. Microbiome provides essential signals to enhance
the kill zone and the anti-inflammatory state. Stressors along
with the intake of feed and hydration affect the microbiome
and the intestinal epithelial cells resulting in important immune
interactions.
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K04
Precision technology in dairy calves: new technology with
a new direction
David Renaud.
University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
There has been a tremendous increase in the number of
technologies that have become available to dairy producers
over the last few decades. This has led to the adoption of pe-
dometers, rumination collars, and in-line milk sensors in dairy
cows; however, there has also been precision technologies
that have been developed and integrated in calves. Automat-
ed milk feeders have increased substantially over the last few
years, where in a survey of Canadian farms, the number of au-
tomated milk feeders went from none being reported in 2007
to more than 16% of farms using an automated milk feeder in a
2015 survey. The main reasons for this change, as highlighted
by producers by the survey, were it helped raise better calves
and offer more milk to calves while reducing labor. Beyond
these reasons, automated milk feeders can aid in disease
identification, both diarrhea and respiratory disease, through
reductions in the level of daily milk consumption, drinking
speed, and number of rewarded and unrewarded visits. In
addition, declines in these behaviours can often be seen in
the days prior to the development of disease which is spurring
on new research evaluating non-antimicrobial interventions to
prevent disease or reduce the duration of disease. In fact, a re-
cent study has found that providing colostrum at an automated
milk feeder alarm led to a reduction in the development of re-
spiratory disease. Beyond automated milk feeding machines,
tracking calf activity through pedometers to predict disease
has become a possibility. Specifically, differences in activity
levels have been found in several studies where a greater ly-
ing time, fewer lying bouts, fewer step counts, and a smaller
acceleration activity index have been observed in calves with
respiratory disease compared to healthy controls. Collective-
ly, this research highlights that activity monitors could play an
important role in aiding producers to detect disease earlier.
Temperature monitoring devices have also been assessed
to identify disease in calves; however, additional research
is needed to further understand their ability in a commercial
setting. Precision technologies have great potential to be ap-
plied in the management of dairy calves, especially in early
disease detection, and further research is ongoing on how to
use changes in behaviour for early interventions to mitigate or
prevent disease.

Internal Medicine & Toxicology
K05
Jejunal Hemorrhage Syndrome
Simon Peek.
University of Wisconsin, USA.
Session Objectives: To briefly review the literature on the
condition covering the last 30 years (1). Provide retrospective
information on approximately 100 cases seen at the University
of Wisconsin in the last 20 years to help guide clinical decision
making (2). To present information regarding risk factors, herd
management and prevention (3).
Introduction: Jejunal hemorrhage syndrome (JHS) is now
a worldwide disease of predominantly dairy cattle, first docu-
mented in the US in 1992. It has since been identified in other
parts of North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. It
is characterized by rapid, occasionally substantial, obstructive
jejunal clot formation that causes affected individuals to be-
come colicky. The condition can clinically mimic other causes
of small bowel obstruction. Most affected individuals will pass
blood clots in feces over the ensuing 12-24-hour period but
significant bowel devitalization, necrosis and peritonitis may
accompany intraluminal hemorrhage and obstruction.
Etiology: Much interest regarding etiology has centered
on Clostridium perfringens type A, based upon studies identi-
fying the organism in blood clots within the jejunum and feces
of affected cattle. Additionally, pathologic investigations have
histologically identified large numbers of gram positive rods
adjacent to the typical areas of intestinal necrosis. However,
attempts to fulfill any of Koch’s postulates with isolates ob-
tained from clinical cases, even in immunocompromised ex-
perimental animals, have failed and it is worth remembering
that this organism is a commensal. There has also been in-
terest in a possible role for the mold Aspergillus fumigatus,
commonly present in livestock environments and feedstuffs.
Similarly, no definitive role has been proven for this organism
but mold inhibitors are frequently used as feed additives.
Clinical Signs: Affected cattle usually present with per-
acute colic ranging from moderate to severe. Two retrospec-
tive studies have identified that cows tend to be in the 3rd to 5th
month of lactation. Rarely, bulls, dry cows and beef animals
are affected. Fecal production and character can be informa-
tive and helpful in distinguishing JHS from other causes of
peracute colic; initially cattle will have scant to absent manure
production but over a few hours often develop “tarry” feces
with fresher clots mixed-in. Continued, complete absence of
fecal production is uncommon but most cattle become visibly
distended. Dilated loops of small intestine are visible on ultra-
sound examination, sometimes with detectable echogenic ma-
terial consistent with intraluminal clots. Detectable small bowel
distension on rectal examination is an inconsistent finding.
Treatment: Although occasional success using purely
medical treatment with flunixin, catharctic laxatives or lubri-
cants (usually Epsom salts or mineral oil), Clostridium perfrin-
gens type C and D antitoxin and antibiotics (procaine penicillin
or ceftiofur) is reported, our approach is to combine medical
therapy with surgery. Via a right flank approach, we employ
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
KEYNOTE LECTURES — Internal Medicine & Toxicology
aborad manual massage of the identified clots as the pre-
ferred treatment. In over 100 cases we have an approximately
60% discharge rate from the hospital (combining surgery with
catharctics, high dose pencillin, flunixin, and fluid therapy). In-
traoperatively, if cattle have extensive devitalized intestine, if
the clots cannot be broken up and dislodged, or reform almost
immediately - these are poor prognostic signs. Most cattle
that do well post-operatively produce feces with clots within
1-2 hours (sometimes much less!) of surgery, and importantly
continue to do so over the following 12-24 hours. Importantly,
there is a lifetime recurrence rate of up to 25% in cattle fol-
lowed long term.
Prevention: Given the uncertainty over etiology and
known risk factors, success with prevention and management
continues to be frustrating. Surveys of affected herds in the US
reveal that cattle tend to be in the first 5 months post-partum
and the median parity is the third lactation. We have observed
an increased prevalence in Brown Swiss. Problem farms ex-
perience quiet periods interspersed with “outbreaks” when
clusters of new cases occur. Energy and protein rich diets that
are frequently being adjusted alongside immune and other
physiologic stresses associated with early lactation are the
predictable scapegoats for these outbreaks. Vaccines against
Clostridium perfringens type A, commercial or autologous, and
mold inhibitors have been used extensively but no controlled
studies exist examining their efficacy. However, transition and
early lactation cows undoubtedly benefit from optimizing intes-
tinal health as consistently as possible whether one is referring
to JHS or other enteric/metabolic diseases.
References: Available on request.
K06
Recent advances in the treatment of calf diarrhea
Geof Smith.
North Carolina State University, Raleigh, USA.
Calf diarrhea remains the leading cause of mortality in
both beef and dairy calves prior to weaning. Although farm-
ers need to focus on prevention, some diarrhea is inevitable.
Therefore, veterinarians need to be able to work with produc-
ers to recognize disease promptly and institute successful
treatment programs. Goals of therapy in the diarrheic calf are
to 1) restore dehydration; 2) correct acid-base abnormal-
ities; 3) replenish electrolytes and 4) provide nutritional
support to prevent starvation. Key principles of therapy
are as follows:
1. A metabolic (or strong ion) acidosis is common in calves
with diarrhea- Research has shown that calves produce signif-
icant amounts of D-lactate in their gastrointestinal tract during
diarrhea and lose large amounts of sodium. Together these
produce a decrease in blood pH (acidosis) which is one of
the most significant reasons for mortality in diarrheic calves.
In contrast, children don’t frequently develop acid-base dis-
turbances with diarrhea necessitating different approaches to
treatment between calves and humans. Fluid therapy is criti-
21
KEYNOTE LECTURES — Internal Medicine & Toxicology
cal and the primary goal should be to rehydrate and prevent/
correct acidemia.
2. Oral electrolyte therapy is the backbone of a treatment
program- Significant advances in our understanding of oral
electrolytes has occurred in the past 10 years. We know now
that oral electrolytes designed to treat calves with diarrhea
should look significantly different than those used in children.
We have learned a lot about the importance of including an al-
kalinizing agent (such as bicarbonate or sodium acetate) and
having a product with a proper strong ion difference (SID).
3. Intravenous fluid therapy can be done easily on farms-
Even with the widespread use of quality oral electrolytes,
some calves will still need intravenous fluids to survive. While
this is traditionally difficult to accomplish on farms, the advent
of hypertonic saline and hypertonic sodium bicarbonate has
simplified fluid therapy protocols. Veterinarians and producers
can effectively rehydrate calves and restore a normal blood pH
without placing intravenous catheters and administering small-
er volumes (200-400 ml) of fluids IV.
4. Nutrition is important- Many calves with diarrhea starve
to death. While milk is expensive, multiple studies have shown
that increased rates of milk feeding within the first week of life
are critical to not only reduce the incidence of diarrhea but
reduce the duration of diarrhea and improve survival rates.
Farmers can improve the plane of nutrition their calves receive
either by increasing the volume of milk calves receive or by im-
proving the quality (protein) of milk replacer (or both). Not only
will calves be in better body condition and better able to toler-
ate diarrhea, but they have a more robust immune response to
the pathogen causing disease.
5. Antibiotics have been overused with calf diarrhea in the
past- For years the dairy industry would feed antibiotics such
as tetracycline and neomycin to treat and/or prevent diarrhea.
Although there is little scientific evidence to support this prac-
tice, most countries now prohibit the routine feeding of anti-
microbials to young calves in an attempt to practice judicious
use of drugs and limit the emergence of resistant bacteria. It
is also important to point out that rotavirus and Cryptosporidi-
um parvum remain the leading causes of diarrhea around the
world and are not susceptible to antimicrobials. Therefore,
most calves with diarrhea don’t need antibiotics to be treated
successfully. However, a certain percentage of calves with di-
arrhea will develop septicemia (usually E. coli), which can be
a significant cause of mortality. In conclusion, antimicrobials
are indicated only in selected calves that indicate diarrhea plus
other clinical signs suggestive of septicemia (for example fe-
ver, blood in the manure, severe depression, etc).
6. Manipulating the gut-brain axis- The next frontier in
treating calf diarrhea will be effectively exploiting the gut-brain
axis to develop therapeutic strategies for preventing and/
or treating diarrhea. Although probiotic research to this point
hasn’t been extremely successful in treating diarrhea, studies
with fecal microbiota transplantation or feeding rumen fluid to
calves have shown promise in reducing the severity and dura-
tion of diarrhea. Moving forward, research to figure out how to
effectively and economically manipulate the gut-brain axis or
microbiome of calves to limit diarrhea will be critical. Or said
another way – what can I feed a calf to prevent or treat diar-
rhea effectively.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
22
K07
Flotation Tank Use in the Management of the Down Cow
Simon Peek.
University of Wisconsin, USA.
Session Objectives: To briefly review the causes of re-
cumbency and indications for flotation tank use in dairy cattle,
providing context for downer cow management on US dairies
(1). Provide retrospective information on approximately 200
recumbent dairy cattle managed by flotation tank over the last
20 years at the University of Wisconsin in the last 20 years (2).
Introduction: Over roughly the last two decades, flotation
tanks have become more widely available as a management
tool for non-ambulatory cattle. Multiparous dairy cattle are
the most common candidates for flotation, in whom the well-
known peri and post-parturient metabolic conditions are the
most significant causes of recumbency. Dystocia related injury
to the pelvis, spine and lumbosacral spinal cord, especially in
primaparous heifers, in addition to musculoskeletal injury in
cattle of any age are also potential causes of initial recumben-
cy that can result in an individual becoming non-ambulatory.
Whereas flotation tanks were once the exclusive province of
university teaching hospitals they are now widely available
through private practices, and commercial businesses, espe-
cially in dairy dense areas of the US. Their appeal lies in the
buoyant, evenly distributed support that water provides. Of
direct relevance to the topic of non-ambulatory cattle are con-
cerns over animal welfare. Non-ambulatory dairy cattle can
be a major challenge on any dairy farm, particularly on larger
facilities where their housing and nursing needs make them
labor intensive. Surveys on health and management practices
across the United States highlight that whilst approximately
70% of all dairy operations had at least one down cow (defined
as a non-ambulatory individual for greater than 24 hours), that
proportion increased with size of operation; 81% of operations
between 100 and 499 head, and 97% of farms with greater
than 500 head had at least one individual so affected. Collated
data from owner responses report that approximately 60% of
cattle recumbent for more than 24 hours fail to survive, consis-
tent with other studies that identify recumbency as not only a
health and welfare issue but a significant contributor to culling
losses.
Previous Literature and Retrospective Study: There
have been two notable previous retrospective studies from
North American teaching hospitals (Cornell University (Burton
et al 2009) and University of Montreal (Puerto-Parada et al
2021) examining the use of flotation tanks in the management
of down cows. These identified survival rates to discharge
of 37% and 55% respectively with comparable referral dairy
cattle caseloads to our own at the University of Wisconsin.
Other important findings in these papers included the obser-
vation that cattle who could stand after the first flotation event
were 5 times more likely to survive as those that could not
(Burton et al 2009), alongside an increased odds of non-sur-
vival when cattle were referred only after an extended period
of recumbency, or when they demonstrated specific clinical
or clinicopathologic abnormalities suggestive of a worsened
status including tachycardia, tachypnea, hypothermia, elevat-
ed muscle enzymes or increased creatinine (Puerta-Parada

2021). Our own recent investigation into almost 200 cases
identified a comparable survival rate of 47% to discharge from
our hospital. We were also able to identify differences in out-
come according to cause, specifically cattle recumbent due to
calving paralysis or metabolic derangements (hypocalcemia
and ketosis for example) being approximately 10 and 22 times
more likely to survive respectively than those with certain or-
thopedic/musculoskeletal conditions. Appetite and the ability
to walk out of the flotation tank after the first floatation session
were variables retained in a final multivariate variable model
in our study.
Conclusion: In many countries worldwide, intensification
of the dairy industry is leading towards a smaller number of
larger dairy farms. The US experience suggest that this in-
creases the likelihood that non-ambulatory cattle will be en-
countered – one method of management includes the use of
flotation tanks. This equipment has dramatically increased in
availability in the US within the last 25 years. Prompt and ap-
propriate use, alongside timely identification of cattle with poor
prognostic indicators can reduce unnecessary animal suffer-
ing and treatment costs. Large referral based studies suggest
that survival rates of 40-55% are achievable, and that rela-
tively easy to identify parameters within the first 24 hours of
flotation can be used to guide decision making.
References: Available on request.
K08
BRD Diagnostic and Treatment Approaches in Dairy Calves
Geof Smith.
North Carolina State University, Raleigh, USA.
BRD remains an economically significant disease in dairy
calves and multiple studies have shown that it has a significant
long-term economic impact on the future productivity of that
heifer. Calves that have been treated for pneumonia have a
greater age at first calving, a higher cull rate and lower milk
production than calves from the same herd that were not treat-
ed for BRD. While prevention of respiratory disease is critical,
veterinarians need to be able to work with producers to recog-
nize disease promptly and institute successful treatment pro-
grams. This presentation will highlight research over the past
10 years on key approaches to diagnosing and treating respi-
ratory disease in the dairy calf. Key principles are as follows:
1. Early diagnosis is critical- The earlier BRD can be rec-
ognized, the higher the chances of treatment success. With
early treatment we also hope to minimize the long-term dam-
age done to lung tissue which may further reduce the animals’
potential for milk production in the future. There have been
a number of clinical scoring systems developed that farmers
can use to identify calves that need treated. In addition, lung
ultrasound of dairy calves has been developed which can
easily be implemented on farm. Ultrasound can be utilized to
answer several questions such as which calves need treated
for pneumonia, how effective are farm employees at identify-
ing pneumonia, what age is BRD beginning in the herd, are
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
KEYNOTE LECTURES — Internal Medicine & Toxicology
calves responding appropriately to treatment and which calves
have chronic lung damage and need to be culled. Ensuring
that veterinarians work with farmers to establish some type
of system to recognize pneumonia early is critical to ensure a
good outcome.
2. Culture and sensitivity data from nasal swabs or calves
that have died from BRD are likely unreliable- For years we
have used culture and sensitivity data to help establish treat-
ment protocols for various farms which often come from na-
sal swabs or lung cultures taken from dead calves previously
treated with antimicrobials. It’s becoming clear that these data
may be unreliable. Studies show that bacteria in the upper air-
way may be quite different than what is actually in the lungs
and either transtracheal wash or bronchoalvelolar lavage tech-
niques are much more reliable. Furthermore, the practitioner
often finds resistant pathogens in lung cultures from calves
treated with antimicrobials, however these organisms are of-
ten not representative of the actual bacteria causing disease
within the herd. There is extremely limited data present in
calves that shows diagnostic testing and susceptibility results
are positively correlated with treatment outcome. While deter-
mining which pathogens are present in a herd is still helpful,
establishing goals for treatment success and monitoring out-
comes of therapy may be more effective than relying on sus-
ceptibility testing to design protocols.
3. We need to consider treating calves longer for BRD-
Several studies using ultrasound have shown that many calves
treated for BRD continue to have lung lesions despite an ap-
parent resolution of clinical signs. There is also an increasing
prevalence of Mycoplasma bovis found in dairy calves asso-
ciated with BRD. We know that Mycoplasma is able to persist
for weeks after calves are initially infected. It is able to evade
the immune system and survive in necrotic areas of the lung.
With the development on long-acting macrolide antibiotics, it
has become common that calves receive a single antimicrobi-
al treatment lasting 7-10 days. New research would suggest
that many of these calves would do better with 2-3 weeks of
therapy and perhaps as long as 30 days.
4. Minimizing stress is critical- There is a significant body
of data showing that various causes of stress including weath-
er, transport, nutrition, overcrowding and other diseases (like
diarrhea) significantly increase the risk for BRD. Data also in-
dicates that some calves are able to tolerate stress better than
others. For example, one study demonstrated that calves with
elevated cortisol concentrations upon arrival to a veal farm
had a significantly increased risk of developing severe pneu-
monia as compared to calves with lower levels of cortisol upon
arrival. We can use this information to limit stress but also as
a way to potentially genetically select for calves that may be
more resistant to developing BRD over time.
23
KEYNOTE LECTURES — Immunology and Vaccines
Immunology and Vaccines
K09
Bovine Immune System and the Implications for Disease
Resistance
Ángel Abuelo Sebio.
Michigan State University, Dewitt, USA.
The ability of cows to resist the establishment of mastitis
is related, in part, to the efficiency of their immune system.
However, many aspects of bovine innate and acquired host
defenses are suboptimal in the transition period that contrib-
utes to increased severity and duration of diseases. Health
disorders occurring during this time may greatly impact the
productive efficiency of dairy cattle in the ensuing lactation.
Therefore, it is not surprising that considerable research ef-
forts have focused on defining how host defenses change as
a consequence of the lactation cycle and understanding those
factors that may contribute to immune dysfunction during this
critical period. The immune system consists of a variety of bi-
ological components and processes that serve to protect dairy
cows from pathogens. The primary roles of the mammary
immune system are to prevent microbial invasion, eliminate
existing infections and other sources of cellular injury, and re-
store tissues to normal function. In cows, the immune system
utilizes a multifaceted network of physical, cellular, and soluble
factors to facilitate defense against a diverse array of microbial
challenges. This integrated system of defense mechanisms is
highly regulated to maintain a delicate balance between the
activation of immunity needed to prevent the establishment of
disease and resolution of activity once the threat of invasion
has passed. This presentation will provide a brief overview of
the bovine immune system, describe how suboptimal immune
responses can fail to prevent infections, and outline current
strategies to optimize immune responses in dairy cows during
times of increased susceptibility to disease.
K10
Transcriptomics to define mechanisms of bovine respiratory
disease (BRD) resistance
Amelia R. Woolums1, Matthew Scott2, Cypriana Swiderski3, Andy
Perkins1, Bindu Nanduri1, Brandi Karisch1.
Mississippi State University, USA; 2Texas A&M University VERO,
1
USA; 3University of Arizona, USA.
Objectives: Our objectives were to define gene expres-
sion profiles identified in transcriptomes from whole blood
collected from beef cattle at high risk for bovine respiratory
disease (BRD) on the day they were received after purchase
(“at arrival”) and develop a disease prediction model from BRD
occurrence within 28 days after arrival.
Materials and Methods: Seven groups of mixed-breed
beef cattle weighing 182 – 273 kg were purchased from local
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
24
auction markets between the years of 2015 and 2020. Blood
was collected on arrival via jugular venipuncture and was
stored Tempus Blood RNA Tubes at -80 C. Cattle received
conventional management, with some groups receiving vac-
cines or antimicrobials at arrival for BRD control. Cattle were
examined daily for clinical signs of BRD and were treated if
needed per standardized protocols. After 60 – 85 days, cattle
that had been treated 0, 1, or 2 or more times, or died or were
euthanized due to BRD (Healthy, Treated_1, or Treated_2+)
were identified, and a sample of each group (n = 5 to 115)
was selected for RNA sequencing or NanoString nCounter
gene expression profiling of banked blood samples. All RNA
was isolated with Tempus Spin RNA isolation kits via manu-
facturer’s instruction. RNA sequencing and NanoString probe-
based expression analysis were performed with captured and
prepared polyadentylated mRNA. After data processing of
sequenced reads via a HISAT2/StringTie pipeline, differen-
tially expressed genes (DEGs; FDR < 0.05) between Healthy,
Treated_1, and Treated_2+ cattle were identified using edg-
eR +/- DESeq2 likelihood ratio testing. NanoString gene ex-
pression output was normalized and statistically analyzed
with nSolver Advanced Analysis Software v4.0 in accordance
with the nSolver Gene Expression Data Analysis Guidelines
(p<0.05). The relationship between DEG and treatment group
was evaluated with multiclass receiver operating characteris-
tics (ROC) curve analysis, and development of a decision tree
model based on expression of 6 genes (HERC6, IFI6, ISG15,
MX1, LOC100297044, and CFB).
Results: Over all seven groups of cattle, genes related
to production of specific proresolving mediators (SPM) and
antimicrobial peptide production were upregulated in Healthy
cattle relative to Treated_1 and/or Treated_2+ cattle. Genes
related to type I interferon production, complement factor B,
and proinflammatory processes were upregulated in Treat-
ed_2 cattle relative to Healthy and/or Treated_1 cattle. Ex-
pression profiles in Treated_1 cattle were similar in some ways
to Healthy, and in some ways to Treated_2+, suggesting that
clinical diagnosis may have misclassified some Treated_1 cat-
tle. The decision tree model classified Treated_2+ cattle with
90% accuracy.
Conclusions: Analysis of whole blood transcriptomes in
cattle at arrival reveals differential expression of genes that
consistently differentiate cattle that go on to stay healthy, or
require BRD treatment. To date our analysis has most reliably
predicated Treated_2+ cattle; this may be due to misclassifi-
cation of some Healthy and Treated_1 by clinical diagnosis. In
future research we plan to evaluate blood and airway gene ex-
pression simultaneously in cattle with BRD, or at risk for BRD,
to refine our understanding of the relationship between DEG
in blood and lung inflammation. Specific proresolving mediator
expression may protect cattle from BRD; this hypothesis war-
rants further investigation. 

K11
Impact of Oxidative Stress on Inflammation and Immunity
Ángel Abuelo Sebio.
Michigan State University, Dewitt, USA.
Increased incidence of several economically important
diseases (i.e., mastitis, metritis, displaced abomasum and ke-
tosis) cause significant pre-harvest production losses in tran-
sition dairy cattle and decreases the availability of safe and
nutritious food for a growing global population. A major under-
lying factor responsible for the development of transition cow
disorders is metabolic stress, which occurs when cows fail to
adapt physiologically to an increase in energy requirements
needed for parturition and the onset of copious milk synthesis
and secretion. Metabolic stress can be characterized as result-
ing from the combined effects of altered nutrient metabolism,
dysfunctional inflammatory responses, and oxidative stress.
Together, these factors form destructive feedback loops that
exacerbate metabolic stress and cause health disorders in
transition cows. A better understanding of how nutrition and
immunology interact to influence metabolic stress will facili-
tate the development of control programs to improve transition
cow health. The ability to detect signs of metabolic stress early
enough in the dry period to implement needed management
adjustments prior to calving will be the key to successive mon-
itoring and intervention programs. This presentation will focus
on the impact of oxidative stress has on inflammation and im-
munity and how controlling oxidative stress can assist in im-
proving dairy cattle health during the periparturient period.
K12
Sheep farmer-vet engagement - maximising mutual value
Fiona Lovatt.
Flock Health Ltd., Barnard Castle, UK.
With over 15 million breeding ewes in the UK, the sheep in-
dustry is a significant livestock sector that fits well on the mar-
ginal uplands or alongside arable rotations or other agricultural
enterprises. However historically, there was the danger of a
‘downward spiral’ in which sheep farmers perceived that veter-
inarians were expensive and neither sufficiently interested nor
expert enough to contribute to the success of the sheep en-
terprise. Further research suggested that many veterinarians
did not have much contact with their sheep farmer clients, they
do not believe themselves to be sufficiently knowledgeable or
expert enough to be proactive and they do not necessarily be-
lieve that farmers will pay for their services.  RH)-based and estradiol-based, both of which are combined
Sheep farmers who did see the benefit of regular veter-
inary involvement, suggested that a proactive veterinarian
might work with groups of smaller flocks and this initiated the
launch of the concept of Flock Health Clubs.
Objective 1: Can this spiral could be reversed to the ben-
efit of both sheep farmers and sheep vets.  in beef cattle. Ovulations are usually induced in these proto-
Objective 2: Are Flock Health Clubs beneficial to farm-
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
KEYNOTE LECTURES — Immunology and Vaccines
er-vet relationships and flock health and welfare.
Materials and methods: Qualitative and quantitative data
were collected from veterinary surgeons and sheep farmers
by means of interviews and electronic surveys to assess the
impact of Flock Health Clubs.
Results: Since May 2018, 115 veterinary surgeons have
reported running an active Flock Health Club, predominantly
in UK but also in Ireland, Canada and Norway.
Both farmers and veterinary surgeons are positive about
the contribution their Flock Health Club has made towards im-
proved farmer–veterinary surgeon relationships and commu-
nications with respect to sheep health and practices, resulting
in more opportunities for veterinarians to work proactively with
sheep farmers.
Positive changes in management practices included re-
ducing flock lameness, increased farmer confidence in their
ability to deal with lameness and a reduction in inappropriate
medicine use.
Conclusions suggest that setting up a Flock Health Club
within a practice has significant and measurable flock health
benefits which result from its ability to transform the relation-
ship between sheep farmers and veterinary surgeons to im-
prove mutual confidence and motivation. They are considered
to be constructive environments for both farmer peer to peer
learning and veterinary-based knowledge exchange.
K13
Effect of Estrus Expression and Estradiol Exposure on
pregnancy rates in Beef Cattle
Gabriel Bo.
Instituto de Reproducción Animal Córdoba (IRAC), Zona Rural
General Paz, (5145) Córdoba, Argentina. Instituto de Ciencias Básicas,
Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional de Villa María, Villa del
Rosario, Córdoba, Argentina
Synchronization of estrus and the timing of fixed-time
artificial insemination (FTAI) and ovulation are reproductive
technologies that have been utilized successfully to improve
reproductive performance in beef herds. The main advantage
of FTAI in beef cattle has been the possibility of obtaining high
pregnancy rates to AI (P/AI) without the necessity of estrus
detection, which has been a challenge that has affected the
widespread application of AI in beef cattle world-wide.
There are basically two types of FTAI protocols current-
ly used in beef cattle; gonadotropin realizing hormone (Gn-
with the use of progesterone (P4) releasing devices. Although
FTAI is usually done without estrus detection, low pregnancy
rates have been reported when expression of estrus was low
in beef cattle treated with GnRH-based protocols. In South
America, estradiol/P4-based protocols are commonly used to
synchronize follicular wave emergence and ovulation for FTAI
cols with a low dose of estradiol cypionate (ECP) administered
25
KEYNOTE LECTURES — Immunology and Vaccines
at the time of removal of the P4 device. Although ECP may
induce expression of estrus in some cattle, the occurrence of
estrus at the time of FTAI after P4 device removal has been
associated with greater P/AI. The failure to show behavioral
estrus after the removal of the P4 device in cows induced to
ovulate with ECP may be because of low production of es-
tradiol associated with a small dominant follicle. Furthermore,
elevated preovulatory estradiol concentrations have been re-
ported to have a positive impact on subsequent conceptus
development, with cows exhibiting estrus having a greater
conceptus length when compared to those not exhibiting es-
trus. We performed three experiments to evaluate the effects
of expression of estrus and gonadotropin releasing hormone
(GnRH) treatment on pregnancies per AI (P/AI) in beef cattle
that were treated with an estradiol/P4-based protocol for FTAI.
In Experiment 1, ovulation, as determined by ultrasonography,
occurred earlier in cows that showed estrus (68.0 ± 2.5 h) than
in cows that did not (82.0 ± 2.1 h, P < 0.05). Furthermore,
cows that received GnRH ovulated earlier (78.0 ± 2.6 h) than
those that did not (86.0 ± 2.0, P < 0.05). Experiment 2, P/
AI was greater (P < 0.01) in animals that were observed in
estrus by 48 h (56.4%) than in those that did not show estrus
(46.5%). Likewise, animals that did not show estrus but were
treated with GnRH had greater P/AI (53.8%, P < 0.04) than
those that did not receive GnRH (37.9%). Experiment 3 was
designed to determine the effect of delaying GnRH treatment
to the time of FTAI (at 56 h) in cows not showing estrus by
48 h after P4 device removal. Cows that showed estrus by
48 h or 56 h had greater P/AI (62.3%, P < 0.05) than those
did not show estrus (51.5%). Furthermore, when cows that did
not show estrus by 48 h were analyzed separately, P/AI were
greater (P < 0.05) in those that received GnRH at 48 h and
were FTAI by 56 h (64.9%) than in those that received GnRH
concurrent with FTAI by 56 h after device removal (54.6%). Fi-
nally, another experiment evaluated the effect of expression of
estrus on pregnancy rates to embryo transfer (P/ET) and preg-
nancy loses up to parturition in recipients synchronized with
two estradiol-based protocols. In this experiment, pregnancy
was determined at 30 and 60 d by ultrasonography, and all
pregnant recipients were followed until parturition to determine
pregnancy losses during gestation. Overall, 88.0% (357/407)
of the recipients synchronized showed estrus and a greater P/
ET (P = 0.05) was found in the recipients that showed estrus
(39.0%) vs. those that did not show estrus (26.0%). Pregnancy
losses were lower (P = 0.01) and the calving rate was higher
(P = 0.01) in recipients that showed estrus (25.0% and 29.3%,
respectively) than in those that did not (88.8% and 2.9%, re-
spectively). In summary, expression of estrus was associated
with earlier ovulations and resulted in greater P/AI. Further-
more, the studies performed in embryo recipients have shown
that expression of estrus was also associated with a greater P/
ET, lower embryo/fetal losses and greater calving rates.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
26
K14
Presynchronization strategies in beef cattle: Optimizing
hormonal response and fertility to FTAI
A Garcia-Guerra, E. Rojas Canadas, A. E. Crist
Department of Animal Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus,
OH, USA.
In many countries, ovulation synchronization protocols for
fixed timed artificial insemination (FTAI), rely solely on the uti-
lization of GnRH for the control of follicle development. Devel-
opment of GnRH based synchronization protocols hinges on
the premise that administration of the initial GnRH will induce
ovulation resulting in the emergence of a new follicular wave
~ 2 days later, and therefore, ensuring the presence of a new,
synchronized, dominant follicle at the final GnRH administra-
tion. Results from research on suckled beef cows indicate that
cows in which ovulation occurs after initial GnRH have a larger
dominant follicle and increased circulating estradiol (E2) con-
centrations at the time of the final GnRH. Despite the afore-
mentioned benefits, the proportion of cows that have ovulation
in response to the initial GnRH rarely exceeds ~60% and can
be as low as ~25%. Ovulatory response after GnRH adminis-
tration in cattle is affected by follicular size and maturational
status, as well as circulating concentrations of both proges-
terone (P4) and E2. In this regard, elevated circulating P4 re-
duces the magnitude of the GnRH-induced LH surge and the
resulting ovulatory response. As a result, presynchronization
strategies have been designed, mainly for dairy cattle, to im-
prove ovulatory response to the initial GnRH by promoting the
presence of a growing dominant follicle or reducing circulating
P4. Thus, we conducted a series of studies to evaluate the ef-
fect of a presynchronization strategy designed to promote the
presence of a growing dominant follicle and reduced circulat-
ing P4 in order to maximize ovulatory response to GnRH and
consequently improve synchronization and fertility to FTAI.
The presynchronization strategy utilized consists in the inser-
tion of a P4 device for 6 days, and PGF administration at the
time of P4 device removal 48 hours before initiation of a 6-day
CO-Synch protocol (P4 Presynch + 6-day CO-Synch). The
6-day CO-Synch utilized was as follows: d-9 (insertion of a
P4 device + GnRH); d-3 (P4 device removal + PGF); d0 (FTAI
+ GnRH). Utilization of the P4 Presynch + 6-day CO-Synch
in suckled beef cows improved (P<0.01) pregnancies per AI
(P/AI) compared to utilization of the 6-day CO-Synch without
presynchronization (64.4% vs 54.8%, respectively), despite
no differences (P>0.20) in estrous expression (65% vs 62%,
respectively). Yearling beef heifers that were presynchronized
had greater estrous expression (84.9% vs 72.4%; P<0.01) and
tended to have greater P/AI (55.4% vs 47.5%; P=0.07) than
heifers receiving the 6-day CO-Synch alone. Subsequent-
ly, we evaluated the effect of a simpler presynchronization
strategy consisting of PGF 48 h before initiation of the 6-day
CO-Synch (PGF Presynch + 6-day CO-Synch). Suckled beef
cows and yearling heifers were randomly assigned to one of
the following groups: P4 Presynch + 6-day CO-Synch; PGF
Presynch + 6-day CO-Synch; or 6-day CO-Synch. Cows in the
P4 Presynch + 6-day CO-Synch group had greater (P<0.01)
P/AI (66.1%) than cows in the PGF Presynch + 6-day CO-
Synch (56.7%) and 6-day CO-Synch (51.5%) groups. Simi-

larly, heifers in the P4 Presynch + 6-day CO-Synch group
had greater (P=0.02) P/AI (67.6%) than heifers in the PGF
Presynch + 6-day CO-Synch (53.4%) and 6-day CO-Synch
(54.4%) groups. In conclusion, incorporation of presynchroni-
zation strategies using a P4 device and PGF before initiation
of a CO-Synch treatment regimen significantly improves fertili-
ty to FTAI in suckled beef cows and yearling heifers.
K15
Using eCG to increase pregnancy rates in Beef Cattle
Gabriel Bo.
Instituto de Reproducción Animal Córdoba (IRAC), Zona Rural
General Paz, (5145) Córdoba, Argentina. Instituto de Ciencias Básicas,
Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional de Villa María, Villa del
Rosario, Córdoba, Argentina.
Cattle are managed differently in different parts of the
world. Pastoral systems (usually in New Zealand, Australia,
some European countries, South America and beef cattle in
North-America) usually require the maintenance of a seasonal
calving interval of ~12 months. Cows that do not maintain this
calving interval are usually culled as not pregnant, or if two
mating seasons are used, they are often moved to next breed-
ing period. Although this may seem straightforward, the reality
is that it is difficult to impregnate cows shortly after calving so
as to maintain a consistent calving interval without aggressive
interventions. Several hormone treatment protocols have been
developed to control the timing of the first breeding, especially
in cows in anovulatory anestrus (AA). Postpartum cows that
are AA have insufficient pulsatile release of LH to support the
final stages of ovarian follicular development and ovulation,
limiting the effectiveness of fixed-time AI (FTAI) protocols. Ex-
ogenous progestins have been shown to increase LH pulse
frequency during and after treatment leading to ovulation;
however, the efficacy of such treatments can be compromised
in herds with a high proportion of AA cows and those with low
body condition scores. Thus, gonadotropins are often included
in synchronization protocols to improve FSH and LH support.
One of the gonadotropins that has created much discussion is
equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG). This hormone is a large
molecular weight glycoprotein produced by endometrial cups
in the mare. In the mare, eCG has primarily an LH activity,
but in the cow it has either FSH or LH activity, depending on
the receptor populations in the ovary. Although eCG has been
been used to induce superovulation in a variety of species, the
application of eCG at the time of removal of a progesterone
releasing device has been used extensively in fixed-time AI
(FTAI) programs in Bos indicus (300 IU) and Bos taurus (400
IU) beef cattle. The most important effect of eCG is the stim-
ulation of the growth of the dominant follicle which increases
ovulation rate, especially in cows in postpartum anestrus and/
or with low body condition scores (BCS). However, treatment
with eCG also increases circulating progesterone concentra-
tions in the subsequent luteal phase with an associated in-
creased in CL diameter and increased progesterone produc-
tion. It has been shown that treatment with eCG increases the
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
KEYNOTE LECTURES — Immunology and Vaccines
expression of steroidogenic enzymes (P450scc, 3β-HSD and
StAR) in the CL. Other studies have shown beneficial effects
of eCG in fixed-time AI (FTAI) programs in Bos taurus (200 IU)
and Bos indicus (200 IU) prepubertal heifers, and in grazing
dairy cattle, administration of 400 IU eCG resulted in increased
pregnancy rates after the first and second breeding, especially
in AA cows. Although most of the reports on the use of eCG
were in cows synchronized with estradiol and progesterone
releasing devices, the use of eCG has also been reported to
benefit standard GnRH-based synchrony programs in suckled
beef cattle. The addition of eCG was shown to increase preg-
nancy rates in Bos indicus cows in postpartum anestrus treat-
ed in a Co-Synch plus progesterone protocol, in primiparous
Bos taurus cows in Canada and in Bos taurus in Ireland during
the spring breeding season. However, there was no improve-
ment in pregnancy rates in older Bos taurus cows in good
BCS. In another study performed by our group in Argentina,
the use of eCG in a 5-day Co-Synch plus progesterone proto-
col was evaluated in comparison to the standard 8-day estra-
diol/progesterone protocol in 801 suckled beef cows in post-
partum anestrus and 183 suckled beef cows that were cycling.
Cows in the 5-day Co-Synch group were treated with two PGF
and half of the cows received 400 IU of eCG at progesterone
device removal. Cows in the estradiol-based treatment group
received 400 IU of eCG and 1 mg of ECP at progesterone
device removal on Day 8. Cows were FTAI 52 to 56 hours
after device removal in the estradiol group and 72 hours after
device removal in the 5-day Co-Synch groups. Although no
differences in P/AI were observed in the cycling cows, P/AI in
cows in postpartum anestrus were higher in the groups receiv-
ing eCG (5-day Co-Synch: 46.3%; estradiol: 54.5%) than in
the 5-day Co-Synch group that did not receive eCG (26.8%).
K16
Doppler ultrasonography for pregnancy diagnosis: Setup
and utilization in FTAI programs
A. Garcia-Guerra, S. R. Wellert.
Department of Animal Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus,
OH, USA.
Reproductive management programs in beef cattle em-
ploy pregnancy diagnosis to identify animals which have failed
to conceive in order to make culling decisions or commence
re-breeding. A short interval between breeding and pregnancy
diagnosis is essential to the intensive utilization of fixed time
artificial insemination (FTAI) programs. The earlier non-preg-
nant animals are identified, the sooner steps can be implement-
ed for re-insemination and thus increase overall reproductive
efficiency. Direct methods of pregnancy diagnosis are based
on the identification of conceptus components using transrec-
tal palpation or B-mode ultrasonography. Conversely, indirect
methods are based on the identification of hormones or con-
ceptus-specific substances such as progesterone and preg-
nancy associated glycoproteins, respectively. Ultrasonographic
evaluation of the corpus luteum (CL) and the identification of
luteolysis can serve as an indirect method of non-pregnancy
27
KEYNOTE LECTURES — Buffaloes and Camelids
diagnosis. The reduction in circulating progesterone character-
istic of CL regression is temporally associated with a marked
decrease in CL perfusion which can be identified using color
flow Doppler ultrasonography (CFDU). Thus, CFDU of the CL
has the potential to be used for early pregnancy diagnosis in
order to improve reproductive efficiency and increase the use
of FTAI in beef cattle. A series of experiments were performed
to determine the diagnostic performance of CFDU in beef cattle
and its utilization in a resynchronization program for FTAI. In ex-
periment 1, beef heifers and cows were submitted to FTAI using
a 5-day CO-Synch. At d21, post AI, CFDU of the CL was per-
formed using different settings for Color Flow Mapping (CFM)
and Power Doppler (PWD) which differed in pulse repetition fre-
quency (PRF) as follows: CFM720 (720 Hz); CFM960 (960 Hz);
CFM1500 (1500 Hz) and PWD960 (960 Hz). Cows and heifers
were diagnosed pregnant if color pixels covered >10% of the
periphery of the CL, and contained at least two, color internal
tracts penetrating towards the center of the CL. Sensitivity and
specificity of CFDU were not different (P>0.50) between differ-
ent PRF settings, however, the sensitivity (100%) and specificity
(87.7%) for CFM960 was numerically greater. In experiment 2,
beef heifers were submitted to FTAI using a 5-day CO-Synch
and randomized to receive a CIDR or remain as untreated con-
trols on d15 post AI. Transrectal CFDU of the CL was performed
at 15, 17, 20, and 22 d post AI to determine pregnancy sta-
tus. There was no effect of treatment (P=0.49), day (P=0.99)
or treatment by day interaction (P=0.99) on CFDU sensitivity
(>95%). Conversely, CFDU specificity was different (P<0.01)
between days, although no treatment (P=0.91) or treatment
by day interaction (P=0.82) was identified. Specificity was less
on d15 (20.5%) and increased to reach its maximum at d22
(74.4%). In experiment 3, we evaluated the reproductive per-
formance of beef cattle submitted to an early resynchronization
program for 2nd service using CFDU of the CL for early preg-
nancy diagnosis. Beef heifers and suckled cows were submit-
ted to a 6-day CO-Synch for 1st service and assigned to begin
resynchronization for 2nd service at d16 (Resynch-16) or d25
(Resynch-25). Cattle in the Resynch-16 group received a CIDR
at d16 post 1st FTAI. On d22, CIDRs were removed, pregnancy
diagnosis was performed using CFDU (CFM960) and non-preg-
nant cattle were administered PGF. Cattle in the Resynch-25
group received a CIDR and GnRH at d25 post 1st FTAI. On
d31 CIDR were removed, pregnancy was diagnosed using
B-mode ultrasonography and non-pregnant cattle were admin-
istered PGF. In both groups, non-pregnant cattle were submit-
ted to 2nd FTAI and administered GnRH at 60 (heifers) or 72 h
(cows) after CIDR removal. First service P/AI at d31 tended to
be greater (P=0.07) for Resynch-25 (60.9%) than Resynch-16
(53.5%) cows, while there was no difference (P=0.52) between
groups for heifers (47.2%). Fertility to 2nd service was greater
(P=0.01) for cows submitted to Resynch-25 (28.6%) than Re-
synch-16 (10.4%), however, there were no differences (P=0.25)
between groups for heifers (52.1%). Cumulative P/AI (1st and
2nd service) was greater (P<0.01) for Resynch-25 (72.1%) than
Resynch-16 (57.0%) in cows and tended to be greater (P=0.09)
for Resynch-25 (76.5%) than Resynch-16 (66.1%) in heifers. In
conclusion, CFDU performed at d22 after FTAI has high sensi-
tivity and moderate to high specificity. Although, use of CFDU
and early resynchronization allows for faster re-insemination of
non-pregnant cattle, overall fertility is less than with later resyn-
chronization strategies
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
28
Buffaloes and Camelids
K17
Development of an alpacas breeding program in Peru
Juan Pablo Gutiérrez García.
UCM, Madrid, Spain.
Alpaca is a South American camelid specie bred mainly to
produce noble fiber for the textile industry. Suri and Huacaya
are the two genetic types clearly differentiated in their mor-
phology and fiber characteristics, with a higher proportion of
the second one due to its higher robustness. The Suri has long
and lustrous fibers that hang down against its body, while Hua-
caya fiber is crimp and grows perpendicular to the skin. Paco-
marca is an experimental farm founded to act as a selection
nucleus from which basic genetic improvement of alpaca fiber
can spread throughout the rural communities in the Peruvian
Altiplano. State-of-art techniques in animal science, such as
performance recording and genealogical control are applied to
demonstrate their usefulness in improvement programs under
the Altiplano conditions. Searching for new ways of improving
the performance of alpacas both technically and scientifically
is continuously carried out while training courses for farmers
are organized. Pacomarca has developed useful software
(PacoPro) to carry out the integral processing of production
and genealogical data. Mating is carried out individually, and
gestation is diagnosed via ultrasound. Mechanized shearing is
carried out under a specific own developed normative that has
been adopted as national norm, so as the animal is protected
and the fleece value is maximized. Breeding values predicted
from genetic evaluation are used for selection. Selection ob-
jective is decreasing or removing the prickling of the alpaca
fiber, and decreasing fiber diameter has been used as the
main selection criterion during the last decade. Morphological
traits have also been partly considered as part of the selection
criterion. Genetic parameters have been precisely estimated
from the data concerning these and other candidate traits to
selection as well as genetic correlations among them. Fiber
traits heritabilities estimated were moderate to high, those for
morphological traits being moderate, those for reproductive
traits low, and those for weight traits high. Genetic correla-
tions among different type of traits were not relevant except
those between fiber and weight traits that were high and un-
favorable, showing that both productive aptitudes are at odds.
Successful genetic trend has been observed by a reduction of
fiber diameter from 22.5 to 17.9 microns from 2007 to 2019.
Selection objective continues being removing the prickling of
the alpaca fiber, but selection criterion has been moved to re-
ducing the percentage of medulated fiber in the last four years.
After 20 years of intense selection, the variability among the
best 36 sires was still very high concerning different propor-
tions of medullation and fiber diameter, which results promis-
ing. Selection work continues while the farm remains involved
in high research standards for alpaca genetics.

K18
Assisted reproductive technologies in buffaloes: techniques
and outcomes
Pietro Baruselli Sampaio, Lígia Mattos Rebeis, Laís Ângelo De Abreu.
USP, Sao Paolo, Brasil.
Buffaloes present reproductive seasonality and become
sexually active with decreasing days (short days) during
the late summer to early autumn. The use of assisted re-
productive technologies (ART) such as artificial insemination
(AI) and embryo transfer (ET) are important alternatives for
maximizing the genetic gain and productivity of this species.
This review aims to elucidate some aspects of the ART and
their outcomes in buffalo production system. The use of AI
has already proved to be a reliable technology in increasing
genetic progress in buffalo herds. However, the low efficien-
cy of traditional estrus detection system makes this biotech-
nology difficult to be used in this species. Buffaloes present
poor manifestation of the symptoms of estrus, mainly due to
low frequency of homosexual behavior. The use of hormonal
treatments based on GnRH plus PGF2a (Ovsynch protocol)
for timed artificial insemination (TAI) present satisfactory re-
sults in cycling buffalo. However, studies have shown that
anestrous buffaloes synchronized with Ovsynch have a lower
P/AI when compared to cycling buffaloes (20.0 vs. 65.3%).
In contrast, research carried out by our group showed that
the use of protocols based on P4, E2 and eCG can pres-
ent favorable P/AI both in the non-breeding (high presence
of anestrous) and in the breeding season (66.7 vs. 62.7%),
enabling the application of AI throughout the year. ET is an
effective technique in accelerating maternal and paternal ge-
netic gain with a consequent increase in herd productivity. In
buffaloes, however, the production of in vivo-derived (IVD)
embryo has low efficiency. Studies carried out by our group
show that despite responding to superstimulation (average of
15 follicles > 8 mm at the end of FSH treatment) with a moder-
ate ovulation rate (approximately 60%), the embryo recovery
rate (number of embryos and ova recovered per ovulation)
is low (34.8%). While IVD present low efficiency in buffalo,
in vitro production (IVEP) has been studied as an alterna-
tive and positive results have been achieved in recent years.
Historically, the association of follicular aspiration (OPU)
with IVEP presented low results in buffalo when compared
to cattle. However, recent studies show that is possible to
select buffalo donors using different technologies to improve
the ET efficiency. Antral follicle population (AFP) is directly
associated with the number of oocytes recovered by OPU for
IVEP and the number of embryos produced per procedure.
Furthermore, strong relationship between AFP and anti-Mul-
lerian hormone (AMH) was found in buffalo. Studies carried
out by our group suggest that AMH can be considered an
endocrine marker to predict the performance of IVEP in buf-
faloes. Recently, superstimulation with FSH prior to OPU has
been used successfully in IVEP programs in buffalo, resulting
in the increase of total embryos produced per OPU session.
We found that FSH treatment prior to OPU increased the
proportion of medium and large diameter follicles available
for OPU procedure in all buffalo donor categories (heifers,
primiparous and multiparous). Furthermore, FSH treatment
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
KEYNOTE LECTURES — Buffaloes and Camelids
increased the proportion of viable oocytes for culture and
embryos produced per OPU-IVEP session, suggesting that
the use of FSH treatment may be a strategy to improve the
efficiency of OPU/IVEP in buffalo. In addition, another fact to
be considered when evaluating the efficiency of IVEP is the
bull effect. The semen of certain bulls shows high blastocyst
rates and improve the efficiency of the ET programs. The use
of calves as oocyte donors is an important strategy to accel-
erate genetic gain by decreasing generation intervals. We
compared the embryo production of calves (2 to 4 months) in
relation to prepubertal heifers (13 to 15 months) and lactat-
ing buffaloes. Although the embryo rate was lower in calves
compared to prepubertal heifers and lactating buffaloes, the
P/TE was similar between categories (around 35%), which
demonstrates the feasibility of this technique for donor buffa-
lo calves. Therefore, synchronization protocols are designed
to control both luteal and follicular function and permit fixed-
time AI with high pregnancy rates during the buffalo breeding
(autumn-winter) and nonbreeding (spring-summer) season.
In addition, the application of OPU/IVEP is showing promis-
ing results and has become an alternative to superovulation
for in vivo embryo production. Therefore, nowadays AI and
ET can be implemented commercially in buffalo farm to in-
crease the meat and milk production.
K19
Diagnostic and surgical approaches in Italian mediterranean
buffaloes in the field
Antonio Natale.
Freelance, Italy.
Objectives: In the last 70 years in Italy, precisely in Cam-
pania and in the DOP area “(Mozzarella di Bufala Campana
DOP)” the management and managerial techniques of buffalo
breeding (Italian Mediterranean Buffalo) have undergone an
intense acceleration, leading to a profound transformation of
the buffalo breeding, with a numerical increase and genetic
improvement of this species, with appreciable both productive
and reproductive results.
It should be noted that the dairy buffalo (Italian Mediterra-
nean buffalo) and the dairy cow belong to the same suborder,
but are to be considered as two DIFFERENT SPECIES. For
this reason, the approaches to nutrition, reproduction and pro-
duction require different strategies and operations.
Specifying that buffalo milk represents the most important
economic aspect for the farmer, and bearing in mind that the
milk itself has dairy processing as its sole destination, it has
become necessary in recent years to improve both quantity
and quantity in a uniform and substantial way.
To this end, to obtain the protein and lipid increase in milk,
a higher yield, it was essential to make a substantial change
in the forage / concentrate ratio in the diet, resorting more and
more to the concentrates in the ration to meet the needs of the
species (Italian Mediterranean buffalo).
This new nutritional concept has led to the appearance of
29
KEYNOTE LECTURES — Buffaloes and Camelids

those metabolic pathologies typical of high-production dairy
cattle in the buffalo species (Italian Mediterranean buffalo).
That is, technopathies that lead to pathological situations re-
sulting from the alteration of the normal homeostatic balance
of the buffalo.
The topics covered by “(BuBoVet srl)” concern the most
important pathologies of metabolic origin which have an evo-
lution of surgical interest with the relative operative techniques
to be applied in the field: breech pathologies (pododermatitis,
phlegmon, white line diseases, etc.). ) but above all left and
right abomasal dislocation, dilation-dislocation of the cecum,
post-partum uterine prolapse, prolapse of the rectum. Further-
more, “(BuBoVet srl)” describes the most commonly used sur-
gical treatments such as: caesarean section, abdominal sur-
gery in heifers and calves, resolution of distal limb fractures in
buffaloes (Italian Mediterranean buffalo).
Conclusions: The topics covered by “(BuBoVet srl)” con-
cern the most important pathologies of metabolic origin which
have an evolution of surgical interest with the relative opera-
tive techniques to be applied in the field: breech pathologies
(pododermatitis, phlegmon, white line diseases, etc.). ) but
above all left and right abomasal dislocation, dilation-disloca-
tion of the cecum, post-partum uterine prolapse, prolapse of
the rectum. Furthermore, “(BuBoVet srl)” describes the most
commonly used surgical treatments such as: caesarean sec-
tion, abdominal surgery in heifers and calves, resolution of dis-
tal limb fractures in buffaloes (Italian Mediterranean buffalo).
K20
in the forage / concentrate ratio in the diet, resorting more and
more to the concentrates in the ration to meet the needs of the
species (Italian Mediterranean buffalo).
This new nutritional concept has led to the appearance of
those metabolic pathologies typical of high-production dairy
cattle in the buffalo species (Italian Mediterranean buffalo).
That is, technopathies that lead to pathological situations re-
sulting from the alteration of the normal homeostatic balance
of the buffalo.
The topics covered by “(BuBoVet srl)” concern the most
important pathologies of metabolic origin which have an evo-
lution of surgical interest with the relative operative techniques
to be applied in the field: breech pathologies (pododermatitis,
phlegmon, white line diseases, etc.). ) but above all left and
right abomasal dislocation, dilation-dislocation of the cecum,
post-partum uterine prolapse, prolapse of the rectum. Further-
more, “(BuBoVet srl)” describes the most commonly used sur-
gical treatments such as: caesarean section, abdominal sur-
gery in heifers and calves, resolution of distal limb fractures in
buffaloes (Italian Mediterranean buffalo).
Conclusions: The topics covered by “(BuBoVet srl)” con-
cern the most important pathologies of metabolic origin which
have an evolution of surgical interest with the relative opera-
tive techniques to be applied in the field: breech pathologies
(pododermatitis, phlegmon, white line diseases, etc.). ) but
above all left and right abomasal dislocation, dilation-disloca-
tion of the cecum, post-partum uterine prolapse, prolapse of
the rectum. Furthermore, “(BuBoVet srl)” describes the most
commonly used surgical treatments such as: caesarean sec-
tion, abdominal surgery in heifers and calves, resolution of dis-
tal limb fractures in buffaloes (Italian Mediterranean buffalo).

Diagnostic and surgical approached in Italian

Mediterranean Buffaloes in the field (II)
Antonio Natale.
Freelance, Italy.

Objectives: In the last 70 years in Italy, precisely in Cam-

pania and in the DOP area “(Mozzarella di Bufala Campana
DOP)” the management and managerial techniques of buffalo
breeding (Italian Mediterranean Buffalo) have undergone an
intense acceleration, leading to a profound transformation of
the buffalo breeding, with a numerical increase and genetic
improvement of this species, with appreciable both productive
and reproductive results.
It should be noted that the dairy buffalo (Italian Mediterra-
nean buffalo) and the dairy cow belong to the same suborder,
but are to be considered as two DIFFERENT SPECIES. For
this reason, the approaches to nutrition, reproduction and pro-
duction require different strategies and operations.
Specifying that buffalo milk represents the most important
economic aspect for the farmer, and bearing in mind that the
milk itself has dairy processing as its sole destination, it has
become necessary in recent years to improve both quantity
and quantity in a uniform and substantial way.
To this end, to obtain the protein and lipid increase in milk,
a higher yield, it was essential to make a substantial change

31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID

30

Small Ruminants
K21
Ovine anaplasmosis, an emerging disease in Europe
Delia Lacasta Lozano.
Universidad de Zaragoza, Spain.
Ovine anaplasmosis, an emerging disease in Europe, is
being spread quickly through sheep flocks, causing relevant
economic losses. This disease was described in tropical and
subtropical countries as a mild disease that did not produce
relevant clinical signs. However, when this bacterium enters
a naive population, the clinical picture can be much more se-
vere. Since 2014, when an outbreak of ovine anaplasmosis
was diagnosed for the first time in Spain, the number of severe
clinical cases of anaplasmosis has increased.
Anaplasma ovis is an obligate intraerythrocytic Gram-neg-
ative bacteria that belongs to the family Anaplasmataceae.
This species is primarily transmitted by ticks, particularly the
genera Ixodes, Dermacentor, Rhipicephalus and Amblyomma
and can infect sheep, goats and wild ruminants. The bacterium
replicates by binary fission within the erythrocyte and leaves it
using a not well-defined mechanism, but apparently not lytic,
to infect new erythrocytes. Thus, the haemolytic anaemia as-
sociated with this disease results from the immune response.
During the acute phase, the number of infected erythrocytes
doubles every 24-48 hours. However, this is a chronic pro-
cess, and the destruction of the erythrocytes is slow and pro-
gressive, and the animal begins to show noticeable changes
around 30-40 days after infection.
Depending on the naïve immune system, age, and other
still unknown factors, there are animals in which anaemia goes
unnoticed and others in which this disease causes severe clin-
ical signs. The acute phase of the disease is characterised
by nonspecific weakness, depression, a marked loss of body
condition, fever peaks, progressive anaemia and finally, the
death of the animals due to secondary infections. Severely
affected animals that do not die often have to be culled due
to lack of production. There are some flocks where the num-
ber of affected animals can be very high, causing significant
economic losses, especially since the most commonly affect-
ed sheep are yearlings. The infected animals that survive the
infection remain infected for life, maintaining a high bacterial
load in the blood for at least seven years.
Until 2020 the disease had only been diagnosed in adult
sheep in Spain, with the highest incidence in one or two-year-
old animals. However, in 2020, an outbreak of ovine anaplas-
mosis was diagnosed for the first time in fattening lambs. After
the slaughter of apparently healthy three-month-old lambs,
34.84% showed jaundiced carcasses. All tested lambs with
icteric carcasses had severe regenerative anaemia just be-
fore slaughter and showed positive A. ovis PCR with a high
bacterial load in blood. During the spring of 2020, similar clin-
ical cases were diagnosed in different geographical areas of
Spain, reaching percentages close to 2% of lamb carcasses
condemnation due to jaundice at the Mercazaragoza slaugh-
terhouse (Zaragoza, Spain), causing very relevant economic
losses. In the spring of 2021, cases of jaundiced carcasses
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
KEYNOTE LECTURES — Small Ruminants
condemnations were again diagnosed at the slaughterhouse,
reconfirming the presence of A. ovis in affected animals. The
percentage of condemnation in affected flocks is usually close
to 40% during late spring.
A study about possible antibiotic treatments to control an-
aplasmosis in affected lambs was carried out in 2021. Oral
and injectable doxycycline and oxytetracycline were used in
A. ovis infected lambs. It was concluded that injectable oxytet-
racycline and doxycycline reduce the bacterial load of A. ovis
in blood. However, oral doxycycline does not reduce condem-
nations of jaundiced carcasses at the abattoir.
Further studies are needed in treatment and prevencion of
this emerging disease.
K22
Responsible use of medicines in sheep flocks - antibiotics,
anthelmintics, supplements
Fiona Lovatt.
Flock Health Ltd., Barnard Castle, UK.
Responsible use of medicines has been described as us-
ing the ‘right product for the right condition in the right animal
in the right way and at the right time’ or ‘as little as possible but
as much as necessary’.
However arguably, responsible use of medicines is not
necessarily about how to use treatments at all but about how
to ensure good health. To achieve this, the mantra Plan Pre-
vent Protect (Lovatt et al., 2019) has been increasingly widely
adopted to encourage responsible use of medicines. This is an
encouragement to the veterinary surgeon and farmer to plan
ahead, to prevent unnecessary disease, for example though
the provision of a good environment, good hygiene and good
nutrition and to protect the flock through appropriate vaccina-
tion or via the provision of sufficient quality colostrum to neo-
nates.
Improvement in practical antimicrobial stewardship is es-
sential, with clear motivations from both the One Health and
human health perspective. The emergence of antimicrobial re-
sistance (AMR) is widely recognised as a leading global health
threat with significant implications for the future of both human
and veterinary medicine.
It has been suggested (O Neill, 2016) that, by 2050, there
will be 10 million global human deaths annually due to AMR.
This projected figure is backed up by a Lancet report (Mur-
ray et al., 2022) that estimates that, in 2019, there were 1.27
million human deaths directly attributable to, and 4.95 million
associated with, bacterial AMR.
Already we know that there are flocks and farms as well
as individual people and animals that carry bacteria resistant
to many of the commonly known antibiotics (eg. Duncan et
al., 2019) and we know that AMR can pass between differ-
ent bacteria with no respect of species barrier or geographical
boundaries.
From a veterinary point of view, practitioners are increas-
31
KEYNOTE LECTURES — Small Ruminants
ingly finding common conditions that are resistant to available
antimicrobials with implications that compromise animal health
and welfare and have consequential impacts on the mental
well-being of veterinary practitioners, their wider practice team
and their clients.
In the UK, the responsible use of antimicrobials throughout
the livestock sectors have been a focus for the last six years,
though arguably it has followed the sustainable use of para-
siticides, which led the charge in 2003 via standards set by
the multi-stakeholder group SCOPS (Sustainable Control of
Parasites in Sheep).
Worm control on sheep farms is a particular challenge due
to the ready availability of cheap anthelmintics. However, in-
creasing anthelmintic resistance means that sustainable lamb
production requires a more complicated model than worked in
the past. Sheep farmers are no longer able to stick to rigid for-
mat of three weekly dosing with the cheapest drench and there
is increasingly a need for them to work with trusted advisors
such as veterinarians to future-proof their enterprise, to devel-
op sustainable worm control plans and only to treat based on
diagnostic evidence.
For sustainable progress in the responsible use of all med-
icines, it is essential that veterinarians, the gate-keepers of
animal health and welfare, are empowered to make good de-
cisions, to communicate well and to work collaboratively with
both farmers and colleagues.
K23
Differential diagnosis of lower respiratory tract diseases in
adult sheep
Delia Lacasta Lozano.
Universidad de Zaragoza, Spain.
Due to its particular anatomy and physiology, multiple
diseases settle in the respiratory system of small ruminants,
which entails wide and varied differential diagnoses of these
disorders. This, coupled with the difficulties involved in differ-
entiating the clinical signs, makes the differential diagnosis of
respiratory diseases challenging. In this context, diagnostic
imaging techniques become a very useful tool to reach the
final clinical diagnosis of these conditions.
As most of the diseases that settle in the lung produce
very similar clinical signs, it is crucial to perform a comprehen-
sive clinical examination of the respiratory system. Depending
on the severity of the process, mixed or expiratory dyspnea
and tachypnea will be common clinical signs of all lower tract
diseases. The cough and the adventitious sounds (crackles,
rhonchi, and wheezes) will help us differentiate if it is a produc-
tive or non-productive disorder, which will be critical to guide a
proper diagnosis.
PRODUCTIVE DISORDERS:
• Ovine Respiratory complex (ORC) is a complex dis-
ease process involving a range of host-pathogen-en-
vironment interactions (HPE). Several commensal
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
32
microorganisms have been associated with ORC:
Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, Biber-
steinia trehalosi and Mycoplasma sp., usually in mixed
isolations. The ORC has three clinical forms of pre-
sentation: hyperacute, causing sudden deaths, acute,
with fever, anorexia, depression, lethargy and severe
respiratory clinical signs and the chronic form, causing
mixed dyspnea, cough and chronic weight loss.
• Ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma (OPA) is a conta-
gious lung cancer of sheep caused by jaagsiekte sheep
retrovirus (JSRV). OPA-affected sheep show signs of
an afebrile respiratory condition associated with loss of
weight. Initially, mixed dyspnoea and moist respiratory
sounds (crackles and rhonchi), caused by the accumu-
lation of fluid in the respiratory airways, are detected.
In the final stages, variable amounts of frothy seromu-
cous pulmonary fluid are discharged from the nostrils
when the sheep’s head is lowered (wheelbarrow test).
• Aspiration (gangrenous) pneumonia is caused by
inhalation of foreign materials, producing inflamma-
tion and necrosis of the lung parenchyma. Most of the
microorganisms producing gangrenous pneumonia
are normal inhabitants of the nasopharynx or the en-
vironment, being Trueperella pyogenes, Pasteurella
multocida and Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae, the most
frequently isolated microorganisms. Respiratory signs
may include coughing, mixed or expiratory dyspnea,
crackles and rhonchi when the process progresses
sufficiently; abnormal breath odour can be detected
suggestive of the necrotising exudates.
NON-PRODUCTIVE DISORDERS:
• Pulmonary form of lentivirosis. The respiratory clin-
ical form of lentivirosis (SRLV) is the most prevalent,
and it is generally seen in adult animals (≥2 years old).
Animals with pulmonary lentivirosis show dyspnea and
tachypnea, weakness, loss of weight and delay in walk-
ing with the flock. No cough, nasal discharge or fever is
observed in uncontaminated cases. However, multiple
concurrent diseases such as OPA, CRO or gangre-
nous pneumonia can be present, thus complicating the
clinical diagnosis of the disease.
• Visceral form of Caseous lymphadenitis (CLA), is
caused by Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis. In
the visceral form, most of the affected animals had le-
sions in the respiratory system. For that reason, this
disease is also included in the differential diagnosis of
lower respiratory tract diseases. Respiratory clinical
signs associated with CLA are often not readily rec-
ognised because only dyspnoea is detected without
audible sounds of the thoracic cavity.
• Verminous pneumonia. The main pulmonary para-
sites of sheep are Dictyocaulus filaria, Protostrongylus
rufescens and Muellerius capillaris.
In productive disorders with moist cough and adventitious
sounds, the wheelbarrow test must be carried out to confirm
or rule out OPA. In addition, the exhaled air after coughing
must be smelled to detect necrotising processes associated
with gangrenous pneumonia. If both diseases are ruled out,
the most likely cause of the disease will be ORC. In the case

of non-productive disorders, the symptoms are pretty inappar-
ent, and the clinical diagnosis is challenging. Ultrasonography
is an advantageous diagnostic technique that can be easily
applied in farm conditions. The etiological diagnosis can be
made in living animals by bronchoalveolar lavage or after nec-
ropsy with an aseptic sampling of affected lung tissue and me-
diastinal lymph nodes.
K24
mRNA therapy to induce passive immunity in ruminants
Amelia R. Woolums1, Merrilee Thoresen1, E. Heath King1, Santiago
Cornejo1, Hannah E. Peck2, Daryll Vanover2, Philip J. Santangelo2.
Mississippi State University, USA; 2Emory University, USA.
1
Objectives: Our objective was to determine whether mes-
senger RNA (mRNA) treatment of a ruminant mucosal surface
could lead to rapid expression of antibody, which could provide
passive immunity to infection within hours of treatment.
Materials and Methods: Initial studies were conducted
in sheep. Yearling non-pregnant Kathadin-cross ewes were
treated intravaginally with a topical spray of mRNA encoding
a broadly neutralizing antibody to human immunodeficiency
virus. Subsequently, Holstein calves weighing 127 – 172 kg
were treated by respiratory aerosol with mRNA encoding a
neutralizing antibody to influenza. At 24 hours or later times
post treatment, animals were euthanized to evaluate expres-
sion of antibody on treated mucosal surfaces.
Results: In both sheep and cattle, expression of neutral-
izing antibody on treated mucosal surfaces was confirmed
within 24 hours after treatment. In cattle treated by respira-
tory aerosol, expression was widely evident in the treated
lung. Microscopic evaluation indicated that mucosal epithelial
cells were transfected by the topically applied mRNA and then
expressed antibody. Treated animals showed no adverse re-
actions during treatment, and no evidence of inflammation in
treated tissues was evident postmortem.
Conclusions: While studies to date have evaluated ex-
pression of antibodies to human pathogens, they nevertheless
demonstrate that ruminants can be induced to produce spe-
cific neutralizing antibodies rapidly after topical treatment of
mucosal epithelia with mRNA. This approach merits further in-
vestigation as a method to provide rapid local protection from
a variety of infectious agents.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
KEYNOTE LECTURES — Reproduction in Dairy Cattle
Reproduction in Dairy Cattle
K27
The implications of spontaneous versus synchronized
ovulations on the reproductive performance of high-
producing dairy cows
Paul Fricke.
University of Wisconsin – Madison, USA.
In species classified as induced ovulators, the LH surge
is induced by the act of coitus thereby precisely timing insem-
ination relative to ovulation. Lactating dairy cows are sponta-
neous ovulators. Thus, the LH surge is induced by a cascade
of endocrine events beginning with an increase in follicular
estradiol in the absence of luteal progesterone, a GnRH surge
from the hypothalamus is then followed by an LH surge from
the anterior pituitary, followed by ovulation. Increased estra-
diol in the absence of progesterone causes behavioral estrus
which is manifested by increased physical activity and stand-
ing to be mounted. Detection of behavioral estrus either visu-
ally, through the use of estrus detection aids, or via automated
activity monitoring systems is widely used to determine tim-
ing of AI. Cow-related factors that limit service rates include
the association of high milk production and duration of estrus,
ovulation failure after estrus, ovulation in the absence of be-
havioral estrus, and anovular conditions which affect 20% to
30% of dairy cows at the end of the voluntary waiting period.
One factor that limits fertility to spontaneous estrus is the high
variation among cows in the timing of ovulation relative to in-
creased activity resulting in imprecise timing of AI relative to
ovulation. Another factor is the high rate of hepatic metabo-
lism of estradiol and progesterone associated with high feed
intake in high-producing cows. Under this endocrine milieu,
development of preovulatory follicles from deviation until ovu-
lation occurs in a prolonged low-progesterone environment
marked by high frequency LH pulses that overstimulate the
oocyte and compromise fertility similar to a persistent follicle.
Development of the Ovsynch protocol turned dairy cows into
induced ovulators, which allowed for increased service rates
and precise timing of AI relative to ovulation. Subsequent
modifications of the Ovsynch protocol, including presynchroni-
zation strategies and complete induction of luteal regression,
lead to fertility programs that yield greater fertility than that of
a detected estrus in high-producing dairy cows.
K29
Optimizing use of sexed and beef semen in dairy heifers
Paul Fricke.
University of Wisconsin – Madison, USA.
Our objective was to evaluate reproductive management
programs for submission of Holstein heifers for first insemina-
tion with sexed semen. Nulliparous Holstein heifers (n = 736)
33
KEYNOTE LECTURES — Udder Health and Mastitis
from three commercial farms were randomized within farm
to one of three treatments for first AI with sexed semen: 1)
CIDR5 (d -6, GnRH +CIDR; d -1, PGF2a -CIDR; d 0, PGF2a; d
2, GnRH+TAI); 2) CIDR6 (d -6, GnRH +CIDR; d -1, PGF2a; d
0, PGF2a -CIDR; d 2, GnRH+TAI); and 3) EDAI (PGF2a on d 0
followed by once daily estrus detection and AI). Heifers detect-
ed in estrus 24 h before TAI (d 1) were inseminated and the
protocol was discontinued. All heifers were inseminated with
sexed semen (ABS Sexcel™ Sexed Genetics, DeForest, WI)
from sires that were randomly allocated between treatments
within each farm, and AI technicians were blind to treatment
at AI. Heifers were followed for 84 d after first service to de-
termine days to AI and pregnancy. Actual farm costs (US$)
were used for hormonal treatments, detection of estrus, se-
men and AI, pregnancy diagnosis, and feed ($1.70/heifer/d)
to calculate cost per pregnancy. Feed costs for nonpregnant
heifers or heifers moved to a bull pen during the 84-d breeding
period (n=112) were allocated to the feed costs for heifers that
became pregnant during the 84-d breeding period. Pregnan-
cy outcomes were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure
of SAS with farm included as a random effect in the model.
Costs were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS with
treatment as a fixed effect and farm as a random effect in the
model. Delaying CIDR removal decreased early expression
of estrus before scheduled TAI (0.004%vs. 27.8%); howev-
er, CIDR5 heifers tended to have more P/AI at 35 (52.9% vs.
45.3% vs. 45.8%) and 64 (51.8% vs. 44.8% vs. 44.9%) d after
AI than CIDR6 and EDAI heifers, respectively. Overall, CIDR5
and CIDR6 heifers had fewer days to first AI and pregnancy
than EDAI heifers which resulted in less feed costs than EDAI
heifers due to fewer days on feed until pregnancy. Despite
greater hormonal treatment costs for CIDR5 heifers, costs per
pregnancy were $16.66 less for CIDR5 than for EDAI heifers.
In conclusion, delaying CIDR removal by 24 h within a 5-CI-
DR-Synch protocol suppressed early expression of estrus
before TAI, but tended to decrease P/AI for heifers inseminat-
ed with sexed semen. Further, submission of heifers to a 5-d
CIDR-Synch protocol for first AI tended to increase P/AI and
decrease the cost per pregnancy compared to EDAI heifers.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
34
Udder Health and Mastitis
K30
How the milking machine influences mastitis
Ian Ohnstad.
The Dairy Group (UK).
Objectives: A fully functioning milking machine, correctly
installed, maintained and operated will milk the vast majority
of cows effectively, efficiently and with minimal adverse effects
on udder health and cow behaviour.
Although we continually improve our understanding of the
relationship between the cow, machine and operator, there re-
mains room for improvement. Although the milking machine is
often blamed for high somatic cell counts and clinical mastitis
only 6 to 20% of new mastitis infections were related to the af-
fects of the milking machine, either directly or indirectly (Mein,
2004).
Materials and Methods: However, poorly operating milk-
ing equipment can lead to sub-optimal teat conditions and, but
not always, lead to udder health problems (IDF Bulletin, 1994).
In addition, our scientific knowledge of the impact of machine
milking and its use on udder health has often not been passed
down to the milking staff.
The essential elements of a milking machine are the cre-
ation of vacuum, regulation of that vacuum at an appropriate
level for the milking system and a means to alternate vacuum
and atmospheric pressure in the pulsation chamber.
Continual exposure to vacuum leads to teats becoming
congested with circulatory fluids leading to cow discomfort and
compromised milk let down. The former leads to lowered re-
sistance of the teat canal to bacterial invasion (Teat Club Inter-
national, 2001). When atmospheric pressure is applied to the
pulsation chamber the milking liner closes around the teat and
vacuum at the teat end is relieved and the teat is massaged,
resulting in the maintenance of blood circulation and minimis-
ing congestion. However, the closing liner applies a compres-
sive load on the teat that can lead to excess keratin production
near the teat end (Reinemann, ????), which in itself can impair
the first line of the udder´s defence against bacteria.
When vacuum is applied to the pulsation chamber the liner
opens and milk flows from a positive to negative pressure. A
complete pulsation cycle is from the start of liner opening to
the end of liner closing. The frequency varies between manu-
facturers, being typically 55 to 62 cycles per minute for milking
cows.
Regardless of whether cows are milked in a high- or
low-level system, the vacuum level at the teat end during peak
flow rate should be in the range of 32.0 – 42.0 kPa (ISO 5707:
2007) to milk cows gently and efficiently.
How the milking machine influences udder health
Although the machine can cause short, medium or long-
term changes in teat condition, environmental factors can also
induce same. In practical situations, it will often be the combi-
nation of both that leads to increased levels of sub- and clinical
mastitis.

The milking machine can affect mastitis infection rates by
acting as a:
• Vector – liner slip causing teat end impacts or transfer-
ring bacteria from teat to teat (IDF Bulletin, 1987) often
causing mastitis. Liner slip can be operator induced,
such as by machine stripping or by incorrect matching
of a liner to herd average teat size, incorrect vacuum
level, inadequate effective reserve, poor cluster posi-
tion and worn liners. Plus, liners can spread mastitis
causing bacteria from cow to cow, if not disinfected.
The machine can also spread bacteria if incorrectly
cleaned and sanitised between milkings;
• Adversely affecting the first line of the udders defence.
This includes physical teat damage by the milking ma-
chine or not maintaining teat skin in a soft and supple con-
dition so influencing the first line of the udders defence.
Not only is it essential for the milking installation to be cor-
rectly installed, it must be correctly maintained and used prop-
erly. Many checks can be readily carried out by the operator
on a daily and weekly basis (IDF Bulletin 396, 2005), with the
plant fully serviced by a suitably trained engineer.
Monitoring teat condition and factors affecting it (as rec-
ommended by Teat Club International) has a great influence in
minimising adverse udder health and leads to more effective
and timeliness of the milking operation.
Conclusion: Udder health can be significantly improved
by applying the knowledge we have of how the machine, cow
and operator interact. Thorough and effective milk harvesting
is a combination of correct operation of the milking machine
and an effective milking routine, with benefits to udder health.
K31
What is milking efficiency? Why is it important?
Ronald Erskine1, Rhyannon Moore-Foster2.
Michigan State University, USA; 2Colorado State University, USA.
1
Objectives: This seminar will present potential pitfalls of
stressing parlor efficiency as the overarching goal in a herd
milking routine. The concept of milking efficiency will be dis-
cussed, especially as it relates to milk ejection and milking rou-
tine. Finally, the potential negative impact of bimodal (delayed)
milk ejection on milk yield will be presented.
Background: Most dairy farms have their milking equip-
ment evaluated and maintained on a routine basis. Although
proper equipment function is necessary for milking perfor-
mance, it does not guarantee it. Two management areas that
can lead to poor milking efficiency are: 1) milking routines that
don’t achieve consistent milk letdown and 2) overmilking. Ei-
ther one of these problems can leave cows ‘high and dry’ and
expose teats to high vacuum levels.
During stimulation of teats before milking, a neuro-reflex
arc stimulates the pituitary gland to release oxytocin into the
blood, then to the udder. It takes about 1 to 2 minutes for oxy-
tocin levels to increase in blood to optimally contract myoepi-
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
KEYNOTE LECTURES — Udder Health and Mastitis
thelial cells that surround the milk ducts, which then squeeze
the milk down towards the teats. The two important points
about this oxytocin release are enough stimulation (at least
10 seconds of actual physical touching) of the teats and the
duration of the latency period, that is, the time interval between
when teats are first stimulated until the cluster is attached—lag
time is the time between unit attachment and milk ejection.
Unfortunately, with increasing herd size, the number of cows
that can be milked through parlors per hour, or parlor turnover
rate, is often identified as one of the choke points of herd ca-
pacity. Thus, parlor efficiency, measured by cows milked per
hour, milk produced per hour, parlor turnover per hour, etc., is
emphasized at the expense of adequate milking preparation
for the cow.
Results: Review of milking dynamics from over 60 Michi-
gan dairy herds found that a mean of 25% of cows had bimod-
al milk ejection (range 0 to 75%) at the time of unit attachment.
However, when the time of milk letdown after attachment (la-
tency period) was compared to the milking unit on time in over
3,800 milkings, there was no correlation between these two
variables Thus, milking time did not increase because of bi-
modal ejection.
In a follow up study of over 600 cows in a herd with a 50%
frequency of bimodal milk ejection, delayed milk ejection of 30
to 60 seconds in duration resulted in a loss of 1.5 kg of milk per
milking, and a delayed ejection of over 60 seconds resulted
in a loss of more than 3 kg of milk per milking. This outcome
was from a single milking for each cow on the trial, the impact
of delayed milk ejection over longer periods, such as a week
are not yet fully understood. However, preliminary work sug-
gests that 1) for any given milking routine, there is a range of
frequency of bimodal events between cows, and 2) cows that
have bimodal milking ejection more frequently will also have
greater losses in milk yield over time.
Conclusions: A proper premilking routine should allow for
90% of cows with immediate milk let down after cluster attach-
ment, and milk should be flowing 95% of the time while the
cluster is attached. Despite the drive to fully utilize a milking
parlor in terms of cows per hour, if parlor efficiency is stressed
to much over milking efficiency, it is possible to increase the
amount of milk gained from a parlor each day. However, the
law of diminishing returns comes into play at some point,
where maximum is no longer the optimum, and the actual milk
per cow per day is decreased.
K33
Who is teaching your employees?
Ronald Erskine.
Michigan State University, USA.
Objectives: This seminar will review and discuss the sta-
tus and challenges of the changing employee structure in the
dairy industry. Insight from employee and manager perspec-
tives as to the gaps in traing will be reviewed, and a potential
model of employee education presented.
35
KEYNOTE LECTURES — Lameness
Background: Many dairy operations worldwide are in-
creasingly relying on hired labor, especially foreign-born
workers. However, many dairy managers have limited human
resource knowledge and experience; this often leads to frus-
tration with protocol drift and a sense that employees are not
motivated to enhance the success of the farm beyond pre-
scribed instructions. Yet, a large majority of dairy managers
state that hiring and retaining employees is a top priority of
their dairy enterprise, even though employee turnover varies
widely between dairy operations. Taken together, these gaps
in dairy farm labor can be described as a cultural lag. That
is, there is a gap between the human resource needs within
the industry’s labor force and the capacity of producers and
managers to address them. Herds that believe that ‘mastitis
was a problem in their herd’ or ‘had difficulty with compliance
of milking protocols’, are more likely to have higher BTSCC.
Thus, employee management and training, as well as produc-
er values and attitudes regarding mastitis, are also related to
milk quality.
Results: When herd owners or managers were asked in a
survey, “Who trains new employees how to milk cows?”, 90%
responded that they perform the training. However, when the
employees were asked the same question, only 23% stat-
ed they learned how to milk from the managers or owners;
78% said they learned from other employees, or they just
“learned on the job”. Employee responses examined by lan-
guage (Spanish-speaking and English-speaking) showed that
only 14% of Latino workers said they learned the milking pro-
tocols from managers or owners, which was lower than En-
glish-speaking workers. Additionally, focus group discussions
found that employees strongly expressed their appreciation
for education, which helped them better understand why they
do their tasks and the importance of those tasks. Separately,
dairy producers also noted the positive attitude of employees
brought about by veterinarian-initiated education and cited
several examples of improved interest and team effort on the
part of the employees in the work they performed.
Conclusions: We believe that engaged employees take
the initiative and work to get the desired result for the dairy
operation, beyond just “doing the job.” We further believe that
“on-farm education”, facilitated by “science teachers” who pro-
vide hands-on training, such as veterinarians, can positively
impact employee engagement and thereby improve produc-
tivity on dairy operations. Proactive, routine, training, followed
by 1) accountability and performance metrics, and 2) a farm
culture that promotes employee feedback—such as milking
efficiency analysis of a milking protocols as described in an
earlier paper (Erskine) at this congress—can result in better
employee engagement, more consistent protocol compliance,
less employee turnover, and improved farm productivity.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
36
Lameness
K38
Dairy cattle lameness; where does recent research take us?
Georgios Oikonomou.
University of Liverpool, UK.
Introduction: Lameness is undoubtedly one of the most
critical challenges the dairy industry faces today. The condition
is painful, and described as one of the clearest indicators of
compromised welfare in dairy cattle (Bicalho and Oikonomou,
2013). This talk will be focused on how research currently
conducted at the University of Liverpool and elsewhere is at-
tempting to fill gaps in our understanding of lameness. We will
discuss new research regarding the aetiopathogenesis of claw
horn lesions (CHL), the role of the foot skin microbiome in the
development of digital dermatitis lesions and developments in
the field of automatic lameness detection.
Aetiopathogenesis of claw horn lesions: Despite the
importance of CHL, their aetiopathogenesis is not yet fully un-
derstood. We have enrolled 2,352 Holstein dairy cows from
four farms in the UK and recorded presence of foot lesions
at four time points from before calving to late lactation. Cows
were also genotyped. Measurements of foot angle, heel depth,
backfat thickness, longissimus dorsi thickness, digital cushion
thickness, and sole and foot skin temperature were taken from
all studied animals to assess their role in CHL development.
Additionally, measurements of the serum concentration of
beta hydroxybutyrate, non-esterified fatty acids, insulin, re-
laxin, proinflammatory cytokines, and endotoxins have been
obtained on a subset of animals as potential contributors to the
aetiopathogenesis of the disease.
The role of the foot skin microbiome in the develop-
ment of digital dermatitis.
Digital dermatitis is a painful, infectious, foot skin disease
that compromises the welfare of hundreds of millions of pro-
duction and wild ruminants. Disruption of the healthy skin mi-
crobiome has been associated with several diseases in hu-
mans. Associations between host genetics and skin integrity
and/or skin microbiota profiles have also been described. We
have recently showed intriguing interactions between host ge-
netics and the foot skin microbiota profiles in cattle but the
significance of host–microbiome-pathogen interactions in the
development of DD lesions has not yet been studied in depth.
Automatic lameness detection.
Early lameness detection has been shown to be an im-
portant aspect of lameness management in dairy herds
(Groenevelt et al., 2014) and yet for the most part relies on vi-
sual mobility/ locomotion scoring by farm staff or trained scor-
ers. This process, albeit useful, can be time consuming and
subjective even when agreement within the same experienced
assessor is examined. CattleEye Ltd has recently developed
and commercialised a system for automatic lameness detec-
tion. This system is the first to utilize inexpensive 2D surveil-
lance cameras placed above the passageway exiting the milk-
ing parlour. Footage of cows exiting the milking parlour is sent
directly to company servers where it is stored and processed.

The final result of the analysis is a number between 0 and 100,
indicating the degree of lameness in relation to changes ob-
served between reference points in each frame and changes
observed between frames. We recently conducted a study to
evaluate the performance of this video surveillance system for
automatic detection of dairy cattle lameness. Our aim was to
investigate the validity of the mobility scores provided by the
system by comparing them against those recorded by two ex-
perienced assessors. Additionally, we examined the system’s
ability to detect cows with potentially painful foot lesions. Our
study showed that the CattleEye system had a comparable
performance to two experienced scorers when mobility score
was used as a reference and outperformed the human scorer
when lesion presence was used as the gold standard (Anag-
nostopoulos et al., 2021).
References:
Anagnostopoulos, A., B.E. Griffiths, Neary J, R.F. Smith,
and G. Oikonomou. 2021. Initial validation of an intelligent vid-
eo surveillance system for automatic detection of dairy cat-
tle lameness. Page in BCVA Congress, 14-15 October 2021,
Newport, South Wales.
Bicalho, R.C., and G. Oikonomou. 2013. Control and pre-
vention of lameness associated with claw lesions in dairy
cows. Livest. Sci.. doi:10.1016/j.livsci.2013.06.007.
Groenevelt, M., D.C.J. Main, D. Tisdall, T.G. Knowles, and
N.J. Bell. 2014. Measuring the response to therapeutic foot
trimming in dairy cows with fortnightly lameness scoring. Vet.
J. 201:283–288. doi:10.1016/j.tvjl.2014.05.017.
K39
Sensible Treatment of Claw Disorders including Pain
Management
Jan Shearer.
Iowa State University, USA.
Objectives: To review common approaches to treatment
of claw disorders with emphasis on what therapies are use-
ful and which are potentially counterproductive? To suggest
a sensible treatment strategy that incorporates a comprehen-
sive plan for pain management.
Materials and Methods: Information for this presenta-
tion has been derived from personal research and a review
of pertinent literature on the subject of the treatment of claw
disorders.
Results of a 2-Part ISU Study: A survey of veterinarians
and hoof trimmers in North America on treatment practices in-
dicated that topical treatments for claw horn lesions were used
by 59% of veterinarians and 53% of hoof trimmers. The med-
ication used most frequently was the soluble powder form of
tetracycline or oxytetracycline (48% by veterinarians and 81%
by hoof trimmers) followed by copper sulfate for veterinarians
and ichthammol ointment (a sulphurous, tarry compound with
mild antiseptic properties used primarily as a drawing agent)
for trimmers (Kleinhenz, 2014).
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
KEYNOTE LECTURES — Lameness
Results of the survey prompted a follow-up study to deter-
mine the effect of topical treatment with oxytetracycline solu-
ble powder or powdered copper sulfate on the rate of wound
healing in 18 cows with claw lesions. Cows were randomly
divided into a treatment group: treated topically with oxytetra-
cycline soluble powder (7) or copper sulfate powder (3) and a
bandage; and a control group (8): no topical treatment and a
bandage. Photos of lesions were taken at 24 hours post treat-
ment when the bandages were removed and again at day 21
following the day of treatment. Photos were evaluated by 2
independent observers who scored the lesions for the visual
presence of granulation tissue and evidence of re-epitheliza-
tion. Based upon observer scores at day 21, lesions topically
treated with oxytetracycline or copper sulfate were more likely
to have abnormal or exuberant granulation tissue (observer
agreement on 15/18 observations, p > 0.0054) and less like-
ly to have evidence of re-epithelization (observer agreement
on 11/18 observations, p > 0.0553). Although the number of
observations is admittedly small, these data suggest that topi-
cal treatment with oxytetracycline or copper sulfate may delay
wound healing (Shearer et al., 2015).
Tetracyclines are known for their ability to cause tissue irri-
tation when used intramuscularly and copper sulfate is corro-
sive to the skin and eyes. Information from the equine literature
indicates that treatments with low pH and corrosive properties
cause cellular toxicity, which is likely to interfere with cell mi-
gration and proliferation in the early stages of wound healing.
Use of a Bandage: Despite evidence of a therapeutic ben-
efit, the use of a bandage for the treatment of claw lesions
was cited as a routine procedure for 53% of both veterinarians
and hoof trimmers alike. A well-bandaged foot simply looks
better and leaves one with the sense of a more professional
job. However, these esthetics are short-lived as the housing
systems for most dairy cows requires them to parade through
a footbath or enter a manure slurry covered floor. What started
out as a clean medicated bandage soon becomes one soaked
in footbath solutions and organic matter. Possibly, it is for
these reasons in part that healing was delayed by the use of
a bandage in three well-controlled studies (White et al., 1981;
Pyman, 1997; Kluwitter et al, 2019).
Sensible Treatment of Claw Lesions: There is little dis-
pute that corrective trimming and the use of a foot block to
elevate an injured claw make good sense. However, based
upon available literature and the studies cited above, there is
little justification for the routine topical treatment in combina-
tion with the use of a bandage. More important than selecting
a topical treatment or a what kind of bandage to use is having
a plan that assures prompt examination and treatment of lame
cows. Finally, claw lesions are painful; provisions for man-
aging pain whether associated with therapeutic trimming or
during the post treatment period are important considerations.
A multimodal treatment regimen would include the following:
1. use of intravenous regional or ring block anesthesia
for corrective trimming
2. sedative-analgesics to reduce the pain and anxiety
3. careful corrective trimming avoiding injury to adjacent
healthy corium tissues,
4. use of an orthopedic foot block
5. administration of analgesics in the post treatment period
37
KEYNOTE LECTURES — Lameness
6. comfortable housing and attentive management of
lame cows’ post-treatment.
K40
Factors affecting claw lesion healing in cattle
Jan Shearer.
Iowa State University, USA.
Objective: Wound healing is a complex process generally
described in terms of 4 overlapping phases including: hemo-
stasis, inflammation, proliferation and maturation. The objec-
tive of this session is to describe wound healing in the context
of claw lesions with emphasis on the factors that may interfere
with these events.
Materials and Methods: Information for this presentation
has been derived from research observations and a review of
pertinent literature on the subject of wound healing.
Wound Healing as it applies to Claw Lesions: Resto-
ration of a new layer of epithelium (new hoof horn) on the sur-
face of exposed corium is the primary objective in claw lesion
healing. Wounds that result in significant tissue loss or those
that are heavily contaminated are generally left open to heal
by 2nd intention. Wound edges cannot be opposed as with su-
tures and lesions are generally contaminated requiring closure
of the defect by granulation, and eventually re-epithelization
of the granulating tissue surface. Bridging the gap between
wound margins, depending upon size and depth of the lesion
may be prolonged.
The 4 Phases of Wound Healing.
Hemostasis: Hemorrhage plays a key role in wound repair
as the source of blood platelets essential for blood clot forma-
tion. Within minutes, platelets enter the site of injury and begin
to clump forming a clot. Coincident with the clotting process
is the release of numerous cytokines and vasoactive media-
tors that cause vasoconstriction to reduce blood loss and acti-
vate inflammatory cells in preparation for the second phase of
the healing process (Stadelmann et al, 1998; Auer and Stick,
2012).
Inflammation: The inflammatory phase is characterized
by the influx of white blood cells that phagocytize bacteria
and cellular debris within the site of injury. This phase is char-
acterized by pain, swelling and loss of function at the wound
site. Quite often, chronic lesions or wounds are those stuck (or
stalled) in the inflammatory phase of healing.
Proliferation: The proliferative phase is characterized by
angiogenesis, fibroplasia and granulation tissue formation and
epithelialization. Any interference in these events has the po-
tential to result in prolonged wound healing and a chronic le-
sion. The timing of topical treatments frequently coincides with
key events that occur during this period.
Whereas hemostasis occurs within minutes and inflamma-
tion within minutes to hours after injury; the proliferative phase
marked by the entry of fibroblasts and the formation of gran-
ulation tissue begins in 2-3 days of injury. Neovascularization
supports the development of granulation tissue that fills the
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
38
wound defect. Although less resistant to external factors than
intact skin, granulation tissue provides an early, though imper-
fect, barrier to injurious agents from the environment (Stadel-
mann et al, 1998; Auer and Stick, 2012).
Re-epithelialization of the lesion is the ultimate objective
in wound healing. The speed of re-epithelialization depends
upon the severity and type of injury suffered. For example,
re-epithelialization is rapid when the injury is superficial (i.e.
such as an abrasion) and the basement membrane and basal
cell layer are intact or minimally damaged. On the other hand,
when a full thickness defect of the epithelium occurs the recov-
ery process is prolonged. In this circumstance, residual kera-
tinocytes at the wound site are not immediately available for
recruitment to start the healing process. Instead, re-epithelial-
ization must occur from the wound edges requiring centripetal
movement of keratinocytes from the wound margins (O’Toole
EA, 2001).
Persistent or Exuberant Granulation Tissue.
The clinical indication of an interference with wound heal-
ing is the presence of exuberant granulation tissue (Auer and
Stick, 2012). This is corroborated by the observations that
ulcers with excessive granulation tissue healed more slowly
compared with lesions free of granulation tissue (van Amstel
et al, 2003). Re-epithelialization of mild to moderate lesions
requires somewhere around 21-30 days with more severe le-
sions requiring as much as 40 days and potentially as long as
60 days.
Causes of Non-Healing Claw Lesions.
One of the most frequent causes delayed claw lesion heal-
ing is infection of the exposed corium by organisms associated
with digital dermatitis. The longer the corium remains exposed,
the greater the likelihood of secondary infection. Complicat-
ing factors include bandaging and topical treatment of claw
lesions among others. An understanding of the factors that
affect claw lesion healing is important to assure a successful
outcome from treatment.
K41
Dairy cattle lameness genetics; can we breed lameness out
of our herds?
Georgios Oikonomou, Matthew Barden.
University of Liverpool, UK.
Genetic selection alone will not fully address the issue of
dairy cattle lameness as environmental effects (i.e. housing,
diet, foot trimming practices etc) have a strong influence on
herd lameness prevalence. However, genetic selection can
definitely complement efforts to decrease lameness preva-
lence through improved management and may actually have
a more important role to play than previously thought.
The University of Liverpool (in collaboration with SRUC
and the Royal Veterinary College) is currently conducting a
large-scale study on the genetics of cattle lameness. 2,352
Holstein cows were enrolled on four dairy farms and subse-

quently assessed at four stages of a lactation cycle. At each
stage, feet were inspected by a veterinary surgeon and all
foot lesions were recorded and scored according to severity.
Cows were genotyped and genetic indexes were assigned to
each cow following national genetic evaluations. Combining
data from all stages indicated that the heritability of the sus-
ceptibility to sole haemorrhages, sole ulcers, and white line
lesions was 0.29, 0.35 and 0.10, respectively. Initial analyses
on digital dermatitis suggest heritability estimates greater than
0.30. We also studied cows’ ability to recover from sole le-
sions and showed a heritability of 0.27; this was only weakly
correlated to sole lesion susceptibility. This suggests there is
potential to selectively breed cows which can recover from
sole lesions more effectively, but selecting for reduced sus-
ceptibility alone is unlikely to achieve this. Efforts to reduce the
prevalence of chronically lame cows could be more success-
ful if genetic selection for sole lesion recovery is considered
alongside selection for reduced susceptibility. We also found
that heritability estimates of digital cushion thickness ranged
from 0.23 – 0.44 and 0.14 – 0.29 depending on the location
of fat pad measurement. Our results clearly highlight the po-
tential for genetic selection to improve resistance to lameness
and the importance of accurate phenotyping. Genome-wide
association analyses of claw horn lesions and digital cushion
thickness traits revealed a polygenic background; candidate
genes were identified with roles in immunity and inflammation,
and in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism.
The same dataset was also used to evaluate the current
performance of Lameness Advantage (UK lameness genet-
ic evaluation) and the results were very promising (Barden
et al., 2022). The odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for
one-point increase in the Lameness Advantage index were
0.79 (0.72 - 0.86), 0.68 (0.59 – 0.78), 0.94 (0.84 – 1.04), and
0.82 (0.74 – 91) for sole haemorrhage, sole ulcer, white line
disease, and lameness, respectively. The same trends were
present when the sire’s Lameness Advantage index was eval-
uated in place of the animal’s own, although the strength of
this association was generally weaker. Effectively, for every
two-point decrease in Lameness Advantage (worse genetics
for lameness) the sole ulcer risk doubled. Similar associations
were observed between the digital dermatitis genetic index
and actual incidence of digital dermatitis. Effectiveness of
the Lameness Advantage and digital dermatitis indexes will
increase if farm lesion records improve and foot-trimming re-
cords include all lesions and are recorded on-farm software.
The additive genetic variance of foot lesions could be uti-
lised to select for increased resistance to these lesions; novel
traits such as DCT and sole lesion recovery may also be use-
ful traits for this purpose.
References:
Barden, M., A. Anagnostopoulos, B.E. Griffiths, C. Bed-
ford, M. Winters, B. Li, M. Coffey, A. Psifidi, G. Banos, and
G. Oikonomou. 2022. Association between a genetic index for
lameness resistance and the incidence of claw horn lesions in
Holstein cows. Vet. Rec. 1–12. doi:10.1002/vetr.1632.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
KEYNOTE LECTURES — Genetics and Breeding
Genetics and Breeding
K42
What every farm advisor should know about dairy cattle
breeding
Francisco Peñagaricano.
University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA.
Genetic selection is a very powerful tool for achieving last-
ing gains in dairy cattle performance. Contrary to improve-
ments in nutrition, management or cow comfort, changes
achieved through selection are incremental, cumulative, and
permanent, which makes genetic improvement a very cost-ef-
fective strategy.
The basics of dairy sire selection: Dairy bulls are geneti-
cally evaluated for several traits, including different production,
health, fertility, and type traits, and this genetic information is
regularly compiled and published by each specific breed orga-
nization as sire summaries. There are at least three key con-
cepts that appear in the sire summaries that should be care-
fully considered when making sire selection decisions. These
relevant concepts are predicted transmitting ability (PTA; a
measure of the genetic merit of the bull for a given trait), re-
liability (REL or %R; a measure of the degree of confidence
in the PTA of the bull), and percentile rank (a measure of the
rank of the bull within the evaluated population for the trait of
interest). 
Dairy sire selection for multiple traits: There are many
traits, including production traits (such as milk yield and milk
composition) and functional traits (such as fertility, health,
longevity, and calving ability), that directly impact the profit-
ability of any dairy production enterprise. The best method
for selecting animals considering multiple traits is the use of
an economic selection index. This method combines multi-
ple traits of interest into a single value, greatly facilitating the
identification of the best animals. Individual traits are weighted
based on relevant genetic information and their economic im-
portance; these economic weights are based on current prices
for both inputs (e.g., feed and veterinary costs) and outputs
(e.g., milk prices) of a dairy production enterprise. These val-
ues are updated regularly to reflect current trends in the price
of feed and milk.
K43
Economic trade-offs between productive life and genetic
progress
Albert De Vries.
University of Florida, USA.
The rate of genetic improvement in dairy cattle has dou-
bled in the last decade, in part due to the use of genomic
testing which has greatly shortened generation intervals. As-
39
KEYNOTE LECTURES — Genetics and Breeding
set replacement theory holds that an incumbent asset should
be replaced earlier when the challenging asset is technically
improved. The objective therefore was to explore how the in-
creased rate of genetic improvement should generally affect
cow replacement rates. A spreadsheet was built that deter-
mines the total cost per cow per year from the following 5 fac-
tors: cow depreciation cost, lack of maturity cost, aged cow
cost, calf opportunity cost, and genetic opportunity cost. Data
were based on generally available cost for the USA. Next, the
average productive life was varied from 2 to 10 years and the
total of these cost per cow calculated. The lowest total cost is
an indication of the optimal productive life and hence the opti-
mal replacement rate. After some sensitivity analyses, results
showed that the optimal average productive life was between
3 and 4 years. The doubling of genetic progress increases op-
timal annual replacement rates by a few percent and therefore
shortens productive life by a several months. However, the op-
timal productive life is still longer than the average dairy cow
productive life observed in the USA which is approximately 2.6
years. The conclusion was that increased genetic progress
shortens optimal productive life a little but is by itself not a
strong enough factor to warrant the high replacement rates
currently observed in the USA. Actual optimal replacement
rates should be herd specific.
K44
Genomics: the latest revolution in dairy cattle
Francisco Peñagaricano.
University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA.
Genomic selection refers to selection decisions based on
genomic-estimated breeding values. These genomic breeding
values are calculated using genetic markers across the en-
tire genome. This technology has revolutionized dairy cattle
breeding worldwide because it allows breeders to make ac-
curate selection decisions at a much earlier age, even when
neither the animal nor its offspring have been assessed for
the phenotypes of interest. Indeed, genomics has undoubtedly
caused the most remarkable change in dairy cattle breeding
since the introduction of artificial insemination.
Genomic selection has the potential to increase genetic
gain considerably by reducing generation intervals and in-
creasing selection intensity and selection accuracy. Progeny
testing, the basis of dairy cattle breeding programs, is a very
expensive and time-consuming process. At least 4.5 years are
required for collecting semen of a potentially elite bull, rearing
his offspring, and finally predicting his genetic merit based on
his offspring’s performance. If the bull is good enough to use in
the entire population, then his first sons and daughters will be
born when he is about 5.5 years of age. This long generation
interval limits the rate of genetic progress. However, genomic
testing allows breeders to identify superior bull calves within a
few weeks of age, and hence, instead of waiting a minimum of
4.5 years, breeders can used genomic-tested young bulls be-
fore 1 year of age. This drastically reduces the generation in-
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
40
terval. Similarly, genomic testing of heifer calves allows one to
make accurate selection decisions at an early age, and supe-
rior females can eventually enter into in vitro fertilization pro-
grams, even before they reach sexual maturity. Moreover, for
young bull calves and heifers, genomic testing provides more
accurate PTA estimates than traditional parent averages, with
average gains in reliability around 30%. Finally, greater selec-
tion intensity can be achieved using genomics because a large
number of selection candidates can be screened in search of
elite animals.
Overall, by shortening the generation interval and increas-
ing the accuracy and intensity of selection, genomic selection
in dairy cattle can at least double annual genetic gains. Note
that the benefit of genomics is greatest for lowly heritable traits
such as fertility, and traits that can be measured only late in life
such as longevity. Indeed, genomics has doubled the annual
rates of genetic gain for production traits but has increased
from 3-fold to 4-fold for fitness traits, including female fertility,
udder health, and productive life.
Finally, genomics has created opportunities to improve
traits that are critically important, but too difficult or expensive
to measure on the entire population. These relevant pheno-
types can be measured only on a relatively small group of
genotyped animals, and this reference population can then be
used to predict genomic breeding values for the entire popula-
tion, including young selection candidates. Examples of these
important traits include feed efficiency and methane emission.
K45
Economic optimization of use of beef semen in dairy herds
Albert De Vries.
University of Florida, USA.
The use of beef semen in dairy herds in the USA has
greatly increased in the last 5 years. This use coincides with
the wide adoption of sexed semen which allows dairy farmers
to obtain enough dairy heifer calves from targeted breedings
within the dairy herd. However, various targeted breeding
strategies exist, and it is not immediately clear which one is
economically best and what the opportunity cost of non-op-
timal strategies are. Therefore, the objective was to explore
how herd profitability is affected by user-defined beef and
sexed semen breeding strategies, as well as finding the op-
timal strategy. A Markov chain herd budget calculator spread-
sheet with daily steps was built that mimics the technical and
financial performance of a closed herd consisting of dairy heif-
ers and cows. Per parity, animals could be inseminated with
beef, sexed, and conventional semen, depending on breeding
number and genetic merit of the dam. Within breeding number,
truncated normal distributions mimicked the variation in genet-
ic merit. Hence, the genetic merit of dairy calves depended on
the genetic merit of their dams. Surplus dairy calves, dairy bull
calves, and crossbred dairy-beef calves were sold for fixed
prices independent of genetic merit. Reproduction, milk pro-
duction, feed intake, risk of culling, and associated prices were

also included such that a profit per milking cow per year was
calculated. Four breeding strategies were simulated: conven-
tional semen only, sexed + beef semen-by-age of the dam,
sexed + beef semen-by-genetic merit of the dam, and the op-
timal breeding strategy. Surplus dairy calves were sold (us-
ing conventional semen) or not made (using the sexed + beef
semen strategies). The optimal breeding strategy was sought
with a non-linear optimizer within the herd budget calculator
but was not necessarily found. The four strategies were eval-
uated at five levels of reproductive efficiency. Results showed
that all sexed + beef semen strategies were more profitable
than the conventional semen only strategy at all levels of re-
productive efficiency. The advantage of sexed + beef semen
strategies increased with greater reproductive efficiency. The
user-defined semen + beef semen-by-genetic merit strategy
was nearly as profitable as the optimal breeding strategy. The
sexed + beef semen-by-age of the dam strategy was slight-
ly less profitable. Genomic testing was profitable at greater
reproductive efficiency but not for the sexed + beef-by-age
strategy. In conclusion, the use of beef semen combined with
sexed semen was more profitable than a conventional semen
only strategy. Targeted breeding based on the genetic merit
of the dam was slightly more profitable than when targeted
breeding was based on the age and breeding number of the
dam.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
KEYNOTE LECTURES — Teaching & Continuing Education
Teaching & Continuing Education
K47
Shortages of food animal veterinarians – a global threat
Ángel Abuelo Sebio.
Michigan State University, USA.
Many countries are experiencing shortages of food ani-
mal veterinary services in rural areas. This negatively impacts
food safety and supply, public health, and animal welfare. Re-
cruitment and long-term retention of food-animal veterinarians
in rural areas are critical issues for the sustainability of the
livestock industries located in regions with veterinary service
shortfalls. However, these are multifaceted problems with no
easy solutions. The issue of rural health workforce shortage,
however, is not unique to veterinary medicine. There is a cur-
rent worldwide trend demonstrating a reduction in the number
of graduates from various health professions interested in pur-
suing a rural career. In human medicine, a ‘rural pipeline into
medical practice’ to help to alleviate shortages of human doc-
tors in rural areas was introduced. This pipeline is comprised
by four stages: (1) structured contact between rural second-
ary schools and the medical profession, (2) selection of rural
students into medical school programs, (3) rural experience
during medical training, and (4) measures to address retention
of the rural medical workforce. The impact of components of
the rural pipeline on the choice of a rural medical career is
strongly supported by the literature. This talk will compare the
situation with similar problems of the human medicine profes-
sion and discuss what is being done and could be done to re-
lieve these shortages through the adoption of the rural pipeline
model in food animal veterinary medicine.
K49
Continue education in food animal medicine: does one size
fit all?
Ángel Abuelo Sebio1, Sabine Mann2.
Michigan State University, USA; 2Cornell University College of
1
Veterinary Medicine, USA.
It is now well established that the veterinary profession
is facing a worldwide shortage of food-animal veterinarians
in the public, private, industrial, and academic sectors. This
negatively impacts food safety and supply, public health,
and animal welfare. Recruitment and long-term retention of
food-animal veterinarians in rural areas are critical issues
for the sustainability of the livestock industries located in re-
gions with veterinary service shortfalls. Providing access to
continuing professional education (CE) is a major influencing
factor for established rural professionals to remain practicing
in these areas. CE has positive effects on participants’ pro-
fessional growth (improves confidence and competence of
practitioners) and patient care. In addition, participation in CE
41
KEYNOTE LECTURES — Nutrition & Metabolism Diseases
courses contributes to the development of a professional sup-
port network that helps to decrease burnout and compassion
fatigue. However, most CE programs are not targeted specif-
ically to graduates in their first years of practice despite new
graduates choosing and needing different CE courses com-
pared to senior veterinarians. Hence, it is essential to pro-
vide CE targeted to the areas that recent graduates in rural
practice identify as their greatest needs. This presentation will
showcase the development and authors’ experience leading
an online course on bovine medicine targeted at recent veter-
inary graduates in rural practice, emphasizing the differences
in perceived relevance of CE topics between senior and ear-
ly-career bovine veterinarians.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
42
Nutrition & Metabolism Diseases
K51
Enegery balance and body condition, key drivers for a
healthy herd
Adlai Schuler1, Fernando Diaz Royon2.
Marshall Ridge Farms, USA; 2Dellait, LLC., Brookings, USA.
1
Dairy cattle body condition and body condition scoring has
long been a source of both study and debate among dairy pro-
fessionals and lay people. While the scale for body condition
differs depending on the country and even region, it is gener-
ally accepted that low values are equivalent to emaciation and
high values are reflective of obesity. Despite a tremendous
amount of literature demonstrating the effects of both overall
body condition and body condition score change, widespread
adoption of body condition as a documented tool for making
management decisions by farmers remains relatively low.
Reproduction, production, animal health, and more re-
cently, welfare have all been related to body condition or body
condition score change. Several different reasons have been
proposed for why the adoption of management strategies cen-
tered on body condition have been extremely limited. These
include inconsistent training of staff on how to obtain BCS
data, uncertainty on how to utilize the information when it is
obtained, and a perceived lack of time by both professionals
and dairymen. More recently, advancements in sensor and
camera technology have helped to move subjective data mea-
sure into the objective category. Our aim with this presentation
is to highlight how making body condition a key driver of deci-
sions on the farm can improve herd health and subsequently
profitability. This presentation will provide practical solutions
for overcoming the challenges associated with body condition
scoring in both a subjective and objective manner. It will also
give examples demonstrating the benefits of tracking body
condition on herd health outcomes over time regardless of the
methodology used.
K53
Managing the transition period through protocols- A
systems based approach
Adlai Schuler1, Dr. Fernando Diaz-Royon2.
Marshall Ridge Farms, USA; 2Dellait, LLC., Brookings, USA.
1
Producing a safe, wholesome, nutritious product at an eco-
nomically viable price is the primary goal of dairy producers.
Over the past century there have been significant technological
and scientific advancements that have resulted in increased
efficiency; increases production; decreases in environmental
costs per unit of food; and decreases in the cost of production,
in an unprecedented manner. While dramatic increases in pro-
ductivity per cow as well as improved labor and feed efficiency
ratios are the primary drivers of the reduced cost of produc-

tion, the individual cow is still the heart of the dairy economic
model. No matter the size, farm level profitability is the direct
result of the cow being influenced by four primary factors: 1)
Genetics 2) Nutrition 3) People 4) Environment. When all four
of these factors are aligned, a healthy cow results in a healthy
herd, resulting in profitable farms.
To date, the dairy industry has largely relied on lagging
metrics as indicators of performance. Percentage of heifers
returned to the lactating herd, 21-day pregnancy risk, and 30-
and 60-day cull rates, are only three of many of examples of
common lagging metrics used to evaluate performance. Argu-
ably, no singular portion of a cow’s lifecycle has been as ex-
tensively documented as the transition period. The goal of this
presentation is to describe the clinical aspects of managing
herd health throughout the transition period. We will do this
by focusing on well-defined and common disease conditions,
managing those conditions extraordinarily well, and consis-
tently utilizing the information to look ahead and see where
the dairy is headed. We propose that by maintaining the cow
as the center of system and implementing leading metrics (fo-
cused on the four primary factors above during the transition
period) cow productivity and farm profitability can be reliably
predicted.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
KEYNOTE LECTURES —Infectious Diseases
Infectious Diseases
K55
Tools for the diagnosis and control of bovine
paratuberculosis
Joseba M. Garrido.
NEIKER-Instituto Vasco de Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario, Derio,
Spain.
Paratuberculosis (PTB) is an infectious enteropathy with
worldwide distribution that mainly affects domestic and wild
ruminants and is caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp.
paratuberculosis (Map) and triggers a regional chronic enteri-
tis. Map infection significantly reduces the cost-effectiveness
of cattle farms due to reduced milk production and early re-
placement of infected animals. Furthermore, Map has been
associated with Crohn’s disease, so it is considered by some
authors as a zoonotic pathogen. The herd-level prevalence of
MAP infection is over 50% in most countries with a developed
substantial dairy industry. However, it should be considered
that this percentage is limited by the small number of large
epidemiological studies carried out in the different countries
and by the difficulty in the laboratory detection of animals in
subclinical stages.
Combining pathological lesions with clinical signs, two
forms of infection, latent and patent, can be distinguished.
Latent forms are those present in infected animals with focal
lesions, very low bacterial load, low antibody titres and ab-
sence of clinical signs. On the other hand, patent forms are
those presented by animals with multifocal and diffuse lesions,
associated with a higher bacterial load and the presence of
more or less evident clinical signs. Detection of infected ani-
mals before they present clinical signs of the disease is one of
the challenges in laboratory diagnosis. So far, the combination
of microbiological (culture and rt-PCR) and serological (ELI-
SA) techniques with complementary sensitivity is the most ef-
fective alternative. However recent studies indicate that other
techniques such as digital PCR could cover the shortcomings
of current protocols.
Currently, the main disease-control strategy within dairy
herds involves the combination of appropriate hygienic-sani-
tary measures and test and cull programs. Since test and cull
programs are time-consuming, expensive, and eventually not
as efficient as expected in part due to the lack of sensitivity of
diagnostic tests, new approaches are needed. In this context,
vaccination should be an alternative. It has been demonstrat-
ed its effect in the reduction of Map isolation in feces and tis-
sues of infected animals and in the increasing of milk produc-
tion and cow productive lifespan in infected farms. However,
the possible interference of the vaccine with the tests used in
the eradication control programs restrict its use. Another ap-
proach that is gaining relevance is the identification of genetic
markers of resistance or susceptibility to the disease that can
be considered in breeding programs.
In this talk all these aspects will be reviewed.
43
KEYNOTE LECTURES — Infectious Diseases
K56
What is new on IBR? Epidemiology and control at the farm
level
María Guelbenzu.
Animal Health Ireland, Carrick-On-Shannon, Republic of Ireland.
Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) is a highly infectious
disease caused by the bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BoHV-1).
BoHV-1, one of eight herpesviruses known to infect cattle, is
an alphaherpesvirus and can also cause infectious pustular
vulvovaginitis (IPV) and infectious pustular balanoposthitis
(IBP). IBR has worldwide distribution and in addition to the
impact on health and productivity also affects the trade of ani-
mals, semen and embryos.
In order to be able to apply successful strategies for the
control of IBR at the farm level it is necessary to have a good
understanding of the epidemiology of this disease.
BoHV-1 is mainly spread directly by close contact between
animals. It can also be shed from the reproductive tract, in-
cluding semen, resulting in venereal transmission. Aerosol
transmission typically occurs over short distances but it may
also occur over distances of up to 5m. The virus is moder-
ately resistant to environmental factors so indirect transmis-
sion within or between herds can also occur indirectly through
movement or sharing of contaminated facilities, equipment or
personnel.
Clinical signs of BoHV-1 infection most commonly involve
the upper respiratory tract and include nasal discharge, hyper-
aemia of the muzzle (red nose), conjunctivitis, fever and inap-
petence and on occasions, death. This may be accompanied
by decreased milk yields and a range of negative reproductive
outcomes depending on the stage of the reproductive cycle
at which exposure occurs (failure to conceive, early embry-
onic death and abortion). However, it is also recognised that
in herds with endemic infection the course of infection can be
sub-clinical but nevertheless still be associated with a reduc-
tion in milk yield and negative reproductive outcomes.
Recovery following initial infection is associated with the
development of immunity, but this does not eliminate the virus.
Instead, the virus establishes lifelong latent infection in the tri-
geminal ganglion or pharyngeal tonsils. During this period the
latent carrier is not shedding virus. However, at times of stress
such as transport, calving, mixing stock etc, the virus may be
reactivated and can begin to multiply and be re-excreted. This
leads to new infection in other susceptible cattle, which in turn
will also become latent carriers. These latently infected ani-
mals play a central role in maintaining IBR in infected herds,
where they act as a reservoir of infection, and in spreading
infection between herds.
Vaccines are used widely for a range of scenarios including
to reduce the clinical impact of an outbreak, as part of an IBR
control programme and to protect free herds against infection.
Both live and inactivated marker vaccines are available which
can reduce the clinical signs and the amount of virus shed
following infection. When given intra-nasally, live vaccines can
give rapid protection in the face of a clinical outbreak. When
used as part of a control strategy, the percentage of infected
cattle in a herd should decrease over a period of time as old-
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
44
er, positive cattle are displaced by younger, uninfected stock.
Animals vaccinated with gE-deleted marker vaccines can be
discriminated from field-virus infected animals by a negative
serological reaction for gE.
Understanding the relevant risk factors for (re)introduction
of the virus is key information both for the design of effective
control programmes and for individual farmers aiming to main-
tain their herds free of infection. These risk factors should be
then translated into biosecurity measures that farms can ap-
ply. The main risk for introduction of infection is the purchase
of latently infected animals. Biosecurity options to address this
risk include maintaining a closed herd, buying known-negative
stock and post-purchase isolation and testing. Other risks, in-
cluding contacts at boundary fences, shows and sales, and
movement of people and equipment, should also be consid-
ered.
In summary, control of IBR at the farm level is possible but,
especially in endemic areas, this must be accompanied with
the implementation of biosecurity measures to protect the farm
from (re)introduction of the virus.
K57
Animal tuberculosis. Looking for the eradication
Joseba M. Garrido.
NEIKER-Instituto Vasco de Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario, Derio,
Spain.
Animal tuberculosis (TB) is caused by infection with mem-
bers of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC). My-
cobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium caprae are the main
etiological agents of animal TB a mycobacterial infectious
disease with a worldwide distribution that affects cattle, oth-
er domestic hosts, wildlife and humans. The huge economic
losses caused by bovine TB added to the impact of its zoonot-
ic nature led to implement control strategies lasting for over
a century in many countries. Although eradication of TB has
been accomplished in some countries, the presence of M.
bovis in herds continues to pose serious problems for animal
and human health in developing countries. This discrepancy
has been observed despite the similarity of the eradication
programs used in the different countries. There are several
reasons for the persistence of the disease in cattle, but it is
usually attributed to the existence of wild reservoirs.
Different transmission pathways do exist. These include
direct or indirect inhalation, oropharyngeal exposure and/or
ingestion of the pathogen. Lesion distribution and progression
seem to be shaped by the route of introduction of the bac-
terium. There is a general acceptance that the aerogenous
transmission is the most frequent one in cattle and lesions are
usually found in the respiratory system and associated lymph
nodes (LN). Lesions can also reach these LN and other tis-
sues or LN of the head region after oral exposure to the patho-
gen. However, ingestion of bacilli is usually associated with
affected LN and tissues of the digestive system with or without
visible lesions. Oral exposure to M. bovis could represent a

more relevant route of infection than previously thought. In the
wildlife-livestock interface inter-species transmission is of an
indirect nature, for instance through shared water or food. In
these cases, infection will most likely enter the host by the oral
route.
The intradermal test and the interferon-gamma release
assay (IGRA) are the in vivo diagnostic methods used in test
and cull-based eradication campaigns. These tests have been
deemed of poor specificity because the confirmatory tests
(pathological examination and culture) fail to demonstrate the
presence of lesions and the involvement of M. bovis quite fre-
quently. However, disagreements between confirmatory tests
and in vivo methods are expected because their best sensi-
tivity and specificity values are achieved at different immuno-
pathological stages of the infection. In addition, cross-reac-
tions with other mycobacteria present in the environment must
be considered. Despite their limitations, these procedures
have successfully eradicated the disease in many countries.
An alternative for TB eradication strategies in some sce-
narios could be vaccination. Probably, as has been observed
with other mycobacteriosis as paratuberculosis, the first objec-
tive would be to control the disease through the reduction of
mycobacteria excretion, which minimizes the risk of transmis-
sion. Several studies have been carried out in cattle and wild-
life, principally using BCG but also with inactivated M. bovis
vaccines, showing promising results.
The best option for TB control and subsequent eradica-
tion could be a combination of strategies including biosecurity
measures, diagnostic follow-up of animals and vaccination,
depending on the country, the situation and the host species
involved in the epidemiology of this disease.
In this talk all these aspects will be reviewed.
K58
BVD. Actual situation in Europe
María Guelbenzu.
Animal Health Ireland, Carrick-On-Shannon, Republic of Ireland.
The concept of bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) control has
changed over the years. Initially, there was a focus to con-
trol the infection at herd level by prophylactic vaccination. Im-
proved awareness of the economic impact that this endemic
disease has on the cattle industry shifted the focus of control
to a more systematic approach. Economic losses arise from
infertility, reduced productivity and immunosuppression which,
by increasing susceptibility to other pathogens, will result in
increased veterinary and treatment costs as well an increased
use of antibiotics on farm.
BVD is an excellent example of an infectious disease
where a range of strategies have either succeeded or are cur-
rently advancing towards eradication. The main objective of
this talk is to review the current status of the various control
and eradication programmes for BVD across Europe and the
strategies that these apply.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
KEYNOTE LECTURES — Infectious Diseases
Two main approaches to BVD control and eradication exist
and have been successfully applied by European countries.
The first large scale systematic eradication programmes were
initiated in the early 90s in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Fin-
land and the Shetland Islands. The approach taken is com-
monly referred to as the Scandinavian model and includes a
strict non-vaccination policy. Herd-level tests are used to clas-
sify the herds into those likely to be non-infected and those
with evidence of current or recent circulation of virus. Typical-
ly, these are based on antibody detection by antibody ELISA.
Identification and removal of persistently infected (PI) animals
from infected herds and continuous monitoring and certifica-
tion of non-infected herds is also part of these programmes.
For other countries, where the seroprevalence at the ani-
mal and at herd level was considered to be too high to make
the use of an initial antibody screen to classify herds suitable,
the strategy focused on testing directly for PI animals. In Swit-
zerland for example, the programme consisted of testing the
whole cattle population for BVD antigen or RNA via ear notch
testing in a short period of time, culling virus-positive animals,
banning BVD vaccination and applying movement restrictions.
This was followed by all newborn calves being sampled and
tested with tissue sampling tags. In Ireland, ear notch tissue
is collected from all new-born calves using modified official
identity tags to test for BVD virus, supplemented by additional
blood sampling in herds with positive results, including for test-
ing of their dams. Culling of virus-positive animals and move-
ment restrictions are also applied.
SOUND-control, a European Cooperation in Science
and Technology (COST) Action, focuses on the topic of out-
put-based surveillance for cattle diseases with either no or lim-
ited regulation under EU legislation. Limited regulation means
that EU countries are not required to control the disease in
their country. This COST Action provides an overview of na-
tional and regional control programmes for several cattle dis-
eases. As highlighted by work done within SOUND control, in
some countries there is a mixture of compulsory and voluntary
BVD control plans depending on the region or cattle type e.g.,
mandatory for dairy and voluntary for non-dairy. Control plans
are implemented at national or regional level and have differ-
ent funding models.
A recent development in BVD control has been the inclu-
sion of this disease as a Category C+D+E disease within the
new Anima Health Law. This piece of legislation which has
been in place since April 2021, includes, for the first time, an
annex with requirements for programmes to be recognised at
EU level and for member statues/zones to be declarer BVD-
free. A number of countries/regions have had their BVD pro-
grammes approved or have had recognition of BVD-freedom.
In conclusion, a wide range of strategies for BVD control
are currently applied around Europe, ranging from non-sys-
tematic control to EU-recognised freedom of disease.
45
KEYNOTE LECTURES — Cattle Welfare
Cattle Welfare
K59
Social housing of dairy calves: Why, when, and how?
Trevor De Vries.
Guelph University, Ariss, Canada.
A shift if mindset around dairy calf housing has occurred in
recent years. For many years, individually housing of calves in
individual pens or hutches was viewed as optimal, and nearly
exclusively used in the dairy industry. Some of the cited advan-
tages of individual housing include reduced pathogen spread
from animal to animal, and increased opportunity for individual
monitoring and management. While elements of those things
may merit, we also know that individual calf feeding and man-
agement can be labour intense and limits social contact for
calves, which may negatively affect calf behavioural devel-
opment and welfare. A large body of literature now exists to
demonstrate that social housing of calves, in pairs or groups,
may have several short- and long-term benefits; these include:
improve social skills and cognition, decreased stress, earlier
and greater solid feed intake (particularly at weaning), and
greater growth. There is empirical evidence that these bene-
fits are greater the earlier in life calves are exposed to social
housing. As result, more and more adoption of social housing
of dairy calves is occurring throughout the industry. Despite
these benefits, challenges may also occur with social hous-
ing, including potential for cross-sucking as well as increased
health concerns. While potential for these challenges exist,
they need not to with good nutrition, housing, and manage-
ment.
K60
Managing automated milking herds to optimize health and
welfare
Trevor De Vries.
Guelph University, Ariss, Canada.
The use of automated (robotic) milking systems (AMS)
brings several opportunities for dairy producers with respect to
cow health and welfare. There may also be situations where
health and welfare challenges arise with adoption and use of
AMS. Some of these challenges may result from cows not
milking voluntarily, and thus achieving adequate milking fre-
quencies at regular intervals. This is often the result of situa-
tions where voluntary milking behavior is impeded, specifically
when cows cannot milk when they want to, or when cows do
not want to go milk (often related to cows experiencing lame-
ness). These situations are highly influenced by housing and
management in AMS barns. Udder health may pose a chal-
lenge in AMS, however, data would suggest that it need not
be. Further, we have opportunities to improve udder health
and cow welfare at the end of lactation through proper dry off
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
46
management in AMS. While AMS provide greater opportunity
for managing nutrition at the cow level, there are situations
where imbalances may occur, increasing the risk of metabolic
disease including ketosis. Overall, to address these challeng-
es no only are milking and feed management important in AMS
herds, bedding and hygiene must be also be well managed to
maintain good hoof health, cow hygiene, body condition, and
cow comfort. Finally, in addition to being able to preventatively
manage many of these potential challenges, there are also
many technologies and associated data in AMS that provide
increased opportunities to monitor, manage, and improve cow
health.
K61
Pain assessment and management in cows and calves – Part
I
Xavier Manteca
Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Spain.
Animal welfare is an essential element of modern animal
production. First and foremost, animal welfare is grounded on
ethical concerns that derive from the fact that animals are sen-
tient beings, i.e. able to suffer and experience emotions.
Societal concern over the welfare of farm animals has in-
creased recently and a growing number of citizens in many
countries now demand that farm animals are reared, transport-
ed and slaughtered as humanely as possible. For example,
according to a survey done in 2015 and involving more than
27.000 citizens from the 28 Member States of the European
Union, 94 % of them think that it is important to protect the
welfare of farm animals. Interestingly, this percentage ranged
from 86 and 99 %, showing that even in the EU countries that
are supposedly less concerned about the welfare of animals,
a clear majority of citizens believe that it should be protected.
Improving animal welfare may have additional benefits. As
many welfare problems have a detrimental effect on produc-
tion, improving the welfare of farm animals very often has pos-
itive effects on performance. Also, improving animal welfare is
one of the strategies that may contribute to reduce the use of
antimicrobials in fam animals.
It is widely accepted that animal welfare encompasses not
only the physical health of the animals (i.e. the absence of dis-
eases and injuries) but also their behaviour and emotions. Pain
is not only a consequence of several diseases and injuries,
but also an aversive emotional experience that often interferes
with the expression of normal behaviour. As such, pain is a
major welfare issue in farm animals in general, including cows
and calves. Therefore, pain prevention and management are
key aspects of animal welfare improvement strategies.
This paper will be divided into two sections. In the first sec-
tion, the principles of pain assessment in animals as well as
the economic consequences of pain will be reviewed. The sec-
ond section will address the major causes of pain in cows and
calves. In addition, the general principles underlying some of
the strategies to prevent such causes will be discussed.

Pain includes a sensory and an emotional component,
the latter being particularly important from an animal welfare
standpoint. As emotions are not easily measured in animals,
pain assessment is difficult. Indeed, the gold standard of pain
assessment in humans is self-reporting, which is not possible
in animals. Although there are several physiological indicators
that can be used to assess pain or inflammation in animals,
including for example plasma concentration of cortisol and
acute phase proteins, these are mainly useful in an experi-
mental setting and are not feasible in field conditions. Indeed,
assessment of pain in animals in field conditions is mainly
based on the observation of behavioural changes. Some be-
havioural changes will appear regardless of the cause of pain
and these include a reduction in feed intake and rumination;
licking, rubbing or scratching painful areas; grinding teeth; al-
tered social interactions, and changes in posture to avoid mov-
ing or causing contact to a painful body area. Scores based on
facial expressions were originally developed to assess pain in
laboratory animals and have more recently been developed
for some farm species. These scores have been shown to be
valid and reliable tools to assess pain and have the advantage
of requiring minimal training.
There is growing evidence that pain in farm animals has
negative consequences on production efficiency and econom-
ic profit. For example, work done in dairy cows has shown
that the administration of an anti-inflammatory drug with anal-
gesic properties to cows with mastitis in addition to the usual
antibiotic therapy reduces subsequent culling rate. Although
the mechanisms underlying this effect are not properly under-
stood, it has been suggested that it may be due to the negative
effects of pain on fertility. Similar beneficial effects of NSAIDs
in calves with respiratory problems have been found. Stud-
ies carried out in several species suggest that preventing pain
caused by parturition has positive effects on both the dam and
the offspring.
K62
Pain assessment and management in cows and calves – Part
II
Xavier Manteca.
Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Spain.
Pain in farm animals can be caused by diseases and in-
juries, husbandry practices, and parturition. Mastitis and foot
problems leading to lameness are among the main painful
conditions in dairy cows. Hyperalgesia (i.e. an increased sen-
sitivity to pain) has been described in farm animals because of
painful conditions such as lameness and mastitis.
Research has shown that all clinical mastitis, including
grade I mastitis (i.e. those that result in changes in the aspect
of milk only) are painful. For example, it has been shown that
cows with mild and moderate mastitis have significantly larg-
er hock-to-hock distances compared with healthy cows, sug-
gesting that they modify their stance to reduce pressure on
the udder. Moreover, increased restlessness during milking,
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
KEYNOTE LECTURES — Cattle Welfare
including a high frequency of kicking and stepping, has been
observed for at least 3 days after mastitis detection.
Animals with foot conditions suffer long-lasting pain that
may commence well before lameness is apparent. Although
different locomotion scoring systems have been developed for
routine use by farmers, it should be noted that lameness is
usually underreported by producers. Signs such as head bob-
bing, arching of the spine and changes in stride length allow a
rapid identification of lame individuals.
Management of pain caused by mastitis and foot condi-
tions includes both the appropriate use of analgesia and an-
aesthesia as well as changes in management and husbandry
that reduce the risk of mastitis and lameness. The link between
animal welfare and animal health (including the absence of
conditions such as mastitis and lameness) includes several
aspects. As health is an important part of welfare, medical con-
ditions must be considered as welfare problems. Additionally,
many welfare problems that are not directly related to physical
health have an important effect on the risk of animals devel-
oping medical conditions such as mastitis and lameness. This
is partly due to the fact that chronic stress (which is a welfare
problem) may cause immunodepression. Also, many welfare
issues related to housing and behaviour (including for exam-
ple thermal and physical discomfort, negative social interac-
tions between animals and poor human-animal relationship,
among others) may have a direct effect on the risk of animals
developing lameness and mastitis.
Some of the main painful husbandry practices in cows and
dairy calves are tail docking, disbudding and dehorning. The
alleged benefits of these practices should be weighed against
their negative effects on animal. Tail docking provides a good
example to illustrate this principle. For example, dairy cows
are oftentimes tail docked based on the assumption that tail
docking reduces the risk of mastitis; however, there is no sci-
entific evidence at all that supports this assumption.
Disbudding and dehorning are always painful, regardless
of the method used and the age of the animals. Moreover,
there is now evidence that pain caused by disbudding may
result in negative cognitive bias in calves, i.e. calves will judge
a neutral stimulus as being negative. Cognitive bias is consid-
ered to be a useful indicator of the general emotional state of
the animals, and the effects of disbudding on cognitive bias il-
lustrate the far-reaching consequences that this practice -if not
done with appropriate analgesia and anaesthesia- may have
on the welfare of the animals. Also, the experience of pain very
early in life may have long-lasting consequences in pain sen-
sitivity and there is now evidence that animals that suffer pain
shortly after birth may remain more sensitive to subsequent
pain for a long period.
It is well accepted that dystocia results in pain in both the
dam and the offspring. Whether normal parturition is also pain-
ful is less clear. However, even after normal parturition, plas-
ma levels of haptoglobin remain higher than normal for at least
15 days in heifers and 4 days in cows. Haptoglobin is an acute
phase protein that increases because of tissue damage and
inflammation.
47
KEYNOTE LECTURES — Feedlot
Feedlot
K65
Bovine Respiratory Disease in Feedlot Production – Past,
Present, and Future
Calvin Booker1, Ryan Rademacher2.
Feedlot Health Management Services, Ltd., Okotoks, Canada; 2Feedlot
1 The objective of this presentation is to inform industry
Health Management Services by TELUS Agriculture.
The objective of this presentation is to inform industry
stakeholders about the evolution of bovine respiratory disease
(BRD) prevention and control strategies in feedlot production.
The materials and methods utilized to achieve this objec-
tive include rigorous research and development, large scale
field trials performed in commercial feedlots, and an extensive
database and analysis of animal health outcomes. Additional-
ly, the collection of experts at Feedlot Health are at the leading
edge of new technologies and strategies for feedlot production
and health management and thus have insights into the future
of BRD.
The results of these data and experiences show us how
BRD management has evolved and continues to evolve over
time. In the early years of feedlot production, the tools avail-
able to manage BRD were limited. Not only has our knowledge
of the disease process and risk factors improved, but so have
the technologies (e.g. vaccines and antimicrobials) available
to prevent and control disease. The industry has moved from
treating all cattle entering feedlots relatively similarly, to differ-
entiating sub-populations based on their specific risk factors
and managing those populations accordingly. Into the future,
new technologies will continue to be developed and properly
evaluated to identify those that provide more precise and ac-
curate disease prediction down to the individual animal level.
In conjunction with continually improving understanding of dis-
ease processes, the advancements in disease prediction and
detection technologies will allow for evaluation of differential
management strategies tailored to the individual animal rather
than the group average.
In conclusion, BRD management has evolved with better
ability to identify risk factors and predict outcomes, as well as
improved tools to prevent and control disease. In the future,
new technologies will allow for differential management down
to the individual animal level. Specifically tailored protocols will
continue to improve animal health, animal welfare, judicious
use of antimicrobials, and overall sustainability of cattle pro-
ducers and the industry.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
48
K66
The use of technology for cattle health management in the
feedlot
Calvin Booker1, Eric Behlke2.
Feedlot Health Management Services, Ltd., Okotoks, Canada; 2Feedlot
1
Health Management Services by TELUS Agriculture.
stakeholders about the current status and plans for future
evaluations of several technological advances that have been
developed, and are being tested for use in managing cattle
health in feedlots.
The materials and methods utilized to achieve this ob-
jective included the evaluation of the following technologies in
the large-scale commercial feedlot environment: Remote Ear-
ly Disease Identification System; Whisper Veterinary Stetho-
scope; QScout Blood Leukocyte Differential; and Infrared
Thermography. Following real-time monitoring and(or) data
collection with each of these technologies, chute-site data col-
lection software was used to track morbidity and mortality out-
comes. The morbidity and mortality outcomes were then used
to retrospectively identify the diagnostic value(s) of the data
generated by each respective technology.
The results from these evaluations indicate that each of
these technologies provide additional information that may
have the potential to be used to make differential management
decisions, but the cost effectiveness of this differential man-
agement has yet to be elucidated and will require continued
evaluations of these technologies.
The collective conclusions from these evaluations are
that feedlot veterinarians, owners, and managers continue to
embrace and adopt technologies to optimize their operations
and increase their return on investments. Like in many indus-
tries, a growing number of innovative technologies promise
to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of production, but
each technology must be scrutinized and assigned a value
proposition prior to full-scale deployment.

Diagnostic Imaging
K67
The Evolution of Bovine Reproductive Ultrasound and the
Role of Veterinarians
Jill Colloton.
Bovine Services, Edgar, USA.
Objectives: The objective of this presentation is to review
the parallel evolution of reproductive management of cattle
and the use of ultrasound as a diagnostic tool since 1995, to
consider possible future developments, and to encourage vet-
erinarians to be the primary providers of ultrasound diagnostic
services.
Materials and methods: Historical documents and per-
sonal experience in practice were compiled to present a time-
line of the evolution of management and diagnostic methods
for bovine reproduction. Current research was reviewed to un-
derstand possible future developments.
Client interviews were utilized to understand the produc-
er’s perspective in choosing a provider for diagnosis and con-
sultation regarding the reproductive health programs on their
farms.
Results: Parallel advances in the management and di-
agnosis of bovine reproductive health over the last 30 years
have driven the need for skilled consultants and diagnosti-
cians. Producers recognize that their veterinarians are unique-
ly suited to understand the current science and best provide
these services. They also feel their veterinarian is more cost
effective and reliable than hiring a technician or training a farm
employee.
Conclusions: As the capabilities of ultrasound technol-
ogy and our knowledge of bovine reproductive management
evolve veterinarians are uniquely equipped to provide the best
service for producers. 
K68
The Doppler in field reproductive management: effective
resource or pure fantasy?
Giovanni Gnemmi.
BOVINEVET INTERNACIONAL Bovine Ultrasound Services & Herd
Management, Huesca, Spain.
Objectives: Is the Doppler a technique that we can use on
a daily basis in dairy/beef farms? Is Doppler a technique that
only has a reason to be used in research?
Can we use Doppler for the diagnosis of non-pregnancy in
cattle? Are there differences between dairy and beef cattle?
When is it convenient to perform this examination?
Can we use Doppler for the selection of recipients in em-
bryo transfer?  cation. It is worth remembering that while around 25 million
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
KEYNOTE LECTURES — Diagnostic Imaging
Is it possible to use Doppler to define the time of ovulation? 
Is it possible to use the Doppler to define the time of the
oestrus cycle?
Is it difficult to learn to use Doppler? Is it difficult to set up
the ultrasound scanner to use the Doppler? Is it convenient to
buy an ultrasound scanner with Doppler?
Can I use Doppler to define the physio-pathology of the
uterus?
Can I use the Doppler to make a diagnosis of embryonic
distress and/or can I use this technique to define possible rea-
sons for a possible therapeutic strategy?
These are some of the questions that the practitioners in-
volved bovine reproduction regularly asks their self when de-
ciding whether to engage in this technique. The purpose of this
presentation is to give a simple and honest answer to these
questions. 
Materials & Methods: Personal experience and a critical
analysis of the bibliography on the subject of Doppler in bovine
reproduction are shared. The point of view of the customer, i.e.
the buyer of the service, is shared. The state of the art of the
technique in practice and research is defined, and an attempt
is also made to understand the possible developments of the
technique also in the light of artificial intelligence.
Results: The Doppler today, for the veterinarian involved
in reproductive management in the field, has its own reason for
use in the indirect definition of the level of progesterone pro-
duced by the corpus luteum: this certainly opens up the pos-
sibility of more precise ultrasound reproductive management. 
Doppler assessment of the corpus luteum allows an accu-
rate diagnosis of non-gestation: 5.0-10.0% false positives and
approximately 0.5-1.0% false negatives. 
In the selection of recipients for embryo transfer, the pos-
sible use of the Doppler technique is opening up. However,
according to the writer, it will take some time before this tech-
nique can be applied on a scale. Ad of In the selection of re-
cipients for embryo transfer, the possible use of the Doppler
technique is opening up. However, according to the writer, it
will take some time before this technique can be applied on
a scale. To date, the accuracy of the technique is greatly af-
fected by two factors: the quality of the Doppler used and the
experience of the technician.
The other possible applications of the Doppler technique
are still at an experimental stage and have not, however, en-
countered definitive scientific validation.
Conclusions: It is certain that Doppler will be incorporat-
ed into all ultrasound units, even ultra-portable ones, within
the next five years. With regard to its possible actual use in
the field, i.e. outside scientific research, it is currently difficult
to see a concrete application outside the assessment of the
degree of vascularisation of the corpus luteum. The use of ar-
tificial intelligence will probably make the technique usable on
a scale, reducing the objective limitations, today represented
by the set up of the ultrasound unit and above all by the expe-
rience of the technician.
For those who work in the reproductive management of
beef cattle and where fixed-time insemination with re-syn-
chronisation is used, this technique finds immediate appli-
49
KEYNOTE LECTURES —Diagnostic Imaging
fixed-time inseminations are carried out in Mercosur today, in
other continents such as Europe, artificial insemination, and
especially fixed-time insemination of beef cattle, is still an em-
bryonic technique, also due to a whole series of limitations
and prejudices related to synchronisation. In dairy cattle, on
the other hand, where fixed-time insemination is widely used,
there remains the problem of defining a re-synchronisation
programme, currently unavailable, that allows a weekly diag-
nosis of non-gestation.
K69
Use of ultrasound to improve reproductive management in
dairy or beef cattle
Giovanni Gnemmi.
BOVINEVET INTERNACIONAL Bovine Ultrasound Services & Herd
Management, Huesca, Spain.
Objectives: The purpose of this presentation is to demon-
strate how the use of ultrasound allows us to define in which
phase (luteal-follicular) of the oestrus cycle the cow is, but
also in which part of each phase (meta-oestrus, di-oestrus;
pro-oestrus, oestrus). The main purpose of this evaluation is
to optimise the use of oestrus synchronization of the ovula-
tion, pre-synchronisation and re-synchronisation. But also to
be able to establish, on the basis of the follicular map and
the ultrasound stratigraphy of the uterus, if and when the cow
could enter oestrus.
Materials & Methods: A portable or ultra-portable ultra-
sound scanner, working in B-Mode, allows us to define with
great precision whether we are in the luteal phase or the follic-
ular phase of the oestral cycle. In the luteal phase the hormon-
al profile is progestin, so the myometrium and endometrium
have the same thickness and echogenicity when analysed at a
frequency of 5.0-10.0 MHz. The uterine lumen, if the cow does
not have a chronic inflammatory process of the uterus, will be
a virtual space.
In the follicular phase, the hormonal profile is oestrogen-
ic: the myometrium is contracted and, due to the increase in
acoustic density, will be echogenic. The vascular tonaca is
thickened and the endometrium is oedematous, causing dila-
tion of the blood vessels, which will appear as small anecho-
genic spaces in the endometrial structure. The endometrium
is hypo-ecogenic and the uterine lumen shows increased fluid,
which is anecogenic. The shape of the uterine lumen is star-
shaped or Christmas tree-shaped.
Once the phase of the cycle is established, we move on to
define the follicular map and the presence of the corpus lute-
um or corpora lutei, whose age will be established on the basis
of the presence of one or more dominant follicles and their
size. Once it has been established in which moment of the
cycle the cow is, it is possible to give indications as to whether
and when she will come into oestrus, but also to establish with
great precision, whether it is possible and/or convenient to re-
sort to oestrus synchronisation (PGF2a), or synchronization of
the ovulation.  right cranial lung is of special interest in calves and its specific
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
50
Results: The more thorough the technician’s knowledge
of the oestral cycle and the better the quality of the ultrasound
unit in use and its set-up, the greater the accuracy of the meth-
od. Possible sources of error may arise from the presence of
co-dominance and/or the presence of a persistent dominant
follicle from a previous oestral cycle. This assessment is
based on a pre-judgment: that if we visit dairy cows, they are
two-wave growth, whereas when we work with beef cows and/
or heifers (both dairy and beef), they are three-wave follicular
growth. 
Conclusions: This technique makes it possible to define
with extreme precision the estrous window in which the cow
is located and whether the cow is cyclical. This makes it pos-
sible to optimise all forms of hormone therapy. However, this
technique opens up a great opportunity in herds where, for
various reasons, it has been decided not to resort to the sys-
tematic use of pre-synchronisation or oestrus synchronisation.
It is a technique that fits in perfectly with all oestrus detection
systems and allows confirmation of the indication derived from
electronic or manual oestrus detection systems. It is a very
precise technique, but based on a single ultrasound evalua-
tion, it is not free of errors, which may result from the initial
pre-judgment in the definition of the follicular waves and not
only.
New ultrasound scanners, even ultra-portable ones, al-
ready allow automatic measurement of follicular maps. In a
few years’ time, with the advent of artificial intelligence, it is
very likely that the accuracy of this diagnostic method will im-
prove, making it possible to reduce the natural margin of error
that exists today.
K70
Thoracic ultrasonograpy in calves: an affordable diagnostic
tool in farms
Sebastien Buczinski.
Faculté of veterinary medicine, Saint-Hyacinthe, Canada.
Thoracic ultrasonography is an emerging field of research
for bronchopneumonia diagnosis and management in cattle.
The technique can be fastly applied in farms with the same
ultrasound unit that is commonly used for reproductive pur-
pose. Thoracic ultrasonography helps to characterize the im-
portance of lung lesions (mainly consolidation) that are nega-
tively associated with health and production outcomes. This
ancillary tool can be useful to assess calf lung health and to
monitor implementation of mitigation strategies for respiratory
disease prevention and treatment. Thoracic ultrasonography
is an emerging field of research for bronchopneumonia diag-
nosis and management in cattle. The technique can be fastly
applied in farms with the same ultrasound unit that is com-
monly used for reproductive purpose. Detection of lung con-
solidation with ultrasound is reliable between different opera-
tors with minimal training. It is important to perform a bilateral
examination because unilateral lung lesions are common. The

landmark with the internal thoracic artery and vein. Thoracic
ultrasonography helps to characterize the importance of lung
lesions (mainly lung consolidation) that are negatively associ-
ated with health and production outcomes. Animals with lung
lesions (using various thresholds and consideration for case
definition) have been found at higher risk of dyingor being
culled before the first calving. Other findings associated with
lung consolidation are decreased average daily gain during
the preweaning period and decreased hazard of first pregnan-
cy. Finally, decreased milk production during the first lactation
has also been reported. In feedlot, beef and veal calves, tho-
racic ultrasonography although less studied has also been as-
sociated with various negative outcomes. 
This ancillary tool can be useful to assess calf lung health
and to monitor implementation of mitigation strategies for re-
spiratory disease prevention and treatment. Thoracic ultraso-
nography is a fast and affordable diagnostic test that can be
used calf-side with no specific investment. This is an extra-tool
in the bronchopneumonia diagnostic toolbox. However, this is
not a magic tool and limitations should be known when trying
to implement it in practice.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
KEYNOTE LECTURES — Sustainable Cattle Productive Systems
Sustainable Cattle Productive Systems
K71
Sustainability in action – how do we “meat” demand
without “milking” the environment
Jude Capper.
Livestock Sustainability Consultancy, Harwell, Oxfordshire, UK.
Sustainable food production is one of the most often-dis-
cussed issues within agriculture, given concerns regarding
climate change, resource use, animal health and welfare,
antimicrobial resistance and the provision of affordable food.
Although myriad definitions of sustainable food exist, the most
widely-accepted comprises a balance between economic via-
bility, environmental responsibility and social acceptability, yet
the latter component has recently become disproportionate-
ly important, as consumers have increasing questions about
how their food is produced.
Livestock productivity must continue to increase in line
with future population growth, so that sufficient animal source
foods can be produced to fulfil consumer requirements, while
lessening the impact on the environment. For example, in the
USA, the move towards large-scale intensive farming con-
ferred a reduction in the greenhouse gas emissions (GHGe)
per kg of milk by 63% between 1944 and 2007, with a fur-
ther 19% reduction between 2007 and 2017. Similar effects
were achieved in U.S. beef systems, with an 18% reduction in
GHGe per kg between 1977 and 2007; and in both pork (35%
reduction between 1959 and 2009) and egg production (63%
reduction between 1960 and 2010). A clear differentiation
should be drawn however, between improving productivity in
all livestock systems with due regard for social, economic and
resource use constraints, and imposing or prescribing practic-
es or systems with regards for sustainability impacts or trade-
offs. Given the billions of smallholder and subsistence farmers
across the world who rely on livestock for myriad reasons, a
wholescale global transition to intensive production systems is
not the solution.
Animal health is one of the key determinants of produc-
tivity, with over 20% of global animal protein lost to disease.
As healthy animals produce greater yields of milk or meat, or
grow at a faster rate, improving animal health reduces both
the economic costs and the environmental impacts of livestock
production. Animal health is also a significant consideration for
many consumers, who want to be reassured that that the milk,
meat and eggs that they buy come from healthy livestock.
Good animal health therefore promotes social acceptability,
reduces the risk of public health issues and reduces the need
for veterinary medicines – a significant positive effect given
the threat of antimicrobial resistance to both animal and hu-
man health. The economic benefits accruing from improved
animal health, also allow improved affordability of meat, milk
and eggs to the consumer.
The extent of the environmental and economic improve-
ments conferred by improved livestock health and the quantity
of data in the literature varies considerably between species
and diseases. For example, the economic costs of bovine re-
spiratory disease complex and infectious bovine rhinotracheitis
51
KEYNOTE LECTURES — Sustainable Cattle Productive Systems
are relatively well-defined, and multiple papers have quantified
the reductions in GHGe conferred by improving mastitis inci-
dence in dairy cattle; yet the economic impacts of many other
diseases tend to be dated, with no quantification of associ-
ated resource use or GHGe. Considerable knowledge gaps
therefore exist relating to interactions between productivity,
livestock disease, economic cost and environmental impact.
These gaps urgently need to be filled, both to help producers
to understand the economic and environmental cost:benefit
ratios of management practices or treatment decisions, and
to allow downstream food industry stakeholders (e.g. proces-
sors, retailers and restaurants) to make informed decisions.
Improving livestock productivity through enhanced animal
health provides a strategy to mitigate environmental impacts,
increase economic viability and reassure consumers for whom
health and welfare are key concerns. This triple-win approach
aligns with One Health principles and provides a clear mech-
anism to enhance sustainability, however, the implementation
of global animal health protocols and access to veterinary
medicines remains an ongoing challenge.
K72
Feeding the world without devouring it
Frank M. Mitloehner.
University of California, Davis, USA.
By 2050, Earth will be home to nearly 10 billion people,
a tripled human population during our lifetime. Only 1.8% of
the Earth’s surface is arable land that can be used for grow-
ing crops, a resource not likely to increase, which means the
amount of cropland per person will decline by 20%. In the face
of finite resources and a changing climate, we need sustain-
able solutions to the 2050 food challenge. Our current food
system is often criticized for not addressing chronic undernu-
trition, micronutrient deficiencies and obesity. And agriculture
does contribute to issues of environmental sustainability. Live-
stock production is often seen as particularly egregious, and
some people say we can better meet the 2050 food challenge
by limiting or eliminating animal-source foods from our diet.
Critics of animal agriculture go as far as to claim that global-
ly, livestock produces more greenhouse gases than the entire
transportation sector. Less livestock production would reduce
greenhouse gas emissions, provide more food for humans
by decreasing feed needed for livestock, and free up range-
land and feedlots for crop production. In short - Eat less meat
to save the environment. At first glance, this simple solution
seems elegant and one that should be readily adopted. How-
ever, the truth is far more complicated.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
52
K73
Cows of the future – challenges and opportunities for
sustainable cattle systems
Jude Capper.
Livestock Sustainability Consultancy, Harwell, Oxfordshire, UK.
There is no “one-size-fits-all” sustainable cattle system
– the degree to which different livestock systems are consid-
ered sustainable depends on the region, culture, market and
metric of choice. Sustainable systems balance environmental
responsibility, economic viability and social acceptability, yet of
these three factors, the first has become disproportionately im-
portant. The widespread media coverage of climate change is-
sues, augmented by the outcomes of the recent COP26 Con-
ference and the publicity afforded to the primarily plant-based
“Eat Lancet” diet, means that ruminant systems are often cited
as being environmentally damaging. An urgent need therefore
exists to improve the greenhouse gas emissions (GHGe) of all
cattle operations to demonstrate, highlight and communicate
our dedication to improving environmental sustainability.
Livestock industries in high-income regions have tended
to reduce GHGe per kg of food produced through improve-
ments in genetics, nutrition, health and management over the
past century. Given that the USA-based dairy cow that holds
the world record for 365-d milk production yielded 35,437 kg,
it is clear that further genetic gains may still be available in
dairy systems. The difficulty of processing and marketing larg-
er beef carcasses means that increasing carcass weight may
not be a sustainable strategy for beef production, however
considerable opportunities exist through improving both age
at slaughter and reproductive efficiency. If appropriate breed-
ing goals are identified to ensure that cows and calves can
make the best use of the resources available; pasture and
feed are managed efficiently and with due regard for optimal
production; and livestock health is made a priority; then re-
source use and GHGe may be reduced. Producing beef from
dairy systems can also reduce GHGe, because a considerable
proportion of the dam’s environmental impacts can be allocat-
ed to milk production. These systems therefore may improve
environmental responsibility, in addition to solving one of the
major social acceptability issues of dairy production – the fate
of dairy bull calves. Traditional suckler/cow-calf systems will
therefore need to be proactive in communicating their role in
producing food from grassland that is unsuitable for other food
or fibre production, while sequestering carbon.
Technology use should be encouraged wherever possible,
from basic husbandry practices (e.g. weighing cattle), to repro-
ductive, growth and management technologies that are novel,
not yet widely adopted or still under development (e.g. sexed
semen, hormone implants, methane inhibitors). Crucially, this
must be undertaken in combination with improved data col-
lection, recording and benchmarking. Future consumers will
demand information on a range of sustainability metrics (e.g.
GHGe, biodiversity, medicines use, community support, etc),
yet this will only be possible via credible data. At present there
is no standard GHGe tool for use across the globe, and the
tools available produce wildly differing results. With national,
supply chain and product GHGe quantification becoming man-
datory, a standard tool is required to ensure fair comparisons

and provide insights into the effects of on-farm practices.
One of the greatest sustainability issues that the cattle in-
dustry needs to overcome is the gap in knowledge and un-
derstanding between the producer and the consumer, which,
when hitherto-underknown practices are exposed, may lead
to accusations that farmers lack transparency or are cruel to
animals. This is challenging in an era where television, inter-
net and social media have overtaken traditional print media
and literature as information sources and arguments against
livestock production that appeal to aesthetic or ethical values
are sometimes more successful than science-led information.
Rather than trying to combat anthropomorphic or ethical claims
with scientific facts, we need to combine the two, acknowl-
edging that we share consumer desires for affordable healthy
food, excellent animal health and welfare and reduced envi-
ronmental impacts, and demonstrating a clear commitment to
systems and management practices that promote these.
Ultimately, consumer trust is key to maintaining the social
acceptability of cattle production. A sustainable future for cat-
tle production will be independent of either economic viability
or environmental responsibility if the market ceases to exist
for milk and meat. However, if we improve livestock produc-
tivity, technology adoption and data recording in conjunction
with improved consumer communication, we should be able to
balance the three pillars of sustainability and ensure that milk
and meat are still on the menu in years to come.
K74
Livestock and climate change – Facts and fiction
Frank M. Mitloehner.
University of California, Davis, USA.
Animal agriculture is often shouldered with a large part
of the blame when it comes to climate change, and that’s in
part to the fact that we haven’t been looking at all greenhouse
gases correctly. While methane – the main greenhouse gas
associated with animal agriculture – is a potent climate pollut-
ant that we can and need to reduce, it warms our atmosphere
differently than other gases because of its short lifespan.
Methane persists in our atmosphere for about a dozen years
before it’s broken down via oxidation, and it’s that atmospher-
ic removal that is often neglected when trying to characterize
methane’s warming impact. Furthermore, if we can reduce
methane emissions to the point where more is being broken
down in the atmosphere than is being emitted, we’ll see an-
imal agriculture go from being blamed for climate change to
being recognized as a major climate solution. By rethinking
methane, we can see that animal agriculture’s path to climate
neutrality is within reach as scalable solutions offer the global
community tools to fight global climate change.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
KEYNOTE LECTURES — Surgery
Surgery
K76
Cesarean section in cattle
Sylvain Nichols.
Montreal University, Canada.
Introduction: Dystocia in dairy and beef cattle are fairly
common (1.1-6.8% of all calvings). Vaginal manipulation can
resolve the dystocia. However, in cases of fetal disproportion,
cervical inertia, malformation or complicated malposition, a
c-section will be necessary.
Preoperative treatments: Preoperative antibiotics, such
as procaine penicillin, should be given. It is also appropri-
ate to give a NSAID, such as meloxicam. The surgery site is
clipped and prepared appropriately for surgery (washed and
scrubbed). Most c-sections are done with the cow standing
and restrained in a contention chute. Sedation is rarely need-
ed.
For a standing procedure, the flank is anesthetized by
paravertebral block (proximal or distal), inverted L or line block.
The technique chosen is often based on surgeon experience.
Surgical approaches: Typically, the left paralumbar fossa
is used to access the uterus. From this approach, the rumen
acts as a barrier to keep the jejunum in the abdomen. Exteri-
orization is crucial with a dead calf. However, with a live calf
that had minimal obstetrical manipulation, the uterus can be
opened within the abdomen.
Ventral approaches are possible in cattle. They are usual-
ly performed on dead or emphysemateous calves. The ven-
tral-midline and the right paramammary have been described
in beef cattle. Those are more difficult to execute on dairy cat-
tle because of the size of the udder and the massive vascular
network. The para-mammary/inguinal approach can be used
in dairy cattle. The ventral approach provides a more direct
access to the uterus.
Surgical techniques: Hysterotomy is performed on the
greater curvature. The calf is extracted gently to avoid tear-
ing the uterus. With the uterus still exteriorized, the uterus
is checked for another calf. The placenta, if detached, is re-
moved. If it is still attached, scissors are used to remove the
part that comes out of the hysterotomy. A double inverting pat-
tern is the technique of choice for closure of the uterus. The
patterns that can be used are continuous Utrech, Cushing or
lembert. On the second layer, it is important to burry the knots
to avoid adhesions. Absorbable suture material of USP 1 is ap-
propriate. Some advocate the use of monofilament instead of
multifilament to decrease the drag effect. If the latter is used, it
is important to push the tissue over the suture rather than pull
the suture through the tissue to avoid the dragging effect and
tearing of the uterus.
Before being returned in the abdomen, the uterus is
cleaned of blood clots and debris. If the surgery was contam-
inated and if possible, the abdomen should be thoroughly la-
vaged with sterile isotonic solution. Ideally, the lavage solution
is evacuated, by massage or by suction prior to closing the
abdomen.
53
KEYNOTE LECTURES — Surgery
Postoperative treatments
Antibiotics should be continued and readjusted according
to the surgical findings (live vs dead calf, clean contaminated
vs contaminated surgery) and any co-morbidities occurring
(mastitis, metritis, etc). NSAID should be given as needed and
according to the general status of the cow.
The postoperative period following a c-section performed
to extract an emphysematous fetus is challenging. Intrave-
nous fluids, broad spectrum antibiotics and oral transfaunation
are often necessary for the first postoperative days.
Complications and Prognosis: The status of the calf has
an impact on the severity of the postoperative complications.
The most severe complication would be peritonitis. Retained
fetal membrane is another complication. It needs to be treated
more aggressively because the hysterotomy site can be an
opening and cause secondary peritonitis. According to Lyons
et al, the presence of retained membrane has a negative im-
pact on the survival of cows 14 days after the procedure.
According to Lyons et al, exteriorizing the uterus and re-
moving the abdominal blood clots during surgery has a pos-
itive impact on the survival of the cow. Also, c-section done
because of feto-pelvic disproportion of a female calf has a pos-
itive impact on cow survival.
Tenhagen et al, showed that cows undergoing a c-section
produce less milk at the beginning of lactation and are more
likely to be open at 200 DIM. Therefore, they are more likely to
be culled when compared to a control group.
K77
Surgical management of common intestinal conditions in
adult cattle
André Desrochers.
Université de Montréal, Canada.
The objective of this presentation is to present some basic
intestinal conditions that can be handled in field situation with
emphasis on duodenum and jejunum.
Surgical approach: The most common surgical condi-
tions reported in the literature are: intussusception, volvulus of
the jejunum, incarceration and jejunal hemorrhage syndrome.
Other less frequent conditions are: gut tie in steers, duodenal
obstruction, trichobezoar, ileal impaction and sigmoid flexure
volvulus of the duodenum. Since the last few years, we have
more sigmoid flexure volvulus than any other intestinal sur-
gical condition combined. Intestinal surgeries are performed
usually through a right flank incision while the animal is stand-
ing. Preoperative analgesia is provided to the patient before
invading the abdomen. Mild sedation might be necessary.
Broad spectrum antibiotics must be given before the surgery.
The flank is anesthetized by linear infiltration of lidocaine or
with a paravertebral block.
In cattle, the mesentery is short and fatty rendering vessels
ligation difficult. It is recommended to infiltrate the mesentery
with lidocaine before resection to alleviate the pain from pull-
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
54
ing on the mesentery. Only the affected portion of the intestine
is exteriorized. End-to-end anastomosis is more commonly
done than side-to-side. Doyen forceps, silicone or rubber tub-
ing, and umbilical tape have been used to keep the resected
section tight while suturing. The anastomosis is sutured with
one layer of full thickness simple interrupted sutures with 2-0
absorbable suture on a swaged on needle. Simple continuous
suture can be used but should be interrupted at one point to
avoid a purse string effect (2X 180o). The mesentery should
always be sutured to avoid incarceration. Specific intestinal
diseases.
Intussusception is reported to be more common in young
cattle and Brown Swiss. The most common site of intussus-
ceptions is jejunum followed by colocolic. Effective reduction
of the intussusception in surgery is rarely feasible therefore,
surgical resection is indicated. The prognosis is fair.
Intestinal volvulus is rapidly fatal if not treated. Volvulus
can involve either the ileal flange of the jejunum or the root of
the mesentery. Surgery is an emergency. Exteriorization of a
portion of the jejunum is necessary to reduce the volvulus. Re-
section of the jejunum will be performed if the ileal flange un-
derwent irreversible vascular damage. The prognosis is 86% if
the ileal flange is involved and 44% with a volvulus of the root
of the mesentery.
Jejunal Hemorrhage Syndrome has a high mortality rate
(60-100%). Although medical assistance is necessary in all
animals, surgery is indicated only if there are signs of obstruc-
tions: scant feces, distended jejunum with or without intralu-
minal mass at rectal palpation and transabdominal ultrasound
findings. Otherwise the animal is treated medically with 2-4
liters of mineral oil orally, IV fluids or blood transfusion and
systemic antibiotics (β-lactam). The affected segment of je-
junum is easily identified at surgery. There are 3 surgical op-
tions: aborad massage of the clot, enterotomy and resection
anastomosis. Decision is based on the length of the clot and
the integrity of the jejunal wall. Prompt laparotomy and manual
massage had a higher survival rates in one study. Medium and
long term survival rate was higher in cattle referred 24 to 48
hours after onset of signs. The recurrence rate although was
high.
Duodenal obstruction should be suspected if there is a
severe hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis with a small ‘ping’
behind the last right rib and absence of intestinal distension
at the rectal palpation. If the cause cannot be determined, a
temporary diagnosis of ileus is given and large volume of intra-
venous fluids is administered for 12 to 24 hours. Enterotomy
can be performed on the cranial and descending duodenum to
remove a foreign body or trichobezoar. However, any obstruc-
tion involving the sigmoid flexure of the duodenum is difficult
because it cannot be exteriorized.
The volvulus of the sigmoid flexure of the duodenum is a
surgical condition and diagnosis is confirmed during the lap-
arotomy. The sigmoid flexure is severely distended with gas
and a volvulus is palpated at its root close to the neck of the
gall bladder on the visceral part of the liver. The volvulus is
reduced and cranial duodenal content is milked through the
flexure to ensure that it’s functional. The prognosis is good if
the sigmoid flexure is not necrotic.

K78
Distal Limb Fracture and Pin Casting
Sylvain Nichols.
Montreal University, Canada.
Limb fractures are frequent in cattle. They often involve the
metacarpus and the metatarsus, but they can occur in all long
bones of cattle.
A pin cast is a modified type II external fixator. The com-
monly used sidebars are replaced by casting material made
of fiberglass. A pin cast can be used on fractures involving the
metacarpus and metatarsus and the distal radius and tibia.
Surgical Preparation: The procedure is performed with
the animal under general anesthesia or under sedation with
regional anesthesia (brachial plexus bloc, epidural, or IV under
tourniquet). The position varies according to surgeon prefer-
ence and the equipment available. The surgery site is clipped,
cleaned and prepared for surgery. Preoperative antibiotics and
an NSAID is given prior to the surgery.
Pin Selection and Surgical Planning: Smooth and pos-
itive profile centrally threaded Steinmann pins are available
from 2 mm to 6.4 mm. The threaded pins have a better holding
power. However, they can be difficult to insert in older animal
with thick cortices. The size of the pins should not exceed 20%
of the diameter of the bone. A minimum of 2 pins are need-
ed proximal to the fracture. They are inserted in the proximal
or distal metaphysis and diaphysis. The middle of the bone
needs to be avoided. The distance between the pins needs
to be at least 6 times the size of the pins. To increase the
distance between the pins in small fragment, the pins can be
placed in a divergent plane.
Insertion Technique: A stab incision of the skin down to
the bone is realized. The appropriate drill bit is used to create
the pin hole. In older animals with thick cortices, the drilling
needs to be done in steps to avoid overheating the bone. The
drill bit is flushed with cool saline during drilling. If a threaded
pin is used, the thread will be created with the appropriate tap.
When the drill bit reaches the far cortex, it is found under the
skin and another stab incision is created. When the pins are
all in place, they are cut with a bolt cutter, leaving approximatly
3 cm out of the skin. A light bandage is placed over the pins. A
bandage is then applied as is done for a standard cast appli-
cation (stockinette, felt over bony prominences, etc.). Finally,
the casting material is applied while traction and support are
provided to the fracture. Most of the cast material is pushed
through or wrapped around the pins to create a solid construct.
For the last roll of casting material, the material is placed over
the sharp edges of the pins to cover them completely. The
hoof has to be included. It is important that the cast end is not
too close to the last pin, to avoid creating a leaver that can
stress the bone and cause a catastrophic fracture.
Postoperative Care and Follow-up: Systemic antibiotics
and NSAIDs are used in the early postoperative period. The
animal is confined to a stall. In calves, the cast is changed
after 3 to 4 weeks. The pins are removed by rotating them out.
The holes are cleaned and flushed. A second cast is then ap-
plied. In older animals, the first cast and pins are kept in place
for 4 to 6 weeks if the animal is comfortable.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
KEYNOTE LECTURES — Surgery
Complications and Prognosis: Pins and bone fractures
at the pin/bone interface is a catastrophic complication. Pin
loosening and ring sequestrum (osteitis) at the insertion site
is a frequent complication that is secondary to overheating of
the bone during drilling. It may cause discomfort to the animal.
However, it usually resolves with removal of the pins. Delayed
healing can be seen when pins are kept for a prolonged period
of time. Other complications are associated with coaptation of
the limb.
In a retrospective study by Lozier et al, looking specifically
at fractures fixed with a pin cast in ruminant (cattle, goat and
sheep), 79% of the cases survived to the removal of the coap-
tation. At long-term follow up, 85% of the cases were perform-
ing according to the owners’ expectation despite the fact that
45% of the animal had some degree of lameness.
K79
Clinical management of septic arthritis
André Desrochers.
Université de Montréal, Canada.
Septic arthritis can be caused by a direct trauma to the
articulation (primary), an adjacent infection to the articulation
(secondary), a systemic infection (tertiary). Direct trauma is a
common cause of septic arthritis in adult cattle. Calves with
infected umbilical infection or adult with endocarditis are at
risk for polyarthritis from a remote site. Septic arthritis in cattle
is of bacterial origin. Bacteria isolated from the articulations
will depend of the cause of infection. The most common in
adult are: Trueperella pyogenes, Escherichia coli, and other
environmental bacteria. In calves, a recent study found that
Streptococcus spp followed by Mycoplasma bovis were the
most common bacteria isolated in septic joints.
Diagnosis: Adult cattle affected of septic arthritis are
severely lame. During the physical examination, emphasis
should be on investigating the origin of the septic arthritis with
a very special focus on the umbilicus in calves. The most fre-
quent joint involved are the carpus, tarsus, stifle and fetlock.
Arthrocentesis can be easily done. Macroscopic examination
of the fluid is often diagnostic (increased turbidity, decrease
viscosity, fibrin). Bacterial isolation and identification are pos-
sible in only 50 % of the samples submitted. Radiographic ex-
amination helps the clinician to specify his diagnosis, and to
establish a prognosis. Soft tissues are better evaluated with
ultrasound examination. In our clinics, we’ve been using ultra-
sound to determine the presence and location of fibrin in the
joint helping the clinician in his choice of treatment.
Treatment: Basic principles have to be followed:1- control
the infection, 2-drain abnormal joint fluid 3-control inflamma-
tion and 4-restore joint function. In any cases, primary cause
should be treated; calves with omphalophlebitis have to go
under surgery rapidly before other joint infections occur. The
choice of the appropriate antibiotics is based on the microog-
anism suspected, route of administration, cost of the treatment
and withdrawal in meat and milk. Trueperella pyogenes being
55
KEYNOTE LECTURES — Biotechnology
the most common microorganism isolated in cattle, penicillin
procainic is often the first choice antibiotic. In the presence
of a severely contaminated wound, antibiotics against gram
negative should be considered. In calves with septic joints, the
antibiotic chosen should have an effect on Mycoplasma spp if
no organism is isolated and the umbilicus is unlikely to be the
cause specially if there is a history of Mycoplama spp on the
farm or clinical signs associated to it (otitis, pneumonia, arthri-
tis, mastitis). The duration of the treatment should be 2 to 3
weeks after the beginning of clinical improvement. Other route
has been described: intra-articular injection, intra-venous un-
der tourniquet and antibiotics incorporated in a slow release
medium. Removal of infected tissue, debris and inflammatory
mediators in the joint is essential for normal return to previ-
ous function. The goals of joint lavage are to remove debris
and dilute the abnormal constituent in the joint. Joint lavage
is performed in different way: tidal, through and through and
arthroscopy. The size of the needle used are 16 G to 14G in
calves and 14G to 5mm canula in adult. Arthrotomy is per-
formed if the medical treatment failed or the joint is filled up
with fibrin or pus and through and through lavage is impossi-
ble. Sites of arthrotomy are the same as the arthrocentesis.
The incision should be long enough to allow adequate drain-
age and introduction of a forceps to remove fibrin. More than
one incision per joint is necessary to access the entire cavity
and improve the debridement. The incisions are covered with
a bandage or stents and additional lavage are performed if
necessary. Arthrodesis is the final solution when no treatments
were efficient or because of the chronicity of the disease, joint
function will never be restored. Articulations of the distal limb
are easily arthrodesed (fetlock, proximal and distal interpha-
langeal joints). Severe carpal infection has also been treated
with arthrodesis.
Prognosis: In cattle, prognosis is generally good for a re-
turn to previous function and productivity. It will depends of the
time of presentation, radiographic evaluation (bone lysis and
proliferation), and degree of extracapsular ankylosis. If more
than 2 joints are infected, the prognosis is poor. Animal with
chronic septic arthritis with bony lesions do not have a good
prognosis for complete recovery and becoming a productive
animal.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
56
Biotechnology
K80
Simplified superstimulation programs for in vivo and in
vitro embryo production in cattle
Gabriel Bo.
IRAC, Argentina.
Knowledge of follicular wave dynamics obtained using re-
al-time ultrasonography and the development of the means by
which follicular wave dynamics can be controlled have provid-
ed practical approaches for the in vivo and in vitro production
and transfer of embryos in cattle. Two very important factors
influencing variability in superstimulatory response are the in-
trinsic number of antral follicles in donors, and the stage of
follicular development at the time of initiating FSH treatments.
Response can be predicted by antral follicle counts done with
ultrasonography, or the measurement of circulating concen-
trations of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH). High antral follicle
counts have been associated with more ovulations and a
greater number of transferable embryos following superstim-
ulation with FSH than low antral follicle counts. Furthermore,
the elective control of follicular wave emergence and ovulation
has had great impact on the application of on-farm embryo
transfer, especially when large groups of donors need to be
superstimulated at the same time. Although, estradiol and
progestins have been used for many years, practitioners in
countries where estradiol cannot be used have turned to al-
ternative treatments, such as follicle ablation or the induction
of ovulation by the administration of GnRH for the synchroni-
zation of follicle wave emergence. Initially, attempts to syn-
chronize follicular wave emergence for superstimulation with
GnRH were unsuccessful because of failure to induce ovula-
tion consistently when administered at random stages of the
estrous cycle, but subsequent field data were more promising.
In these cases, GnRH was administered 1.5 to 3.0 days after
the insertion of an intravaginal progestin device which may
have increased the probability of an LH-responsive follicle at
the time of treatment with GnRH. Indeed, we have reported on
the strategic use of PGF2α, a progestin device and GnRH to
induce ovulation prior to initiating FSH treatments. Basically,
a persistent follicle was induced by treatment with PGF2α at
the time of progestin device insertion; following administration
of GnRH 7 days later, ovulation occurred in more than 95% of
animals. Superstimulation initiated 36 hours after GnRH (with
the P4-device remaining in place) resulted in a superovulato-
ry response that did not differ from controls superstimulated
between Days 8 and 12 of the estrous cycle. More recently, a
study performed with Angus donors reported no difference in
superovulatory response whether GnRH was administered 2
or 7 days after insertion of a P4-device with FSH treatments
initiated 2 days later.
In vitro embryo production (IVP) also benefits from the syn-
chronization of follicle wave emergence prior to oocyte recov-
ery. As Bos indicus cattle have high antral follicle populations,
large numbers of oocytes can be obtained by ovum pick-up
(OPU) without superstimulation. However, synchronization of
follicular wave emergence and superstimulation is necessary

to obtain high numbers of oocytes by OPU and blastocysts
following in vitro fertilization (IVF) in Bos taurus donors. In Bos
taurus breeds of cattle, especially those with low AFC, oocyte
recovery and blastocyst production have been improved by
superstimulatory treatments with FSH. There is also clear
evidence that superstimulation increases oocyte and embryo
developmental competence and thus, blastocyst production
rates. Although FSH treatment protocols have involved twice
daily treatments followed by a period of coasting to optimize
follicle and oocyte development competence traditionally,
more recent protocols with a single administration of Folltro-
pin-V in 0.5% hyaluronan 48 or 72 hours before OPU have
been very efficacious, making protocols user-friendly, while
minimizing errors in compliance. FSH-treated beef and dairy
cows and heifers had a greater percentage of medium-sized
follicles (6 to 10 mm), a greater blastocyst production rate and
more transferable embryos per OPU session. Finally, it has
been shown that it is possible to obtain embryos in vivo and
in vitro sequentially in the same donor. Although no significant
differences in superovulatory response were found, initiation
of FSH treatment 3 days after OPU resulted in a greater num-
ber of grade 1 embryos than when the protocol was initiated
2 days after OPU. All these protocols demonstrate that it is
possible to obtain embryos in vivo and in vitro in commercial
beef or dairy herds using efficacious protocols that are easily
implemented by farm personnel.
K81
Factors affecting oocyte quality for embryo production in
cattle
Pietro Baruselli Sampaio1, Bruna Lima Chechin Catussi1, Laís Ângelo
De Abreu.
USP, Sao Paolo, Brasil.
The use of ovum pick up (OPU) associated with in vitro
embryo production (IVEP) has a great potential to disseminate
selected genetics, diminishing the interval of generations (use
of young donors) and improving herds genetic gain. Howev-
er, several factors appear to be critical to oocyte quality such
as environmental factors, genetic background, age and lacta-
tion status of donor animals. The aim of this review is to high-
light some critical areas that can help veterinary practitioners
to enhance OPU efficiency and successfully implement IVP
into their routine practice. The animal category is an import-
ant factor that affects oocyte quality. Our group used 120 Hol-
stein donors of four animal categories, as follows: prepubertal
heifers (n= 30), pubertal heifers (n= 30), lactating cows (n=
30) and nonlactating cows (n= 30). Donors were submitted to
OPU without previous synchronization of the follicular wave.
No difference was observed between experimental groups, re-
garding total number of aspirated follicles (P = 0.08). Despite
a similar number of total recovered oocytes (P = 0.12), prepu-
bertal heifers had an intermediate quantity of viable oocytes,
and non-lactating cows produced more viable oocytes (P=
0.03), when compared to lactating cows. Still, prepubertal do-
nors had lower cleavage rate (P< 0.0001) and lower blastocyst
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
KEYNOTE LECTURES — Biotechnology
rate (P< 0.0001) compared to other categories. We studied
the effect of donor pregnancy at the moment of OPU on oocyte
quality and IVP in 3 Holstein categories: prepubertal heifers
(8 to 10 month; n = 60), pubertal heifers (10 to 12 month; n
= 60) and pregnant heifers (14 to 18 month; n=59). Pubertal
heifers had a greater number of recovered oocytes as well
as COCs cultured compared to other categories. In contrast,
cleavage rate was similar between pubertal and pregnant heif-
ers. Interestingly, pregnant heifers had a greater number of
embryos produced per OPU and greater blastocyst rate when
compared to other heifer categories. It has been reported that
IVEP is more efficient in Bos indicus breeds than in Bos taurus
breeds. The greater antral follicle population (AFP) found in
Bos indicus cattle would appear to result in a greater number
of suitable oocytes for in vitro culture. In this context, Bos in-
dicus (Nelore and Gir) are reported to have greater number
of visualized follicles and to produce greater number of total
oocytes per OPU session, cultured COC and blastocyst rates
than Bos taurus (Holstein). In dairy cows, the lactation period
and interactions with insulin resistance may influence oocyte
quality. Our group studied Holstein cows that were either at
early or late days in milk (DIM) at the moment of OPU-IVP.
Results showed that insulin resistance associated with late
lactation period can disrupt oocyte quality, promoting lower
efficiency of IVP. The number of blastocysts, as well as blas-
tocyst rates, were greatly reduced in cows at later lactation.
In addition, a number of apoptotic genes were upregulated
in cows with greater days in milk. One factor related to the
poor IVEP yields in Bos taurus cattle can be partly attributed to
the heat stress. A previous seasonal experiment demonstrat-
ed that once the pool of ovarian oocytes is damaged by heat
stress, two or three estrous cycles are required (after the end
of heat stress) to restore the follicular pool and oocyte quality
(Roth et al., 2001). However, our study (Torres-Júnior et al.,
2008) showed a carry-over effect of heat stress on blastocyst
production up to 105 days after the end of the heat stress. Fac-
tors that affect oocyte quality for embryo production have to be
taken into account to increase the efficiency of ET in cattle.
K82
Factors affecting pregnancy rates in beef embryo recipients
Gabriel Bo.
IRAC, Argentina.
The main objective of implementing embryo transfer in
beef operations is to accelerate the rate of genetic progress
in the herd. Among the main factors that affect the use of
these technologies are related to nutrition, management and
estrus synchronization. Although prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α)
has been used most commonly for synchronization of estrus,
the requirement for estrus detection and the variability in the
interval from treatment to estrus and ovulation has adverse-
ly affected its performance in embryo transfer programs. To
avoid limitations associated with estrus detection, treatments
that synchronize the time of ovulation, which were developed
originally for fixed-time AI, have been utilized f/or FTET. These
57
KEYNOTE LECTURES — Biotechnology
treatments are generally divided into those that are GnRH-
based and those that are estradiol-based. In either case, the
recipient protocols include the insertion of a progesterone (P4)
releasing device for 5 to 8 days, depending on the protocol.
Recent studies with GnRH-based protocols have suggest-
ed that reducing the length of exposure of the P4-releasing
device insertion to 5 days and increasing the interval from
P4-device removal to GnRH and fixed-timed AI to 3 days may
improve pregnancy per AI (P/AI) as compared to the traditional
7-day GnRH/P4 device protocol in beef cattle. Furthermore,
it was suggested that a reduction in the length of the growth
phase of the ovulatory follicle prior to ovulation, as occurs in
some animals treated with the conventional 7-day protocols,
alters the steroidogenic capacity of the dominant follicle prior
to ovulation and the resulting CL, and decreases the ability of
the uterus to support embryo development. Similar pregnan-
cy rates per embryo transfer (P/ET) were obtained with in vi-
tro-produced embryos to those of recipients synchronized with
two PGF2α treatments 14 days apart and estrus detection and
those synchronized using a modified 5-day Co-Synch+CIDR
protocol (no GnRH at P4 device insertion, PGF2α at P4 re-
moval on Day 5 and GnRH on Day 8). Based on these find-
ings, we evaluated the effectiveness of an estradiol/P4 treat-
ment protocol in which the exposure to P4 device was reduced
to 6 days and proestrus was lengthened by the administration
of GnRH 72 h after P4 device removal instead of ECP at de-
vice removal. The protocol for FTAI was named J-Synch. This
treatment protocol has resulted in higher P/AI rates in beef
heifers compared to the conventional protocol in which the
P4-device is removed on Day 7 and ECP is given at that time.
Furthermore, in a series of experiments that were conducted
recently to evaluate the performance of the J-Synch protocol
in embryo transfer programs the P/ET rate was greater in the
J-Synch (49.4%) than in the conventional synchronization pro-
tocol (41.0%; P<0.05).
Although the previously described protocols have per-
formed adequately for several years, recent attention has
been directed to the effect of estrus expression and estradi-
ol concentrations during growth of the preovulatory follicle on
embryo growth and pregnancy. In recipients showing estrus,
we have shown a significantly (P<0.05) greater P/ET (48.3%
vs 30.1%) and lower pregnancy losses (25,6% vs 66.7%) than
in recipients not showing estrus. Therefore, use of tail-paint
or estrus detection patches in recipients would help identify
animals showing estrus by simply running them through the
chute at the appropriate time, without the necessity of labor
intensive estrus observations. These modifications can be
easily implemented in recipient synchronization programs and
should result in overall higher pregnancy rates.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
58
K83
Improving fertility in dairy herds using in vivo and in vitro
produced embryos
Pietro Baruselli Sampaio, Guilherme Felipe Ferreira Dos Santos, Ana
Carolina Dos Santos.
USP, Sao Paolo, Brasil.
Embryo transfer is a reproductive technology commonly
used around the world to reproduce animals with high genetic
merit. However, the application of embryo transfer (ET) tech-
nology can also improve the reproductive performance of dairy
herds artificially inseminated. Environmental conditions are
important factors affecting oocyte developmental competence
and embryo production in both in vivo and in vitro production
systems. Heat stress (HS) has a deleterious effect on fertility
in dairy herds around the world, especially in tropical areas in
which summers are hot and humid. Studies have shown that
embryo transfer is an effective tool to increase fertility during
heat stress because it bypasses the damage to the oocyte
and early stages of embryonic development caused by hyper-
thermia. Therefore, a useful management tool to maintain high
pregnancy rates throughout the year would be to produce em-
bryos during the cooler months and use them for ET during the
periods of heat stress. A retrospective analysis of data from
a large commercial herd in Brazil was performed in Holstein
cows submitted to ET or AI. Pregnancy per ET (P/ET) was
higher along the year than P/AI, but the differences were more
pronounced in the warmer months than in the cooler months
of the year. Furthermore, the transfer of embryos to repeat
breeder cows resulted in increased pregnancy rates compared
to AI, supporting that the fertility problem repeat-breeder cows
may be associated with oocyte quality and/or failure of early
embryo development. The seasonal profile of in vitro embryo
production (IVEP) has been reported in non-tropical and in
tropical areas. In USA (Wisconsin), the in vitro blastocyst pro-
duction was reduced during mid-to late-summer, preceded by
increased production starting during mid-to late-spring. Winter
and fall months were characterized by stable, high yields of
blastocysts, showing an evident effect of heat stress on IVEP
in an area where summer is milder. In vivo embryo production
(SOV and uterine flushing) in Holstein heifers and lactating
cows was also shown to be affected by HS in the tropics (Bra-
zil). Data from 1,562 SOV procedures indicated that the fertil-
ization rate, proportion of transferable and freezable embryos
and the number of embryos produced per SOV attempt (4.4
± 0.4 vs 2.8 ± 0.3) was reduced during the warmer season
compared with the cooler season. In a tropical environment,
the number of ova/embryos produced after superovulation
(SOV), fertilization rate and percentages of transferable em-
bryos and freezable embryos were reduced during the warmer
season when compared with the cooler season. Similarly, we
observed in the tropics that during the hottest season of the
year, oocytes obtained from lactating Holstein cows and heif-
ers had a lower in vitro developmental competence compared
to the coolest season. Although HS had an overall detrimental
impact on in vivo embryo production and quality, its negative
effects were more pronounced in lactating cows than in heifer
donors. For example, during the hot season the decline in the

number of fertilized ova and in the rates of fertilization, trans-
ferable embryos and freezable embryos were greater in donor
lactating cows compared with donor heifers. In addition, lactat-
ing cows generate more body heat and suffer greater hyper-
thermia when exposed to similar environmental temperatures
compared with growing heifers and non-lactating cows, which
may be related to the high metabolic energy associated with
milk production. Regarding the embryo production technique,
studies suggest that IVEP technology can be a viable solution
to increase embryo production within a short period of time.
The use of OPU-IVEP may be a valuable alternative to pro-
duce a large number of embryos and pregnancies within a re-
duced time period. The IVEP can also be associated with the
use of sexed semen to increase the production of calves of a
specific sex, which would benefit dairy industries worldwide. In
summary, although the embryo transfer technology has been
used primarily to reproduce animals with high genetic merit,
this technology can be used to resolve reproductive problems
such as the reduced fertility found during heat stress.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
KEYNOTE LECTURES — Pharmacology & Therapeutics
Pharmacology & Therapeutics
K84
Antimicrobial susceptibility testing and its clinical
applications in bovine practice
Keith Dedonder.
Latham BioPharm Group.
Objective: Antibiotic resistance is currently at the forefront
of human and animal health and has been for many years. An-
timicrobial susceptibility testing is commonly used in modern
veterinary practice and so much so that many veterinarians
submitting for this type of testing likely do so without thoughtful
consideration in regard to the testing procedures or the inter-
pretation of the testing results. However, in order to continue
to be judicious with the use of antibiotics, it is essential that the
clinician be familiar with the testing procedures and its inter-
pretation in order to increase the chance of treatment success.
The objective is threefold; 1) to re-familiarize the bovine practi-
tioner with the most common methods of susceptibility testing
performed in laboratories, 2) to educate on what goes into the
determination of susceptible “S”, intermediate “I”, and resistant
“R”, and 3) to exercise application of susceptibility testing to
case management / treatment selection in the clinical setting.
Materials and Methods: The preferred methods of anti-
microbial susceptibility testing and interpretive criteria are de-
scribed in published standards documents to ensure that all
laboratories are performing the testing procedures and inter-
pretation in the same “standardized” fashion. The European
Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST)
is the functioning body for such standardization in Europe and
the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) func-
tions as such in North America. For the purposes of this pre-
sentation the CLSI methods and definitions will be used; how-
ever, the themes presented will be applicable to all clinicians
regardless of geography.
Results: Unfortunately, there is not a perfect correlation
between antimicrobial susceptibility testing and clinical case
outcome. Testing that yields bacteria that are “susceptible” to
the prescribed antibiotic may have a poor outcome and those
with “resistant” infections may have a positive outcome. In
both cases, the ultimate outcome of the treatment may have
been influenced by factors beyond just those of the “bug-drug”
relationship, such as immune status, environmental condi-
tions, individual pharmacokinetic differences, etc.
Conclusions: A clinician that thoroughly understands the
basic methods of antimicrobial susceptibility testing, its inter-
pretation, and its limitations will make sound clinical decisions
and more judiciously select and utilize antimicrobials in their
practice.
59
KEYNOTE LECTURES — Pharmacology & Therapeutics

K85 overall population of these studies, 1 case was a treatment

success). The median NNT for preventing 1 mortality due to
Defining antimicrobial efficacy through randomized BRD in the trials reviewed was 6 (i.e., for every 6 animals ther-
clinical trials with negative controls apeutically treated 1 BRD death was prevented). In BRD con-
Keith Dedonder. trol studies, the median number of animals that needed to be
treated to prevent 1 acute case of BRD was 5.
Latham BioPharm Group, USA.
Conclusions: The objective was to determine the effec-
tiveness, using the NNT statistic, of different antibiotics in the
Introduction: Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is a therapy and control of BRD in randomized clinical trials utilizing
multi-factorial disease described as a complex or syndrome a negative control. The data from this analysis should not be
involving an interaction of stressors, viruses, and bacteria. To used to directly compare the NNT of one antibiotic to another
this day, BRD remains a major disease in all types of beef and due to differences in trial design, sample size discrepancies,
dairy production systems. Administration of an antibiotic is not risk classification differences of BRD between trials, resultant
only the mainstay therapeutic treatment option for acute BRD, spontaneous recovery rates, and potential differences in case
but also as means to control the disease in high-risk popula- definition and success/failure outcome between trials. The
tions. The judicious use of antibiotics in both human and ani- presentation of the data here does make for a succinct way of
mal health remains vital to ensure continued antibiotic efficacy. defining reasonable expectations of efficacy in the treatment
Objective: The objective is to present a comprehensive and control of BRD in a field setting for cattle at high risk of
review of all published randomized clinical trials investigating BRD. However, the clinician interpreting these findings needs
the effects of a drug against a negative control in treatment to bear in mind the external validity of these studies when ap-
of BRD. The number needed to treat (NNT) statistic will be plying it to the type of cattle, environmental setting, and typical
used to convey the results of this investigation. The NNT is BRD pathogens encountered in their practice.
an epidemiological measure used in communicating the effec-
tiveness of an intervention. The NNT statistic is defined as the
inverse of the absolute risk reduction and has a major advan-
tage of being more straightforward to readers less versed in
thinking of events such as clinical outcome in terms of proba-
bilities (e.g., risk ratio, odds ratio). As such, NNT is much eas-
ier to interpret by the practicing clinician as it speaks in terms
of number of treatments needed to apply across a population
to make a difference in one patient.
Materials and methods: A systematic review of the sci-
entific literature was performed using online resources, with
included studies being limited to those published in English
and originating from North America. Other criteria for inclusion
were that the publications were required to be investigations
into the treatment or control of naturally occurring BRD with an
antibiotic (only) in a randomized, blinded, negative control field
trial study design. Studies on the treatment of naturally oc-
curring BRD must have involved animals that were not mass
medicated with an antibiotic prior to or as part of the study. All
studies involving positive controls or experimental challenge
models were excluded.
Additionally, the Freedom of Information (FOI) New Ani-
mal Drug Approvals (NADA) summaries were searched on the
United States Food and Drug Administration Center for Veter-
inary Medicine (US FDA CVM) website at the same time. In-
clusions from the FOI summaries included efficacy trials (ET),
dose response studies (DRS), dose selection studies (DSS),
single location field studies (FS), and multi-location field stud-
ies (MLFS). To qualify for inclusion, dose selection studies
must have used the current labeled dosages in the study.
As a final step, published literature resulting from online
searches were screened to ensure that they were not duplica-
tive of FOI data; any duplicative data was removed from the
data set prior to analysis.
Results: The overwhelming majority of trials showed a
positive effect on case outcome in the therapy and control of
BRD. The median NNT in therapeutic trials involving negative
controls was 2 (i.e., for every 2 animals treated for BRD in the

31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID

60

Epidemiology
K87
Epidemiology of bovine mastitis on the modern dairy
farm - Introduction
Ynte Hein Schukken1, Ruth Zadoks2.
1
Wageningen University - Royal GD, The Netherlands; 2The University
of Sydney, Australia.
Objectives: Bovine mastitis remains one of the most im-
portant diseases on the modern dairy farm. Not only is mas-
titis associated with pain and decreased welfare of cows, but
also with decreased quality of milk, with increased use of an-
tibiotics, unwanted early removal of cows and ultimately with
a negative impact on the economics of the farm. In the last
decade much has been learned about the epidemiology of
bovine mastitis, therefore the objective of this overview is to
summarize these findings and to develop directions for further
improvement of udder health on modern dairy farms.
Subclinical mastitis: The distinction between clinical
and subclinical mastitis is one hand important and on the
other hand also a gradual difference. Cows with very high
somatic cell counts clearly have abnormal milk that in some
cases looks like normal milk at the time of milking but starts
flaking when standing in a collection vessel for only a few
minutes. Still, the distinction is of value as subclinical mastitis
primarily leads to increased somatic cell counts, delivery of
milk into the bulk tank and therefore decreased milk quality.
Whereas clinical mastitis leads to observed disease in cows
and often to immediate treatment and milk withhold in the
affected animals.
In recent years the improved diagnostic tools, particularly
in the field of molecular diagnostics, has resulted in a much
more precise diagnosis of bacterial organisms that are associ-
ated with intramammary infections. A much better insight into
infections with staphylococci, streptococci and also gram-neg-
ative micro-organisms has improved our understanding of
these infectious processes.
Improved molecular diagnostics has also resulted on Im-
portant research with regard to the microbiome of the mamma-
ry gland. Current research would indicate that the mammary
microbiome of health quarters is substantially different from
quarters that are affected by either clinical or subclinical mas-
titis. Further research will be necessary to show whether the
mammary microbiome plays a role in prevention of intramam-
mary infections with major mastitis pathogens.
Clinical mastitis: Clinical mastitis has become increas-
ingly important as subclinical mastitis may be controlled using
the NMC 10-point plan. Increased on-farm hygiene, improved
milking management and adequate treatment has on one
hand reduced subclinical mastitis but at the same time put the
spotlight on clinical mastitis.
In recent years much research has been done on the
Immunology of the bovine mammary gland, including inter-
ventions on the immune system using diets, vaccinations or
immune stimulations. These interventions have shown to be
valuable in reducing the incidence of clinical mastitis, reducing
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
KEYNOTE LECTURES — Epidemiology
the length of clinical signs and the risk of culling of affected
animals.
Societal pressure has resulted in a reduction of the use of
antibiotics for the treatment and prevention of intramammary
infections. This reduction of antibiotic use has ultimately lead
to further improvements in managing risk factors for intramam-
mary infections on farms but also on the increased importance
of immune modulation.
Environmental versus contagious: In recent years, our
understanding of the main infection routes that lead to intra-
mammary infections has substantially changed. The main rea-
sons for this were the increased use of molecular diagnostics
that led to precise typing of bacterial strains and as a result
a paradigm shift on the classification of mastitis causing mi-
cro-organisms. The classic approach was to divide mastitis
causing microorganisms into environmental and contagious
organisms. With streptococci and staphylococci being conta-
gious and gram-negative being environmental. However, in-
creased application of molecular typing schemes have shown
that such a distinction does not hold up and that all bacteria
that are able to cause persistent intramammary infections may
lead to contagious behaviour on dairy farms. This had resulted
in a portfolio of risk-factors, where transmission has become
an important but not a singular part in the dynamics of intra-
mammary infections.
Conclusions: Important changes in the biology, diagnos-
tics, management and treatment of bovine mastitis in the re-
cent decade has resulted in a vastly different understanding of
intramammary infections and the treatment and prevention of
these infections.
K88
Molecular epidemiology of mastitis: evidence versus
paradigm
Ruth Zadoks1, Zadoks Ruth1, Schukken Ynte2.
1
Sydney University, Australia; 2Royal GD, Wageningen University and
Utrecht University, The Netherlands.
The epidemiology of mastitis is generally described as
contagious or environmental. Contagious pathogens have
their reservoir in the mammary gland and are transmitted
from animal to animal during milking. Environmental patho-
gens, by contrast, have their reservoir in the environment,
and infections can occur at any time, even in non-lactating
cattle. There are exceptions to this dichotomous classifica-
tion. For example, insects may act as vectors, as shown
for transmission of Staphylococcus aureus among heifers
by flies, so contagious transmission can occur without in-
volvement of the milking machine. Conversely, the infect-
ed mammary gland may serve as reservoir of infection, but
with transmission via the environment, as shown for Klebsi-
ella spp. in free-stall herds. Occasionally, we see iatrogenic
point source transmission, as demonstrated for Pseudomo-
nas-contaminated water or wipes, and for Serratia-contam-
inated teat dip.
61
KEYNOTE LECTURES — Epidemiology
The main weakness of the contagious versus environmen-
tal paradigm, however, is how we as veterinarians interpret
and implement it. Many veterinary curricula, textbooks, exten-
sion reports, and peer-reviewed publications classify bacterial
species as contagious or environmental, regardless of the ev-
idence. As a profession, we should have a more nuanced un-
derstanding of the sources and transmission routes of mastitis
pathogens, because molecular epidemiology studies provide
ample evidence that many bacteria can be spread in multiple
ways. When we open our minds to this possibility, the distinc-
tion between modes of transmission can often be made even
without using molecular typing. The tools that we normally use
for mastitis investigations, such as inspection of the parlour,
housing and animals for hygiene and management risks, and
evaluation of data regarding parity, lactation stage and affect-
ed quarters, can largely be relied on to formulate a diagnosis
and interventions. The success of those interventions will then
inform on the accuracy of our diagnosis and the need for fur-
ther investigation.
In genomic epidemiology, entire genome sequences are
generated and compared as done, e.g., for SARS-CoV-2. This
level of complexity is not needed for mastitis investigations,
which can often be conducted using relatively simple molec-
ular biology tools including polymerase chain reaction (PCR),
or the more time-consuming former gold standard method of
pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). PCR amplifies bac-
terial DNA, PFGE cuts it. Either way, a bar code-like banding
pattern is generated, revealing whether bacterial isolates from
different sources have the same or different DNA fingerprint,
e.g., across quarters, cows, and herds, or between animals
and the milking machine, bedding, faeces, drinking water, teat
dips and wipes, etc. Most practitioners and clinics would not
have access to this technology within their laboratory but the
scientific work to generate the evidence has already been
done. It is largely the willingness to implement available knowl-
edge that is the main hurdle.
Although a social science study into communication and
uptake of evidence would be very valuable, the main focus
of this presentation will be on the molecular evidence itself.
It shows that major mastitis pathogens such as Staphylococ-
cus aureus, Streptococcus dysgalactiae, and Streptococcus
uberis can all “behave” as contagious pathogens as well as
environmental pathogens. The manifestation on a specific
farm or even country will depend on the combination of patho-
gen strain and herd management. For example, S. uberis is
almost exclusively environmental in New Zealand (different
DNA fingerprints in different cows), whereas most clinical S.
uberis mastitis in England is the result of contagious trans-
mission (same DNA fingerprint in multiple cows). If we sug-
gest to farms that milking time hygiene or teat dipping are not
a priority when they have S. uberis mastitis in their herd, we
may aggravate the problem. Even Streptococcus agalactiae,
long described as an “obligate intramammary pathogen”, may
have environmental sources, including people and bovine fae-
ces. Several publications describe S. agalactiae problems that
could only be controlled by approaching them as an environ-
mental mastitis problem.
By presenting some of the examples described in this ab-
stract, it is hoped that a growing number of cattle veterinarians
will be willing to confront the contagious versus environmen-
tal paradigm with molecular epidemiology evidence and open
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
62
their mind to the fact that many bacterial species are more
sophisticated than our dichotomous thinking.
K89
Epidemiology of infectious disease on dairy farms -
Introduction
Ynte Hein Schukken1, Ruth Zadoks2.
1
Wageningen University - Royal GD, The Netherlands; 2The University
of Sydney, Australia.
Objectives: Infectious on dairy farms have gained in im-
portance in recent years. Infectious diseases have resulted in
subclinical and clinical disease in dairy cows, increased risk
of zoonotic events whereby infections from cattle transmit to
humans and also to increased societal concerns on welfare
of calves and cows. In this presentation the recent experienc-
es from the Netherlands will be shared. Lessons learned and
important necessary developments in bovine health will be
discussed.
Control of infectious diseases: In recent years control
programs for infectious diseases have been developed for the
Dutch dairy industry. This includes programs to reduce or elim-
inate infections with Leptospirosa hardjo, Mycobacterium avi-
um subspp. paratuberculosis, Tuberculosis, Brucella abortus,
Enzootic Bovine Leukosis virus (EBLv), Salmonella species,
Bovine Virus Diarrhea Virus (BVDv), Infectious Bovine Rhino-
tracheitis virus (IBRv) and to some extend Blue Tongue Virus
(BTv). On top of this, programs to diagnose and control list A
diseases are present but have not been necessary in the last
decade.
With the increased interest and concern about zoonotic
pathogens, the control of Leptospirosa hardjo, Mycobacte-
rium avium subspp. Paratuberculosis (MAP), Tuberculosis,
Brucella abortus, and Salmonella species are important steps
to decrease such concerns. The control of Enzootic Bovine
Leukosis virus, Bovine Virus Diarrhea Virus and Infectious
Bovine Rhinotracheitis are not indicated because of zoonotic
concerns but because of animal health improvement in gener-
al or for trading reasons.
The development of these control programs is particularly
dependent on the ability to control transmission between ani-
mals within a farm and transmission between farms.
Within farm transmission: Understanding within farm
transmission has been particularly important for infectious dis-
eases such as MAP, salmonellosis, BVD and IBR. Elimination
of MAP from farms has been difficult, but long term control
programs have certainly resulted in important progress as in-
dicated by a reduced incidence, less severe shedding and dis-
ease and a delay in the time to shedding. Carefully designed
diagnostic programs for BVD and IBR have turned out to be
essential to eliminate within farm transmission and certification
of farms as infection free. Salmonella control programs are
based on long term control of the key risk factors and on bulk
milk monitoring, subsequent individual animal diagnostics and
culling of persistently infected animals. Once a farm has been

certified as infection free, prevention of between farm trans-
mission becomes the focus of the national control program.
Between farm transmission: A number of the indicated
infectious diseases are controlled based on National legisla-
tion and with the aid of National enforcement of diagnostic
programs and subsequent control procedures. This includes
to control programs for Tuberculosis, Brucella abortus, Enzo-
otic Bovine Leukosis virus (EBLv) and to some extend Blue
Tongue Virus (BTv). As a consequence all cattle farms in the
country are included in monitoring and control and the risk
of between farm transmission is minimal. In contrast, control
programs for Leptospirosa hardjo, Mycobacterium avium sub-
spp. paratuberculosis, Salmonella species, Bovine Virus Diar-
rhea Virus (BVDv) and Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis virus
(IBRv) are implemented by the animal industries and without
legislation or enforcement support by the government. Hence,
the success of these programs fully depend on the ability of
the industry partners to work together and decided on con-
trol programs that are implemented across different players
in the industry. It has been remarkable that this appears to be
successful. Important components of the control programs are
cattle registration, documentation of animal movements and
dedicated participation of farmers in the developed control
programs.
However, the control of these infectious diseases in the
dairy industry alone will not lead to elimination of the infectious
agents from the country as beef cattle farms, calf raising farms
and veal calf operations are also potential sources of these in-
fectious organisms. Further cooperation between these indus-
tries will be essential for a further reduction in between farm
transmission.
Conclusions: Control of infectious diseases on dairy
farms has gained in importance in recent years. Concerns with
regard to zoonotic diseases, animal welfare and reduced use
of antimicrobials all result in an increased need for continuous
improvement of animal health and reduction or elimination of
infectious diseases on dairy farms.
K90
Beyond mastitis: molecular epidemiology insights into
transmission and control of bacterial, parasitic and viral
diseases of cattle
Ruth Zadoks1, Ynte H. Schukken2.
Sydney University, Australia; 2Royal GD, Wageningen University and
1
Utrecht University, The Netherlands
Introduction: As sequencing of DNA and RNA has be-
come increasingly accessible and affordable, molecular meth-
ods have added significantly to our understanding of the trans-
mission and control of bacterial, parasitic and viral disease
of cattle. They have provided insight into past movement of
pathogens and their current distribution, and inform rational
design of future eradication strategies, diagnostic tests, and
vaccines. They also help us understand how the pathophysiol-
ogy of disease and the transmission of organisms and, hence,
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
KEYNOTE LECTURES — Epidemiology
control strategies may differ, or need to differ, between pro-
duction systems, countries, or continents. Parasites are com-
paratively large infectious agents. They are eukaryotic, like
cattle and humans, and have large genomes spread across
multiple chromosomes, which means that sequencing of entire
genomes is still very challenging. Bacteria are prokaryotes,
with smaller and simpler genomes than parasites. Less than
15 years ago, sequencing of the first bovine Streptococcus
agalactiae genome cost more than the annual salary of the
postdoctoral researcher analysing it. Now, it can be done with-
in days or weeks for less than 100 Euro. Viruses are much
smaller yet, and sequencing of entire genomes is cheaper and
faster than for bacteria, although it can be tricky for segmented
genomes such as those of influenza D, which was first de-
scribed in cattle in 2011.
Parasites: In parasites, sequencing of housekeeping
genes is a useful tool for accurate species identification. This
approach led to the realization that most rumen fluke in the
Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom did not belong to
the species Paraphistomum cervi, as long assumed, but to the
species Calicopheron daubneyi. The two species have differ-
ent life cycles and intermediate host snails. Control of rumen
fluke, which has emerged as a common cattle parasite across
much of western Europe, requires knowledge of how to man-
age the environment to limit the snail population and cattle
exposure to infectious cysts on pasture. Where the culprit was
thought to be a freshwater snail, it is actually a mud snail, com-
pletely changing our options for environmental control. Other
desirable tools for diagnostics and management of parasitic
diseases would be molecular markers of anthelmintic resis-
tance. Although initial results for, e.g., the liver fluke Fasciola
hepatica, were promising, they could not be confirmed in other
studies, countries, or continents.
Bacteria: Differences in pathogen characteristics between
continents can be considerable, and evidence-based control
strategies may differ between countries. In our contribution on
molecular epidemiology of mastitis, the difference between
New Zealand and the UK is used as an example, whereby
Streptococcus uberis mastitis is almost exclusively environ-
mental in New Zealand but commonly contagious in the UK,
as it is in mainland Europe or the USA. Another striking geo-
graphical difference is observed for Coxiella, the causative
agent of Q-fever in humans and coxiellosis in ruminants. In
the USA, up to 95% of bulk tank milk may test positive for
Coxiella but reports of Q-fever are unusual. In Europe, Q-fever
is primarily associated with small ruminants. By contrast, cattle
are considered the main source of Q-fever in Australia. The
difference may be due, at least in part, to differences in Coxie-
lla strains, which may also impact on the efficacy of diagnostic
assays coated with antigens from different parts of the world.
Viruses: The most detailed molecular epidemiology in-
formation is available for viruses. Strain typing is essential to
inform selection of vaccines for a high-impact pathogen like
Food and Mouth Disease (FMD) because dominant serotypes
may differ between countries or change over time. It may also
inform on the role of animal movements and non-bovine host
species as reservoirs, both for epidemic viral diseases like
FMD and for endemic viral diseases like bovine viral diarrhoea
virus disease (BVDV). Viral sequence analysis has shown that
sheep, humans, or inanimate fomites may act as source of
BVDV. Insight into occurrence and prevention of such excep-
63
KEYNOTE LECTURES — Public Health, Food Security and Antimicrobial Resistance
tions will become increasingly important as BVDV programs
progress, which they are likely to do now that it has been add-
ed to the OIE list of notifiable diseases.
Although it is impossible to provide a comprehensive over-
view of the molecular epidemiology of bovine infectious dis-
eases, selected examples will be presented to illustrate their
contribution to our ability to understand and manage the health
of cattle populations.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
64
Public Health, Food Security and Antimicrobial
Resistance
K91
Vulnerability of rural wells and organic produce to multiple
drug resistant (MDR) bacteria from dairy cattle manure
Edward Robert Atwill, Kenneth Tate, Thomas Harter.
University of California – Davis, USA.
Objectives: Assess the public health risk of microbial con-
tamination of raw produce such as leafy green vegetables and
rural groundwater wells used for drinking water from AMR-
MDR enteric bacteria in dairy manure and slurry.
Material and methods: A. We collected feces or manure
from live animals, pen soil, and manure storage ponds on Cal-
ifornia commercial dairies in the San Joaquin Valley to quantify
the occurrence of AMR-MDR commensal and pathogenic bac-
teria. AMR-MDR determination included phenotypic methods
(disk diffusion, MIC) and/or whole genome assessments of the
resistome using the Comprehensive Antibiotic Resistance or
ResFinder database.
B. In parallel, we determined if rural municipal wells either
on the dairy or in proximity of a dairy exhibited MDR bacteria
and whether field irrigation of forages with effluent from ma-
nure storage ponds created a subsurface plume of bacteria.
Groundwater samples were obtained using domestic wells
or by drilling monitoring wells on the dairy and in nearby ru-
ral communities. Bacteria were concentrated using filtration
methods, followed by primary bacterial culture and biochemi-
cal characterization of isolates.
C. Lastly, a series of randomized controlled trials were
conducted in experimental Romaine lettuce production fields
whereby furrows were spiked with animal feces that contained
specific concentrations of marked E. coli. These inoculated
lettuce fields were then overhead irrigated and heads of let-
tuce hand harvested, rinsed, and the concentration of E. coli
determined for in order to calculate the percentage of bacteria
transferring from fecal deposits in the furrows onto the heads
of lettuce.
Results: A. AMR-MDR commensal bacteria were most
prevalent in young calves on California commercial dairies
compared to other age classes and production stages. Over
50% of hutch calves were colonized by MDR E. coli within 6
weeks of age, while cull dairy cattle exhibited prevalences of
30-40% of MDR Enterococcus. Use of genomic tools to char-
acterize the larger resistome compared to phenotypic AMR
methods found that hutch calves were more likely to harbor
MDR bacteria compared to other age classes of dairy cattle,
but numerous resistance genes were also found throughout all
age classes of dairy cattle.
B. AMR genes were widely dispersed in manure matrices
throughout the dairy environment and cattle loafing areas,
manure lagoon storage system, surface pen soil, and in dairy
manure solids used for soil amendments for forage crops and
in limited cases produce farming. For example, concentrations
of AMR E. coli ranged from 6×104 cfu/100 ml of manure slurry
 KEYNOTE LECTURES — Public Health, Food Security and Antimicrobial Resistance
to 8×107 cfu/100 g of soil in cattle pens. Alfalfa field irrigation
with dairy slurry water resulted in a multi-log rapid rise the
concentration of Enterococcus spp. 4 to 5 meters below the
surface in subsurface water. Monitoring wells on commercial
dairies had 24% and 97% of groundwater samples with detect-
able concentrations of E. coli and Enterococcus, respectively,
with concentration significantly associated with being located
downgradient of corrals and manure-treated fields, depth to
water table, and season. In contrast, water samples from the
domestic wells on these dairies had a prevalence of 4% and
83% for E. coli and Enterococcus, respectively, but at very low
mean concentrations (0.01, 1.8 cfu/100 ml, respectively). All
of the tested isolates of Enterococcus (n=30) exhibited resis-
tance to at least one antibiotic, and 87% exhibited resistance
to 3 or more antibiotics, but these levels of AMR-MDR did not
appear appreciably different than isolates from domestic wells
in greater proximity to the dairies.
C. Lastly, the produce field trials found that 20 to 95% of
heads of lettuce exhibited E. coli contamination from fecal ma-
terial in the furrow, with distance and age of feces significantly
associated with the level of E. coli contamination.
Conclusions: Given the ubiquitous AMR-MDR commen-
sal bacteria in dairy cattle manure and surface pen soil, and
the millions of liters of slurry in manure storage systems and
tonnage of surface soil on a typical 1000-cow dairy in Califor-
nia, lack of appropriate good manure management practices
can lead to inadvertent AMR-MDR bacterial contamination of
surface and ground water sources and impact produce safety
when stack-aged manure is used as a soil amendment prior to
subsequent irrigation. A variety of good agricultural practices
are available to mitigate these AMR risks from dairy manure,
which will be discussed in my next presentation.
K92
Good agricultural practices to minimize environmental
and waterborne contamination of antimicrobial resistant
(AMR) bacteria from cattle manure
Edward Robert Atwill, Kenneth Tate, Thomas Harter.
University of California – Davis, USA.
Objectives: Develop and evaluate the efficacy of good ag-
ricultural practices (GAPs) operating at the landowner scale
that reduce the risk of excessive environmental and water-
borne contamination from AMR bacterial originating from dairy
and beef cattle manure.
Material and methods: A series of experimental trials and
longitudinal observational studies were conducted at research
field stations or commercial livestock operations to determine
the efficacy of various GAPs to reduce fluxes of manure-as-
sociated bacteria in surface runoff (overland flow) associated
with precipitation or flood irrigation of dairy areas or grazed
rangeland. For example, the effect of width of grassland buf-
fer positioned between livestock grazing and source water
supplies was evaluated for its effect on microbial reduction in
rainfall-associated runoff. Other trials focused on GAPs such
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
as aging manure prior to land application, rotation grazing
for pasture rest periods, seeding of cattle loafing areas, and
constructed wetlands in combinations with site characteristics
such as soil bulk density and slope to reduce manure-associ-
ated bacteria in runoff.
Results: Many of the GAPs we evaluated take advantage
of either distance between livestock and source water sup-
plies, and/or time by aging manure prior to either land applica-
tion, prior to the occurrence of natural rainfall, or prior to flood
irrigation of grazing land.
With respect to grassland buffers located between grazing
or loafing cattle and down-slope source water supplies, widths
of buffer of just 1 to 2 meters were associated with 90 to 99.9%
percent reduction in the total load of E. coli being transported
in overland flow for well-maintained buffers. Compacted soils,
high rates of precipitation, and higher land slopes can reduce
this efficacy of grassland buffers. Buffers containing a drain-
age or erosion furrow dramatically reduce its efficacy of bac-
terial reduction.
With respect to flood irrigation applied to natural rangeland
during summer in order to boost forage production in arid Cal-
ifornia, reducing the velocity and total amount of applied water
in order to reduce tailwater volumes has an immediate benefit
in reducing off-site fluxes of bacteria but may also reduce total
forage production at the tail-end of the field. Routing irrigation
tailwater through small constructed wetland can further reduce
E. coli concentrations, especially for longer residence times in
the wetland from lower tailwater velocities.
With respect to dairy cattle pens and loafing areas, elim-
inating cattle from the exposed site prior to the onset of the
rainy season was associated with a 99% reduction in fecal
coliforms discharging from the pen. Seeding the loafing pens
with grass prior to the onset of rainfall further reduced bacte-
rial runoff, especially for high percent grass cover. Aging ma-
nure solids prior to land application, and spreading manure
weeks-to-months prior to the onset of the rainy season can
help reduce the total flux of bacteria discharging of these ma-
nure-amended hillslope sites. Increasing the residence time
of manure effluent in the storage lagoon can also reduce the
concentration of E. coli in the final effluent prior to land appli-
cation, which of course requires better management of runoff
across the dairy enterprise and possibly the expensive option
of increasing storage capacity of the existing manure ponds or
adding additional finishing ponds to the manure management
system. Lastly, there is a considerable amount of free techni-
cal guidance on the proper construction and management of
dairy manure storage ponds, covering aspects such as ade-
quate construction materials to reduce groundwater seepage
and adequate freeboard to handle unexpected intense rainfall
(perhaps more common with climate change).
Conclusions: Implementation of GAPs by livestock pro-
ducers in proximity to critical water supplies will help reduce
the risk of human exposure to livestock-derived AMR bacte-
ria, thereby helping promote sustainable livestock production
for years to come. The benefit-cost of alternative GAPs will
no doubt be different for each livestock operation given their
unique characteristics, but the key principle is to design and
maintain a site-specific collection of GAPs that are designed to
mitigate the anticipated flux of enteric bacteria and their AMR-
MDR elements from livestock manure.
65
KEYNOTE LECTURES — Parasitism
K93
Current situation of antibiotic resistance in human health
and future perspectives
Rosa del Campo Moreno.
Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain.
Objective: The aim of this paper is to review the current
situation of antibiotic resistance in the hospital setting, from a
clinical and epidemiological point of view.
Material and methods: A search will be performed in
PubMed and Google Scholar for the last 5 years including both
the most prevalent and the most infrequent resistance mecha-
nisms. In addition to hospital publications, we will also include
those associated with health care centers, especially long-stay
nursing homes, and in relation to antibiotic consumption.
Results: Resistance to carbapenems, beta-lactams and
colistin in Enterobacteriaceae is the main current problem in
the hospital environment as it affects the microorganisms that
most frequently cause infections. On the other hand, the in-
creased incidence of Clostridioides difficile is also a consider-
able problem, together with the intra-hospital dissemination of
high-risk clones with multi- or pan-resistance to all antibiotics.
Antibiotic stewardship policies allow a more rational use of
the latest generation antibiotics; however, we are increasingly
aware that we need new strategies to fight against antibiot-
ic multi-resistant microorganisms. At this point, phages seem
to be the most promising alternative, in addition to ecological
strategies that aim to replace resistant populations with sensi-
tive ones with higher fitness.
Conclusions: Antibiotic resistance is a silent pandem-
ic worldwide and one of the major health problems directly
linked to increased human death, morbidity, and healthcare
costs. The search for alternatives to antibiotics is necessary
and must include a microbiological and ecological perspective
to avoid future problems.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
66
Parasitism
K94
What´s new in bovine neosporosis
Luís Miguel Ortega-Mora1, Pilar Horcajo2, Iván Pastor-Fernández2,
Esther Collantes-Fernández2.
1
UCM, Madrid, Spain; 2SALUVET, Animal Health Department,
Faculty of Veterinary Sciences-UCM, Madrid, Spain.
Bovine neosporosis is caused by the parasite Neospora
caninum a worldwide concern due to its global distribution
and leading role as an abortifacient. The impact of N. cani-
num abortions in just ten countries representing the major
cattle industries of the world was estimated to be on average
US$ 1 billion per year. In a recent systematic analysis N. cani-
num, opportunistic bacteria, BVDV and Leptospira spp. were
the pathogens with the highest participation in transmissible
abortions. The presence of N. caninum was analysed in 3,492
cases of bovine reproductive failure from 26 different studies,
being involved in 28% of them (CI: 22.3%-33.7%). The per-
centage of N. caninum detection obtained by histopathology
(42%), was greater than that obtained by PCR (26.5%), serol-
ogy (18.5%) and immunohistochemistry (12.9%).
In cattle, the only transmission routes demonstrated are
the postnatal infection by ingestion of oocysts shed by a
canid, usually the domestic dog (horizontal transmission),
and the transplacental passage from the dam to the foetus
(vertical transmission). Two different forms of transplacental
transmission have been described: the endogenous trans-
placental transmission (EnTT), due to parasite reactivation in
persistently infected dams during gestation, considered the
main transmission route in cattle, and the transplacental trans-
mission (ExTT), that occurs when dams are infected during
gestation by ingestion of oocysts and is less frequent. Both
ExTT and EnTT may result in abortion, either epidemic (storm-
like, associated to ExTT and with a highly negative economic
impact) or sporadic/endemic (low level occurrences, associat-
ed to EnTT). In recent years, we have had the opportunity to
study various epidemic outbreaks of N. caninum abortion in
large dairy herds with a high economic impact. Remarkably, N.
caninum can also cause abortion in other domestic ruminant
species such as sheep, goats, and water buffaloes. Recent
reports of dairy sheep flocks have described abortion rates
up to 25% and a seroprevalence of 32%. Seropositive sheep
were twice (OR =4.44) or three or more times (OR = 10.13)
more likely to abort than seronegative sheep, and EnTT was
the main route of transmission.
Several host and parasite factors can influence the dy-
namics of the infection in pregnant bovines, resulting in abor-
tion or the birth of healthy calves. However, the mechanisms
that determine abortion occurrence are not fully understood.
On one hand, tissue damage and disruption of placental func-
tions due to active parasite replication have been proposed
as abortion triggers. On the other hand, an immune-mediated
mechanism has been also proposed as a possible cause of
abortion. In this regard, the clinical outcome of neosporosis
is strongly associated with the period of gestation at which
primary infection occurs. This is because the response gen-

erated against the parasites is highly dependent not only on
the status of the dam’s immune system, but also the immu-
nological maturity of the foetus. In addition, disease severity
is heavily determined by the parasite strain. So far, several
N. caninum strains isolated from different hosts at different
locations have been genotyped by whole-genomics analy-
ses. These studies support the presence of a single, highly
inbred genome that has been expanded worldwide by ver-
tical transmission. Despite this, marked differences in viru-
lence in pregnant cattle have been observed among different
parasite isolates. In this sense, we have demonstrated that
the Nc-Spain7 isolate prompts foetal death and displays high
rates vertical of transmission, an increased tissue dissemi-
nation, higher parasite burdens, and more severe lesions in
placental and foetal tissues. In contrast, infection with the
Nc-Spain1H isolate does not induce foetal death or lesions
in target tissues.
Currently, there are no effective vaccines or treatments
against infection with N. caninum. Thus, control options are
restricted to diagnosis, the implementation of biosecurity mea-
sures, and the application of management practices. Despite
having a pivotal role to control or reduce the abortions induced
by N. caninum, works focused on this have been anecdotal in
the last years. This contrasts with the extensive efforts invest-
ed on the development of inactivated, sub-unit or live vaccines
against bovine neosporosis, with little success to date.
Consequently, major efforts are still required to understand
the mechanisms underlying N. caninum-abortion and develop
efficient control measures to prevent it. Until them, adequate
management practices have the potential to buffer the nega-
tive effects of neosporosis in ruminant production.
K95
Piroplasmosis of cattle
Alessandra Torina1, Valeria Blanda2.
1
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia; 2OIE Reference
Laboratory for Babesiosis- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della
Sicilia.
Cattle piroplasmosis is a tick-borne protozoal disease of
wild and domestic Bovidae caused by blood parasites of Thei-
leria and Babesia genera (phylum Apicomplexa, order Piro-
plasmida). They are transmitted by ixodid ticks and their life
cycles occur in both vertebrate and invertebrate hosts.
After the tick bite, Theileria sporozoites infect leukocytes
and multiply inside them by merogony, mature schizonts de-
velop into merozoites, which are released and invade erythro-
cytes, forming piroplasms. Theileria species can be gathered
into schizont “transforming” or “non-transforming” species, ac-
cording to their ability to immortalize infected leukocytes.
Transforming parasites include agents of severe diseases,
such as Theileria annulata (responsible of tropical theileriosis,
TT, or Mediterranean theileriosis) and Theileria parva (agent
of East Coast fever, ECF), while the most important non-trans-
forming species is Theileria orientalis (T. orientalis/buffeli
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
KEYNOTE LECTURES — Parasitism
group), which causes Oriental theileriosis (OT) or Theileria-as-
sociated bovine anaemia (TABA).
As concerning their distribution, T. parva occurs mainly in
sub-Saharan Africa and T. annulata in Southern Europe, North
Africa and Asia. Theileria orientalis/buffeli complex consists
of eleven identified genotypes, of which Chitose and Ikeda
genotypes are associated with severe disease. T. orientalis is
globally widespread, but clinical OT cases have been reported
in Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Korea, China and Vietnam.
Theileria taurotragi and T. mutans generally cause no dis-
ease or mild disease and T. velifera is non-pathogenic. These
last three parasites occur mainly in Africa, with an overlapping
distribution.
Theileria species are mainly transmitted by ticks of Hy-
alomma genus, even if other genera, such as Haemaphysalis
and Rhipicephalus, can be involved.
Cattle theileriosis is characterized by leukocyte prolifera-
tion following pathogen infection. Other symptoms include fe-
ver, lymphadenopathy, and anemia. Not treated animals die
within 3–4 weeks of infection. The pathology causes a signif-
icant reduction in animal fertility and economic losses to the
livestock industry. Oriental theileriosis is characterized by hae-
molytic anaemia, jaundice, lethargy, tachycardia and late-term
abortion in pregnant animals. T. orientalis infections can re-
main subclinical and may exacerbate under stress conditions.
Current control measures include acaricides for vector
control, therapy with anti-theilerial drugs, largely dependent
on the use of hydroxynaphthoquinone, namely buparvaquone,
and vaccination. A complex immune response is elicited by
theileriae parasites. Cell-mediated immunity is the most im-
portant protective response in T. parva and T. annulata infec-
tions and several molecules of the pathogen able to induce
host immune responses are currently under investigation as
candidate vaccine antigens.
Concerning bovine babesiosis, Babesia injected sporo-
zoites infect directly red blood cells and multiply inside eryth-
rocytes, resulting in red blood cell lysis.
Babesia bovis and B. bigemina are worldwide widespread
species affecting cattle and they are mainly transmitted by
ticks of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) genus. Babesia divergens,
the other prominent species affecting cattle, is relevant in
some European regions and it is mainly transmitted by Ixodes
ricinus.
B. bovis is generally the most pathogenic one, with infec-
tions characterized by high fever, ataxia, anorexia, general cir-
culatory shock, and sometimes neurological signs. Anaemia
and haemoglobinuria usually appear at a later stage of the
infection. B. bigemina and B. divergens show similar clinical
signs, mainly characterized by fever, haemoglobinuria and
anaemia.
Infected hosts develop both humoral and cellular immu-
nity against Babesia. Vaccines consisting of live, attenuated
strains of B. bovis, B. bigemina or B. divergens are available
in some parts of the world but their use is limited to younger
calves, as they have still a nonspecific immunity. Older vac-
cinated animals should be treated with antibabesial drugs,
mainly imidocarb, despite side effects occur.
As the success of the therapy towards cattle piroplasmosis
depends on the timeliness of the treatment, an early diagno-
67
KEYNOTE LECTURES — Parasitism
sis of clinically affected animals is essential to initiate control
actions.
Diagnosis of acute cattle piroplasmosis is based on clin-
ical signs and on examination of Giemsa-stained smears of
peripherical blood or aspirated lymph nodes. The indirect
fluorescent antibody test is the most widely used diagnostic
test. Molecular biology provides useful tools for Theileria and
Babesia species identification and genetic characterization.
Several molecular methods targeting different markers have
been developed, including polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
and sequencing, real-time PCR, reverse line blot hybridiza-
tion, loop-mediated isothermal amplification.
This presentation will focus on the main agents of cattle
piroplasmosis, with an update on their global distribution, ar-
thropod vectors, treatments, and the development of vaccines
and diagnostic tools.
K96
Best-bet integrated control strategies for managing
trypanosomosis and trypanocidal drug resistance in
African village cattle populations
Peter-Henning Clausen.
Freie Universität Berlin, Germany.
Objectives: Trypanosomosis Rational Chemotherapy,
TRYRAC, was a 5-year project (2012-2017) funded by the
Global Programme on Agricultural Research for Development
of the European Commission. Its overall objective was im-
proving the livelihoods of resource-poor livestock producers
in smallholder production systems through sustainable con-
trol of African Animal Trypanosomoses (AAT) where the ma-
jor constraint is drug resistance. Development of trypanocide
drug resistance depends on a multi-factorial process driven
by (i) trypanocidal drug use practices, (ii) quality of trypano-
cidal drugs, (iii) ability to detect resistance and (iv) availabil-
ity of strategies minimizing and controlling resistance at the
livestock keeper level, particularly smallholders. The TRYRAC
project addresses each of these factors through improving the
capacity and capability of African laboratories and veterinary
services to detect trypanocidal drug resistance, to conduct
quality control of trypanocidal drugs and to promote and mon-
itor the use of best-bet control strategies aiming at a rational
drug use approach.
Materials and methods: Cross-sectional surveys were
conducted to assess the trypanosome infection prevalence in
randomly selected village cattle herds in the provinces of Kara
and Savanes of northern Togo and in the Gurage zone of Ethi-
opia. Thereafter, drug sensitivity studies were carried out in
hot spot areas (with a trypanosome prevalence > 10%). Based
on these results, best-bet integrated strategies consisting of (i)
rational use of quality tested trypanocidal drugs in symptom-
atic cattle, (ii) targeted insecticidal spraying of the lower body
parts of cattle with a deltamethrin formulation and (iii) strategic
use of anthelminthic drugs (albendazole) were implemented in
risk group animals (calves < 2 years). Anthelmintic treatments
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
68
took place at the beginning and end of the rain season.
Results: Single and multiple drug resistance against the
therapeutic drug diminazene aceturate (DA) and the prophy-
lactic drug isometamidium chloride (ISM) at the recommended
dosages were detected with treatment failure rates ranging
from 0 to 30% for DA and from 0 to 50% for ISM (Tchamdja et
al. 2017). More than 40% of the tested trypanocidal drugs from
Togo (Tchamdja et al. 2016) and 28 % from Ethiopia (Tekle et al.
2018), respectively, did not conform to FAO established quality
standards. Rational use of trypanocidal drugs in symptomatic
animals in Togo, combined with targeted insecticidal spraying
and strategic deworming, resulted in much lower numbers of
trypanocidal treatments, compared to control herds, whereby
the animals remained in good health (Tchamdja et al. 2019).
Conclusions: This study demonstrates that the imple-
mentation of an integrated best-bet strategy leads to a re-
duced trypanosome prevalence under lowered trypanocidal
use. In the absence of new trypanocidal drugs, rational use of
the available drugs will be an appropriate strategy minimizing
the risk of drug resistance development.
References:
Tchamdja, E.; Kulo, A. E.; Akoda, K.; Teko-Agbo, A.; Assou-
my, A. M.; Niang, E. M. M.; Batawui, K.; Adomefa, K.; Bankolé,
A. A.; Kombiagou, K.; Hoppenheit, A.; Clausen, P.-H.; Mattioli,
R. C.; Peter, R.; Napier, G. B.; De Deken, R.; Marcotty, T.; Van
Den Abbeele, J.; Delespaux, V. (2016): Drug quality analysis
through high performance liquid chromatography of isomet-
amidium chloride hydrochloride and diminazene diaceturate
purchased from official and unofficial sources in Northern
Togo. Preventive Veterinary Medicine; 126, 151–158.
Tchamdja, E.; Kulo, A. E.; Vitouley, H. S.; Batawui, K.;
Bankolé, A. A.; Adomefa, K.; Cecchi, G.; Hoppenheit, A.; Clau-
sen, P. H.; De Deken, R.; Van Den Abbeele, J.; Marcotty, T.;
Delespaux, V. (2017): Cattle breeding, trypanosomosis prev-
alence and drug resistance in Northern Togo. Veterinary Par-
asitology; 236, 86–92.
Tchamdja, E.; Clausen, P.-H.; Kulo, A. E.; Batawui, K.;
Bauer, B.; Den Abbeele, J. V.; Delespaux, V.; Hoppenheit, A.
(2019): How rational drug use reduces trypanosome infec-
tions in cattle in chemo-resistance hot-spot villages of northern
Togo. Acta tropica; 190, 159–165.
Tekle, T.; Terefe, G.; Cherenet, T.; Ashenafi, H.; Akoda, K.
G.; Teko-Agbo, A.; Van Den Abbeele, J.; Gari, G.; Clausen,
P.-H.; Hoppenheit, A.; Mattioli, R. C.; Peter, R.; Marcotty, T.;
Cecchi, G.; Delespaux, V. (2018): Aberrant use and poor qual-
ity of trypanocides: a risk for drug resistance in south western
Ethiopia. BMC Veterinary Research; 14(1), 4.
K97
Venereal diseases in beef cattle: an old problem that needs
new approaches
Luís Miguel Ortega-Mora1, Esther Collantes-Fernández2.
1
UCM, Madrid, Spain; 2SALUVET, Animal Health, Department,
Faculty of Veterinary Sciences-UCM, Madrid, Spain.
 KEYNOTE LECTURES — Parasitism

Bovine trichomonosis (BT) and bovine genital campylo- tive performance and reducing the financial losses that come
bacteriosis (BGC) are sexually transmitted diseases of cattle with open cows and late-born calve. BGC is mainly controlled
listed by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). Both by diagnostic testing, reporting, and culling of infected bulls.
venereal diseases are considered an important cause of early Antibiotic treatment (streptomycin or oxytetracycline) can be
reproductive failure in beef cattle kept under extensive man- successful in bulls under 3 years old, but it is often not effec-
agement conditions, placing important restrictions on the inter- tive in older bulls, thus culling is recommended. Unfortunately,
national trade of animals and animal products. BT is caused by and despite several commercial vaccines for BGC have been
the flagellated protozoan parasite Tritrichomonas foetus (Tf). associated with some protection in cattle, they are not com-
The causative agent of BGC is Campylobacter fetus subsp. mercially available worlwide.
venerealis (Cfv), a microaerophilic, Gram-negative and mo-
tile bacterium with a characteristic spiral form. Tritrichomonas
foetus and Cfv colonize the preputial cavity of bulls and the
urogenital tract of females and are transmitted during coitus.
Bulls act as asymptomatic carriers, whereas the disease in
females causes embryonic death or early abortion. Econom-
ic losses arise from prolonged calving intervals, reduced calf
drop caused by failure of or delay in conception, increased
culling of infected animals and increased veterinary costs.
BT and BGC are still prevalent in some areas of Austra-
lia, North and South America and Africa. In Europe, the wide-
spread use of artificial insemination (AI) and effective control
programmes have greatly reduced the incidence of both dis-
eases. However, recent studies in beef cattle in Spain found a
prevalence of T. foetus infection of 12.7% in bulls (385/3016)
and 20.7% in farms. In a different study, the prevalence of
BCG was 7.7% (400/5182) and 12.2% for bulls and farms, re-
spectively. These results highlight the need to diagnose these
diseases in geographic areas and in management systems
where risk factors for venereal diseases are present. In terms
of diagnosis, bulls should be the target for diagnostic investi-
gations, epidemiological studies, as well as control and pre-
vention strategies. The laboratory diagnosis for BT is well-es-
tablished with sampling methods, transport of the sample to
the laboratory and detection by parasite growth in culture and
confirmation by PCR perfectly validated. However, the labo-
ratory diagnosis of Cfv by microbial culture, direct immunoflu-
orescence test and PCR can be problematic due to different
factors related to its growth and the differentiation between Cfv
and C. fetus fetus. Bacteriologic culture with subsequent phe-
notypic identification remains the gold standard for the detec-
tion of Cfv. Nevertheless, isolation of Cfv from field samples is
difficult, showing low sensitivity. Subsequently, the majority of
Cfv detection is currently achieved by PCR assays, although
the specificity of these techniques is, at present, under dis-
cussion.
Programs for the prevention and control of venereal dis-
eases are partially successful, because risk factors (e.g. com-
munal pastures, the lack of diagnostic tests before the breed-
ing season and a the use of old bulls) cannot be avoided.
Vaccination could be a feasible control measure to reduce the
economic losses. Vaccines are only indicated for cows since
they do not induce protection in bulls. In most cases, vaccines
will not prevent infection, but they will reduce the time to clear-
ance of both pathogens from the reproductive tract before foe-
tal loss occurs, improving pregnancy rates by decreasing the
duration of endometritis. A new vaccine capable to stimulate
humoral and mucosal immunity against Tf and reducing the
length of the parasite genital infection in cows under experi-
mental challenge has been recently developed. Under natural
infection situations, this effect was translated into shorted calv-
ing intervals and earlier calving date, improving the reproduc-

31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID

69
 WORKSHOPS

W01 – W03 ECBHM WORKSHOP

W04 REPRODUCTION IN BEEF CATTLE WORKSHOP
W05 – W07 REPRODUCTION IN DAIRY CATTLE
W08 REPRODUCTION WORKSHOP
W09 GENETICS AND BREEDING WORKSHOP
W10 CONTINUING EDUCATION WORKSHOP
W11 – W12 UDDER HEALTH WORKSHOP (IN FARM)
W14 CATTLE WELFARE WORKSHOP
W15 DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING WORKSHOP
W16 – W18 NUTRITION AND BIOTECHNOLOGY WORKSHOP
W19 – W21 BIOTECHNOLOGY WORKSHOP
W22 EPIDEMIOLOGY WORKSHOP
W23 SURGERY WORKSHOP
W24 – W27 APPLICATION OF SYSTEMS THINKING DISCIPLINE
IN BEEF CATTLE VETERINARY MEDICINE

ECBHM WORKSHOP
W01
Influence of water quality to the Somatic cell count in dairy
herds
Beat Berchtold.
Tierärztliche Bestandesbetreuung, Switzerland.
Water is the number one component in cattle feeding.
Calves as well as heifers and cows react sensitively to an ele-
vated bacterial load in water. The clinical signs can vary from
indigestion, high somatic cell count (SCC), clinical mastitis or
lameness problems. If the taste of water is affected, decreased
water intake has a direct effect on milk yield. The pathogen-
esis of the clinical signs associated with increased bacterial
counts in the drinking water of dairy cows is not known so far.
A possible explanation is the presence of bacterial toxins in
the water. The physical and chemical qualities of the water as
well as the buildup of the water pipe, as well as the flow rate
can have an impact on the unknown pathogenesis and ob-
served clinical signs in cattle. Clarification of the water quality
is done by bacteriological analysis of E. coli, Enterococcus sp.
and aerobic mesophilic germs. A acceptable water quality is
negative for E. coli and Enterococcus sp.. The amount of aer-
obic mesophilic germs must be less than 300 colony forming
units per ml water.
The presented case report describes a rise in SCC and
clinical mastitis rate after installation of an automatic milking
system in a Swiss dairy farm. Investigation on the farm re-
vealed inadequate water quality as the main risk factor. Bac-
terial analyses of the water show an elevated count of aerobic
mesophilic germs. The result for E. coli and Enterococcus sp.
was negative. After improving the quality of the drinking wa-
ter by physical ultraviolet treatment, bulk tank milk SCC de-
creased and cases of clinical mastitis almost disappeared.
In case of concerns about cattle health, the water quality
on farms should be considered as a potential risk factor after
exclusion of other causes. Poor water quality may also com-
promize cattle health in combination with other causes. The
importance of water in cattle feeding justify the regularly check
of its quality in the frame of herd health management.
W02
The comparison of two heat detection systems in a large
dairy herd in West Wales
Lies Beekhuis.
Tivy Vets, UK.
Objective: In the United Kingdom most dairy herds rely
on oestrus detection to artificially inseminate (AI) dairy cows.
When a cow finishes her voluntary waiting period it is essen-
tial that oestrus is detected timely and accurately to ensure AI
takes place on the correct day, at the right time. The objective
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
WORKSHOPS
of this study was to compare and analyse interservice intervals
as a measure for accuracy of heat detection for two different
heat detection systems that were used consecutive years in a
dairy herd in West Wales.
Materials and methods: Reproductive data was collected
from one large dairy herd in West Wales. All data derived from
cows in milk. Breeds used in the analysis were; Holsteins, Jer-
seys and Crossbred (Holstein x Jersey) cows. Four consecu-
tive breeding seasons spanning from November 2017 to Octo-
ber 2021 were analysed. In the analysed period two different
heat detection methods were used. From September 2017 to
April 2019 oestrus was detected using manually applied chalk
on the tail head and visual oestrus detection [chalk system].
From October 2019 to October 2021 heat was detected with
heat detection collars and additional visual detection [collar
system].
Results: The herd size was around the 800 cows during
the study period. Cows calved down in autumn and winter and
were bred from November to April each year. Average yearly
submission rates were higher with the chalk system then with
the collar system. Average yearly pregnancy rates were high-
er with the collar system than with the chalk system. Further
analyses of the interservice intervals indicated that the collar
system was more accurate in detecting heat than the chalk
system.
Conclusions: It is important to keep in mind that timely
and accurate heat detection in a dairy herd depends not only
on the used heat detection system but also on other factors
like nutrition and housing. The analysed data showed that sub-
mission rates were higher when the chalk system was used
compared to when the collar system was used. Nevertheless,
with the collar system cows were more likely to conceive to a
service than when the chalk system was used.
W03
Sustainable parasite management in French cattle; treat as
little as reasonably achievable
Philippe Camuset.
Cabinet vétérinaire Yvetot, France.
Objectives: In 1981, ivermectin was released on the
French veterinary market. The then recently understood type 2
ostertagiasis could be successfully managed and warble flies
became eradicated. Those treatments were applied at the end
of the grazing season. During the following years, long acting
devices, or protocols involving macrocyclic lactones, prevent-
ed the strongyle infestation, thus optimizing growth during the
first and second grazing seasons. However, the combination
of those preventative and curative worming treatments didn’t
allow the development of immunity against strongyles. So, to
avoid parasitism being an issue after the first grazing season,
it was necessary to repeat treatments in the second grazing
season, even in adult cows. As a result, resistant worm pop-
ulations were developing and becoming a real concern and,
since the beginning of the 2000’s, ecotoxicity of macrocyclic
73
WORKSHOPS
lactones was reported and this now leads to a real One Health
concern. This paper describes how our practice has been in-
volved in parasite management since the 90’s, with regular
communication with our farmers, and, since 1997, the regu-
lar assessment of serum pepsinogen levels at the end of the
first grazing season to manage winter worming programmes
aimed at digestive strongyles. The first parasitism audits were
implemented in 2004 with a sustained deployment from 2008.
Currently, about fifty herds are followed up each year.
Materials and methods: The essence of the audit is based
on the assessment of the parasitic risk, mainly on pasture. The
parasites present on the farm are examined and, if necessary,
laboratory based-tests (serology, coproscopy) are prescribed
in order to get a complete picture of the parasitism of the con-
cerned herd. A strong understanding of the pastures and the
animal group management leads us to assess the parasitic
risk for gastro-intestinal strongyles (GIS), Dictyocaulus as far
as possible, and wet area trematodes. For GIS, the number
of generations is estimated, the parasitic impact occurs af-
ter the second or the third one for naïve animals. For older
ones, the immunity is taken into account. For dictyocaulosis,
the presence of healthy carriers, the pasture management are
studied. For wet area trematodes, the contact with the snail
intermediate hosts is the key point to manage. According to
the potential zootechnic or clinical impact we have assessed,
agronomic or medical advice is proposed to the farmer. In a
quality approach, laboratory based tests are used to validate
the vet prescription at the end of the grazing season or during
the next winter.
Results: Each year, 40 to 50 herds are followed up ac-
cording to the described method; some for up to 14 years. Our
stated goal is to “Treat as little as reasonably achievable”. This
concept is nowadays completely shared by our farmers. As an
example among the 80 herds that have been followed up in
our practice, JF Chauveau contacted us in October 2010 as
his herd had clinical signs and collapsed milk production due
to paramphistomes. Some cows were shedding more than
2000 epg in their faeces. Emergency measures were carried
on and a complete audit was set up in March 2011. Thanks
to reasoned treatments, paramphistomes were eradicated by
2021 and the farmer deworms now only first grazing seasons
calves turned out from April to June with a suitable formulation
of moxidectine in spring in order to balance zootechnical per-
formances, ecotoxicity and resistance development. Older an-
imals are dewormed in a targeted approach with eprinomectin.
Conclusion: Our practice is one of the leaders in France
for bovine and equine parasitology audits. In our clinic, we
have developed a parasitology unit implementing more than
600 coproscopies each year for herbivores. We have trained
many colleagues to use this method in France and the 2020
mandatory bovine sanitary visit which we prepared with the
French department of Ecology was about sustainable man-
agement of parasitism addressing the topics of ecotoxicity
and resistances. Nowadays, farmers are demanding this kind
of delivery, because they are conscious of their responsibili-
ty towards civil society. By this approach, we are completely
involved in the One Health concept and, in our modest level,
in the fight against the global warming process. Sustainable
livestock breeding is one of the virtuous way of increasing the
ability of soil flora and fauna to trap atmospheric carbon.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
74
REPRODUCTION IN BEEF CATTLE WORKSHOP
W04
The role of the veterinarian in reproductive management
programs: Maximizing fertility to FTAI in beef cattle
around the glove
Gabriel Bo.
Instituto de Reproducción Animal Córdoba (IRAC), Zona Rural
General Paz, (5145) Córdoba, Argentina. Instituto de Ciencias Básicas,
Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional de Villa María, Villa del
Rosario, Córdoba, Argentina.
The objective of the incorporation of valuable genetics in
beef herds using AI is to improve profitability. The development
of hormonal treatments that control the time of ovulation has
allowed the development of Fixed Time Artificial Insemination
(FTAI) protocols. However, it must be considered that a signif-
icant number of breeding herds are still using natural services
with bulls. In these herds, a significant percentage of cows are
in postpartum anestrus at the beginning of the breeding sea-
son, which causes a delay in their conception. This workshop
will present experiments using cyclicity induction and ovulation
synchronization programs with the use of intravaginal proges-
terone releasing devices combined with estrogen salts or with
GnRH, in order to improve reproductive performance of com-
mercial beef herds. A precise and detailed knowledge of the
hormones involved in the FTAI protocols is essential. Further-
more, it is necessary to know the conditions of the herds and
their productive objectives to determine which protocols best
suit in their production system. In addition, other issues must
be considered. As Veterinarians we must take care of all these
issues to ensure satisfactory results and to avoid unpleasant
surprises. The quality of the semen to be used, the personnel
available to work with the animals with reasonable standards
of animal welfare, and the quality of the facilities available to
work with a large number of animals in a short period of time
are essential to ensure good results. Health is an issue that
will not be the focus of this discussion, but it is undoubtedly
fundamental. It is necessary to implement an annual control
and disease prevention program. In addition, a strict control of
the entry of new animals is essential to prevent other diseas-
es. Finally, although good pregnancy rates can be obtained,
we must be clear that beef producers do not sell pregnancy
rates, but rather their result is evaluated in kilograms of beef
per hectare produced. Therefore, our responsibility is to co-
ordinate and program activities that include everything nec-
essary for the implementation of reproductive programs to be
as efficient as possible. These technologies can contribute to
the improvement of reproductive efficiency and, consequently,
improve the profitability of beef production systems.

REPRODUCTION IN DAIRY CATTLE
W05
Calving management – how to predict and when to assist?
John F Mee1-2, Carola Fisher Tenhagen3, Otto Szenci4.
; 2Teagasc, Moorepark Research Centre, Republic of Ireland; 3Freie
1
Universität Berlin, Germany; 4University of Veterinary Medicine
Budapest, Hungary.
Objective: Changing the way we manage cows on the
point of, and during, calving has the potential to reduce time
spent monitoring preparturient cows and unobserved calv-
ing-associated dystocia and stillbirth and improve perinatal
outcomes for both the dam and her calf. Recent advances in
agri-tech have generated numerous novel devices designed to
predict calving time more accurately than traditional methods.
In addition, the question of when to assist at calving has been
addressed in recent research and the results may change the
way we approach this task in future. This workshop addresses
these topics. The format is modelled on workshop presented
at the European Society for Domestic Animal Reproduction
(ESDAR) annual conference in Saint Petersburg in 2019. The
objective of the workshop is to present and discuss the latest
research results on a topic of everyday interest to cattle veter-
inarians and their clients internationally: calving management,
specifically prediction of calving time and assistance at dys-
tocia.
Materials and methods: This is a genuine, interactive,
delegate-focused workshop. The workshop will be opened
by a moderator giving an overview introductory presentation
on the topic of interest – calving management. The format of
the workshop will be a Gallery Walk. This involves: 3 work-
stations with flip charts; delegates randomly divided between
workstations to form 3 groups led by a delegate rapporteur;
groups spend 10-15 mins at first workstation discussing allo-
cated topic; groups (but not rapporteur) then rotate clockwise
between the 3 workstations spending 5-7 and 5-7 mins at their
second and third workstations. Moderator and speakers float
across groups to answer questions but do not directly influ-
ence groups. When rotations are complete each rapporteur
presents the conclusions for their topic to the whole workshop
using the flip charts’ bullet points. Moderator and speakers dis-
cuss. This is followed by two short oral communications by do-
main expert speakers on ‘Devices to predict calving time’ and
‘When to assist at calving?’ The moderator then concludes the
workshop by summarising the key take home messages.
Results: The results of the workshop are the ideas, opin-
ions and messages generated by the delegates at the three
workstations: devices to predict time of calving, when/how to
examine/assist at calving and how to train farmer clients in
calving assistance/when to call the vet, in combination with
the three oral presentations. The content on the workstation
flip charts will be photographed and emailed to interested del-
egates following the workshop.
Conclusions: This workshop will present blended conclu-
sions on the titular topic developed as a combination between
delegate-generated feedback and speaker oral presentations.
These may generate new ideas for future interactive discus-
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
WORKSHOPS
sion in this or related fields of interest to veterinary practi-
tioners.
W06
Giving the right advice: expert’s recommendation for
calving management
Carola Fischer-Tenhagen1, John F. Mee2.
1
Department Experimental Toxicology and ZEBET, Unit Animal
Husbandry, Aquaculture and Reference German Federal Institute for
Risk Assessment, Germany. 2Department of Animal and Bioscience
Research, Teagasc, Moorepark Research Centre, Fermoy, County Cork,
P61 P302, Ireland.
Optimal calving management enhances the chances that
the cow will transition into lactation successfully and that her
calf will start life vigorous and healthy. Much research on
physiology and pathology of the calving process has been
published over the years. The object of this presentation is to
distill these research findings into practical information which
veterinary practitioners can use to improve both their calving
management skills and those of their client farmers. Critical-
ly, it is essential to understand the physiological time scale
of the birth process. Restlessness and visibility of fetal parts
at the vulva are important predictors of an imminent calving.
Information on the correct positioning/posture of the calf in the
birth canal and “which are the easy ones” to correct, including
hygienic procedures, should be topics in practical demonstra-
tions by the veterinarian in charge on the farm. A clear time
line for intervention and which dystocia cases are “the hard
ones for the vet” are important principles to be delivered by
the expert.
W07
Importance of predicting the onset of calving to prevent
stillbirth on dairy farms
Szenci Ottó1, Mee John F.2.
1
University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest; 2Department of Animal
and Bioscience Research, Teagasc, Moorepark Research Centre, Fermoy,
County.
The profitability of cattle breeding is greatly influenced by
the rate at which calves are born alive and reared to adult-
hood. Despite the recent developments in animal breeding,
perinatal mortality in Holstein-Friesian heifers and cows is still
very high (3.5 to 8%) in some countries. If the onset of calving
can be accurately detected as well as appropriate calving as-
sistance provided, the prevalence of dystocia, stillbirth, vaginal
laceration, retained foetal membranes, and consequent clini-
cal metritis/endometritis can be significantly reduced.
The goal is to provide obstetrical assistance at an appro-
75
WORKSHOPS
priate time after detecting the onset of the second stage of la-
bour. Traditionally detection of stage two was dependent upon
intermittent/continuous observation. However, several devices
are now commercially available to detect the onset of calving.
These include biosensors which monitor body temperature,
tail elevation, behavioural signs or the opening of the vulva.
The latest research results in this field are presented and
the associated literature is reviewed. The advantages and
disadvantages of the different predictive methods will be dis-
cussed to select the most accurate method for the detection
of the onset of calving on a dairy farm. These results and the
associated review indicate that currently the vaginal device is
the most accurate method of predicting the onset of calving in
dairy cows.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
76
REPRODUCTION WORKSHOP
W08
Applied epidemiology: how to interpret and use research
data in practice, using examples in reproduction
Aurora Villarroel.
Athyr Vet, LLC, USA.
Objectives: Clinicians often assume that anything that is
published in a scientific journal is scientific evidence. Howev-
er, not all publications represent research of a question or hy-
pothesis, and not all publications are correctly performed or
analyzed. The objective of this workshop is to train clinicians
to differentiate various types of published papers, and how to
determine if the methodology, analyses and conclusions are
correct, so they can decide whether it is pertinent information
to change the way they practice veterinary medicine.
Materials and methods: The workshop will start with short
introduction explaining the various types of published papers
and how to determine which type a specific paper is. Follow-
ing this introduction, there will be real examples of published
research of each type for clarification. At least two research
articles will then be dissected to evaluate methodology, statis-
tical analysis and author conclusions.
Results: At the conclusion of this workshop attendees will
know not to use the abstract of an article as evidence, and
instead consider it just an indication of whether the article may
be able to provide the information they are seeking. Readers
will be able to evaluate the actual information provided by the
research only after reading the main sections of the article:
“Materials & Methods” and “Results”. Attendees will be able
to understand the difference between statistical significance
(given by the p-value of a statistical analysis) and biological
significance (the perceived utility of the conclusions provided
by the research article for a clinician in their practice).
Conclusions: When reading published research, clini-
cians should focus on the “Materials & Methods” section of an
article to determine if the methodology is appropriate to evalu-
ate the studied research question, and then focus on the “Re-
sults” section to decide their own conclusions of the research,
and whether they can use this new information to help in the
treatment of their patients. It is valid to have different conclu-
sions from those of the published article. The clinicians may
have different conditions as those described in the study (for
example, research done in a desert may not apply to a farm in
a tropical setting and vice versa), or they may decide that the
procedures required to obtain the studied outcome are not via-
ble in their clinical setting (for example, handling cows multiple
times for hormone application may not be an option). Finally,
clinicians may conclude that the methodology or analysis of a
research article is invalid and, therefore, no real conclusions
can be drawn from it.

GENETICS AND BREEDING WORKSHOP
W09
How do we use genetic data to improve farm profitability
Francisco Peñagaricano.
University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA.
Effective use of genomics: Sire selection. Dairy sire
selection has dramatically changed with the implementation
of genomic selection. Nowadays, dairy farmers have basical-
ly two main options when they make sire selection decisions:
use proven, progeny-tested bulls or use young genomic-test-
ed bulls, i.e., young bulls with no progeny that have been eval-
uated using only their own genomic data. Notably, the number
of young genomic-tested bulls currently in the market far ex-
ceeds that of progeny-tested bulls. The key concept regarding
young genomic-tested dairy bulls is that, on average, these
young bulls have greater predicted genetic merit values than
the proven bulls. Now, these higher genetic values are accom-
panied by lower reliability values. The question is how dairy
farmers should proceed in this scenario: farmers should use
young genomic-tested bulls because they have greater PTA
values, or, instead, farmers should use proven bulls because
they have more reliable PTA estimates. The best strategy is
to use a group or team of young genomic-tested bulls. The
advantage of using a group of young bulls is that reliability of
the average genetic merit of the team is considerably greater
than the reliability of each individual bull.
Effective use of genomics: Replacement heifer se-
lection. The selection of replacement heifers in commercial
dairy farms has been traditionally characterized by very low
intensity of selection, because, in general, farmers retain
nearly every heifer calf as a future herd replacement. How-
ever, recent improvements in herd management and the use
of sexed semen have led to produce a considerable surplus
of heifer calves. In this context, the selection of replacement
heifers is feasible, and genomic testing allows the identifica-
tion of superior or inferior heifer calves accurately and at an
early age. The identification of genetically inferior heifer calves
allows early culling of these animals, significantly reducing the
cost of rearing replacements. Alternatively, these genetically
inferior heifers can be inseminated with beef semen to pro-
duce high-value crossbred beef calves. On the other hand,
the identification of superior heifers through genomics can be
combined with the use of advanced reproductive technologies
to rapidly propagate these animals and generate superior re-
placements. These high-genetic-merit heifers can be used as
donors in either an in vitro fertilization program or an embryo
transfer program. Instead, these superior heifers can be in-
seminated using sexed semen from top sires. It is worth noting
that genotyping replacement heifers has extra benefits other
than making proper selection and mating decisions, including
parentage verification, controlling inbreeding, and avoiding the
spread of genetic disorders through genomic-enhanced mat-
ings. Arguably, these benefits add value to genomic testing.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
WORKSHOPS
CONTINUING EDUCATION WORKSHOP
W10
Models of clinical education of bovine medicine
Ángel Abuelo Sebio1, Carlos Risco2.
1
Michigan State University, USA; 2University of Oklahoma, USA.
The veterinary medical profession has a long and laud-
able history of meeting evolving societal needs throughout the
world. From the beginning of our profession, and continuing
today, veterinarians have been at the forefront in providing
care and disease prevention to livestock. An emerging soci-
etal need is the global increased demand for a wholesome
and economical source or animal-based protein. A challenge
that the veterinary medical profession faces to meet this need,
is the global shortage of food animal veterinarians. Without
veterinarians, farmers, public health, and the food supply
are more vulnerable to potential disease outbreaks and oth-
er sources of economic loss that impacts food security. The
shortage of food animal veterinarians is due to multifactorial
problems such as to growing student debt, long hours, and
fewer graduates wanting to live in rural communities. Another
challenge is that beef and dairy production units have mod-
ernized with the application of new technologies and grown in
scale and a reliance on intensive capital and population-based
approaches to animal production. This change has resulted in
different expectations from these producers for veterinary ser-
vices. Although some veterinary curricula have expanded to
include education in the application of these new technologies
in herd hearth and preventive medicine, food animal clinical
training continues primarily with a focus on individual animal
medicine, diagnosis and treatment of disease. Arguably, these
management changes in beef and dairy production to a more
system based, have resulted in a growing shortage of veteri-
narian who have the expected training and skills to meet the
needs of producers that operate in an intensified technology
based animal-based food production system.
Materials and methods: The presentation will address
1) Historical Perspective of Veterinary Medical Education in
Food Animal Medicine - what are the gaps that can be filled
in our current training ? 2) Strategies to reduce food-animal
veterinary service shortages 3)Development of continuing
education programs for veterinarians focused on production
medicine - does one size fit all? The afternoon session will
consist of a roundtable by faculty from colleges of veterinary
medicine on the pros and cons of models used in cattle clinical
education. Practitioners in attendance will be encouraged to
provide input and participate in the discussion.
Results and Conclusion: The goal of the presentation
and roundtable is to consider options on best educational
practices to enable food animal veterinarians to be more suc-
cessful in their professional careers and personal lives. More
specifically, an educational program that will give food animal
veterinarians the tools and skills that will increase the quality
and quantity of the services provided to beef and dairy cattle
producers. A summary of the discussions of the roundtable will
be provided to attendees of the conference.
77
WORKSHOPS
UDDER HEALTH WORKSHOP (IN FARM)
W11
The importance of milking time assessments (observations
and not physical measurements)
Ian Ohnstad.
The Dairy Group (UK).
There are International Standards on the procedures and
methods for testing milking machines (ISO 6690:2007) and
the basic operating parameters required (ISO 5707:2007). As
these tests do not include actual milking, the results may lead
to an incomplete evaluation and provide misleading results
(International Dairy Federation, Bulletin 396/2005).
Objective: To highlight a number of key points that will
allow competent personnel to assess the suitability of the milk-
ing system.
Materials and Methods: There are three broad areas to
consider.
1. Mechanical observations
• Vacuum levels – checking the accuracy of the gauge
set for the type of machine in operation (high or low
level milklines). Too low a level can extend machine on
time, increase liner slip and may decrease milk yields.
Teat congestion and incomplete milking indicate too
high a level.
• Vacuum stability – as important as working level. The
vacuum at the receiver vessel should fluctuate no more
than +/- 2.0kPa during milking, nor between the receiv-
er vessel and milkline for more than 95% of a normal
milking.
• Vacuum in the liner mouthpiece chamber (MPC) - to
average at least 10kPa less than the average claw vac-
uum during peak milk flow. Teat barrel congestion and
palpable mouthpiece rings are usually reduced when
the MPC vacuum is less than 20 kPa. Higher MPC vac-
uum levels are observed with over-milking and larger
bore liners. The presence of palpable mouthpiece rings
on more than 20% of teats warrants investigation (in-
creased mastitis new infection rates).
• Operation of the vacuum regulator. A simple test when
air is admitted. Listen to see if the regulator closes off
or the speed of a VFC increases.
• Fall off test – to assess if the machine can keep the
vacuum level stable when a unit is removed or kicked
off.
• Pulsation – listen closely to each pulsator for uniformi-
ty. Check liners are fitted correctly and in good condi-
tion. Correct liner movement can be assessed using
the thumb test.
• Liner slippage – if more than 5% per milking then inves-
tigate and action.
2. Operator observations
• Attachment of the milking units – with minimum air
admission and a smooth, efficient manner. Units must
hang squarely on the udder with equal weight distribu-
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
78
tion between all four teats.
• Removal of the milking unit. Clusters must not be re-
moved while under vacuum. Check for blocked air
bleeds which also lead to slower milking, liner slippage
and teats being bathed in milk during peak milk flow.
• Over-milking must always be avoided. With twice a day
milking, units should be removed promptly when the
flow rate drops to between 0.3 – 0.5 kg/min and nearer
0.6 – 0.8 kg/min with three times a day milking. If hand
stripping identifies that >20% of quarters yield more
than 100ml milk, then investigate.
• Cleanliness of the operator and facilities is essential.
• Demeanour of the operator. Dairy cows respond pos-
itively to a quiet, calm and consistent milking environ-
ment, including cow collection. If more than 5% of cows
defecate something is wrong.
• Consistency of milking routine, with all cows receiving
the same preparation intensity and duration, with stan-
dard time lags from first contact to attachment of the
cluster.
• Milk Let down. Good preparation is essential for good
milk let down and achieving less than 10% of bi-modal
milk flow. A calm, well stimulated cow should produce
around 50% of her production within 2.0 minutes of unit
attachment.
• Teat disinfection. Teats should be disinfected as soon
as practical after cluster removal, ensuring total teat
coverage.
3. Cow Observations
• Cow behaviour. An effective milking requires calm quiet
cows for optimum milking efficiency and milk quality.
• Teat Condition. Routine assessment of teat condition
is part of any milking time assessment. The National
Mastitis Council (nmconline.org) has recently updated
Teat Condition Scoring.
• Cow cleanliness. Essential for milking efficiency and
milk quality. Changes in management, environment
and housing can be clearly identified with regular scor-
ing.
Conclusions: Detailed observations at milking time can
highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the overall milking
process. Any comprehensive assessment needs to take ac-
count of the complex interaction between milking machine,
operator and cow. Failure to understand the relationship may
lead to inappropriate conclusions being drawn and incorrect
recommendations.
W12
Milking time assessment – an useful tool in the armoury for
a dairy veterinarian
Ronald Erskine, Ian Ohnstad.
Michigan State University, USA.

Background: Most dairy farms have their milking equip-
ment evaluated and maintained on a routine basis. Although
proper equipment function is necessary for milking perfor-
mance, it does not guarantee it. Two management areas that
can lead to poor milking efficiency are: 1) milking routines that
don’t achieve consistent milk letdown and 2) overmilking. Ei-
ther one of these problems can leave cows ‘high and dry’ and
expose teats to high vacuum levels. Improper function of pul-
sation, milking vacuum, or the interaction of vacuum with liners
and milking cluster design can be also problematic.
Additionally, many dairy operations are increasingly rely-
ing on hired labor, especially foreign-born workers. However,
many dairy managers have limited human resource knowl-
edge and experience; this often leads to frustration with proto-
col drift and employees who have little training to understand
1) milking dynamics, 2) the operation of the equipment they
use every day, and 3) troubleshooting problems with milking
equipment.
Methods: This will be an interactive session in which we
will discuss case studies and applied research regarding milk-
ing dynamics and the relation to milk quality, udder health, and
herd profitability. This will be an opportunity for dairy veteri-
narians to better understand the impact of milking protocols
on milking performance of the cows. What do the cows tell us
about their milking experience? What tools and observations
can we use to improve the cow’s experience? What are the
outcomes we should monitor to evaluate changes in protocols
and management?
Objectives:
1) Evaluating milking machine performance.
2) Learning observational tools to use during milking
evaluation.
3) Tracking outcomes of changes in milking protocols
and machine operation.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
WORKSHOPS
CATTLE WELFARE WORKSHOP
W14
Animal welfare assessment at farm level and its implications
for economic sustainability of dairy farms
Trevor De Vries1, Xavier Manteca2.
1
Guelph University, Canada; 2Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona,
Spain.
Animal welfare has become an essential aspect of mod-
ern livestock production. Animal welfare assessment tools are
needed to identify problem areas and monitor progress when
improvement strategies are implemented. The objective of
this workshop is to discuss the principles underlying welfare
assessment and how welfare assessment protocols may be
used to improve the economic sustainability of dairy farms.
Animal welfare may be assessed using indicators, i.e. vari-
ables that can be measured objectively. Because of the mul-
tidimensional nature of animal welfare, no indicator is enough
by itself to assess the welfare of an animal or group of animals.
Thus, a combination of several indicators should be used if
welfare is to be evaluated.
Welfare indicators should meet the following requirements:
First, they should be valid, that is, they should really measure
animal welfare. The validity of an indicator may be assessed
by expert opinion or, preferably, by investigations in which this
indicator is compared with an independent measure of wel-
fare. Second, welfare indicators should show a high intra- and
inter-observer reliability. Third, indicators should be practical
and ideally minimally or non-invasive for the animals.
Welfare indicators are divided into two groups: ani-
mal-based indicators and environment or resource-based indi-
cators. Animal-based indicators are all those variables that are
measured directly in animals, such as frequency, duration or
intensity of a behaviour, incidence or prevalence of health con-
ditions, or plasma concentration of hormones, as examples.
Environment-based indicators include the size and design of
facilities where animals are kept, the quantity and quality of
food they receive, the temperature at which they are exposed,
etc.; in short, environment-based indicators are variables that
are not measured in animals, but in their environment.
The main difficulty of environment-based indicators is that
a given environmental variable can have very different effects
on animal welfare. This is due, first, to the fact that individuals
of the same species may respond differently to a feature of the
environment. A second reason why the effects of environmen-
tal variables are not always predictable is that a phenomenon
of interaction between variables may occur, often as result of
different management within similar environments.
Because the effect of environmental variables on welfare
may not always be reliably foreseen, several researchers have
suggested that, as far as possible, animal welfare should be
evaluated with animal-based indicators that provide direct in-
formation on the state of animals. This does not mean, in any
way, that environment-based indicators are not useful. There
are some welfare problems that may be more easily mea-
sured with environment-based indicators. For example, it is
79
WORKSHOPS
often easier to check that animals have free access to good
quality water than to assess any possible state of dehydration.
In this case, several environment-based indicators (number,
location, operation and design of the water troughs, and water
quality) would be more useful than an animal-based indicator
(signs of dehydration). Furthermore, although animal-based
indicators are especially useful for evaluating welfare state,
environment-based indicators are needed to identify the cause
of a possible problem and allow for continuous improvements.
Animal-based indicators can be grouped into four main
categories: indicators related to the behaviour of animals; in-
dicators related to the appearance of animals; physiological
indicators, and indicators obtained from farm records, such as
the prevalence and incidence of diseases.
To assess the overall welfare of an animal or group of an-
imals, the protocol used must combine several indicators and
include a description of the method to be used to measure
each indicator. One of the main difficulties of all welfare as-
sessment protocols lies in the aggregation of different mea-
sures to obtain an overall score.
Animal welfare assessment at the farm level largely influ-
ences economic sustainability by ensuring compliance with
set standards of animal welfare, which then increases soci-
etal confidence in that sector and, thus, helps ensure market
share. In addition, there is evidence that that compliance with
animal welfare standards may also be associated with greater
cow health, production, and longevity, which all contribute to
greater farm profitability and economic sustainability.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
80
DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING WORKSHOP
W15
Extragenital applications of Ultrasonography
Sebastien Buczinski1, Jill Colloton2, Giovanni Gnemmi3.
Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Canada;
1
Bovine Services, USA; 3BOVINEVET INTERNACIONAL Bovine
2
Ultrasound Services & Herd Management, Huesca, Spain.
Objectives: Today, reproductive ultrasonography has a
plantar diffusion. The diagnosis of gestation, of non-gestation,
the diagnosis of foetal sex and the diagnosis of the physio-pa-
thology of the ovary and uterus, is carried out daily every-
where. Extra-genital ultrasonography, although more slowly,
is also becoming more widespread and is beginning to be a
complementary examination that the buiatrician who also or
only deals with bovine internal medicine relies on to confirm
and sometimes define a clear diagnosis. In many cases, the
buiitra can carry out this examination without the need for in-
strumentation other than that used for genital ultrasonography.
The aim of this presentation is to show possible applications
of the ultrasound technique with instruments and probes, nor-
mally used in bovine reproduction, but also how to perform an
ultrasound examination of the abdomen using lower working
frequencies, and therefore different probes, than those nor-
mally used in bovine reproduction.
Materials & Methods: The ultrasound examination of
the lung, the teats and the umbilical region of the calf, have
one point in common: often the clinical examination, even if
well done, does not allow the type of lesion, its extension and
therefore a prognosis to be clearly defined. This examination
is performed with a 5.0-7.5 MHz linear probe and portable or
ultra-portable instruments. The ultrasound examination of the
abdomen when performed on calves can be done with a 5.0-
7.5 MHz probe, however when working on calves already 90-
120 kg and adult cattle, 2.0-3.5 MHz, convex or linear probes
must necessarily be used. These probes can be mounted on
portable, ultra-portable instruments or on trolley-mounted ul-
trasound units.
Results: Ultrasound examination of the lung is performed
to confirm whether a calf has a respiratory form, to define its
site and to establish the extent of the inflammatory process
and thus the prognosis. However, this can be used routine-
ly to monitor the nursery by analysing sentinel calves on a
weekly basis. This monitoring makes it possible to establish
the state of health of the nursery, which animals (of which age
group), if any, have problems. It makes it possible to establish
the efficiency of the staff also makes it possible to establish
whether a therapy and/or vaccination programe is giving the
expected result. The ultrasound examination of the teat is an
examination that should be used every time we have milking
disorders. The clinical examination, in particular the digito-dig-
ital palpation of the teat, often does not allow us to establish
either the type or the extent of the damage, which may affect
the papillary canal, Furstemberg’s rosette, the teat cistern, the
milk cistern or Furstemberg’s ring. The ultrasound examina-
tion of the umbilical region makes it possible to confirm and/or
make a clear clinical diagnosis of umbilical pathology. Umbil-

ical ultrasonography should always precede surgical therapy,
allowing, among other things, the anaesthesia to be adjusted
and the surgical strategy to be defined in order to obtain the
best results from surgical therapy.
Abdominal ultrasonography can be used for the diagno-
sis of various diseases including peritonitis (hardware disease
and abomasal ulcers), differentiation between mechanical
and paralytic ileus, pyelonephritis, liver abscesses and caudal
vena cava thrombosis among others. Abdominal ultrasonog-
raphy with a low-frequency probe (with deep penetration) is
particularly helpful to determine the extension of the lesions
but also to target the best spot where abdominocentesis can
be performed. In cows with colic, where the exact diagnosis is
uncertain, abdominal ultrasound helps in distinguishing medi-
cal vs mechanical causes of the ileus, therefore improving the
management of the case if early surgery should be performed.
Conclusions: Today, extra-genital ultrasound is within the
reach of all those who wish to approach bovine internal medi-
cine in a different way. It is a complementary examination and
therefore an examination that must always follow the classic
clinical examination and never precede it. Today this technique
is also absolutely affordable from an economical point of view:
for some examinations it is possible to use the same probe/in-
strument that is used in reproduction, while in other cases it is
necessary to purchase a low-frequency probe (2.0-3.5 MHz),
which can, however, be mounted on the same portable or ul-
tra-portable ultrasound unit that is used in reproduction.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
WORKSHOPS
NUTRITION AND BIOTECHNOLOGY WORKSHOP
W16
Milk fatty acids: The science behind it
Débora Santschi1, Daniel Warner1, Rachel Gervais2.
1
Lactanet, Canada; 2Université Laval, Canada.
Fat is the most variable component of milk. Its concen-
tration and its fatty acid (FA) profile vary according to several
factors including the animal (parity, lactation stage, breed), the
environment (season, management system) and nutrition (for-
age and grain type and proportion, amount, and composition
of dairy fat supplements). A typical dairy cow ration contains
five major fatty acids but due to the rumen metabolism and
lipogenesis from the mammary tissue, approximately 400 dif-
ferent FA can be found in milk, summing up to 92-95% of milk
fat. Although only a dozen of these FA is present in significant
proportions in milk, both major and minor milk FA can reveal
information about the rumen metabolism and overall health
of the dairy cow. Traditionally analyzed by gas chromatogra-
phy, a laborious and costly technique, advances in technology
over the last decade allow measuring major milk fatty acids
routinely and rapidly by mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy. This
technique offers the opportunity to monitor milk FA in bulk tank
or individual cow samples alongside and, thus, at the same
frequency as analyzing for major components (e.g., fat, pro-
tein, lactose, milk urea nitrogen, somatic cell counts). In six
seconds, it is possible to obtain the complete composition of
a milk sample, including the FA profile with the main groups of
FA. These include De novo FA (short chain FA synthesized in
the mammary gland from rumen precursors); Preformed FA
(Long chain FA derived from dietary FA transferred into milk
and FA mobilized from adipose tissue); and Mixed FA (Medi-
um chain FA from mixed origin). Bulk tank milk samples from
3,395 dairy herds on milk recording in Quebec, Canada are
currently routinely tested by MIR. Bulk tank milk samples (N =
1.85M) analyzed from April 2019 to June 2022 were used in
this analysis to evaluate the use of FA as a monitoring tool. On
a milk basis, each 0.1-percentage unit of increase in de novo
FA increased milk fat content by 0.201 unit (rcorr = 0.78) and
milk protein content by 0.117 unit (rcorr = 0.77); whereas each
0.1-unit increment in preformed FA increased milk fat by 0.099
unit (rcorr = 0.49) and had no impact on milk protein (rcorr = 0.05).
Individual or more minor groups of FA can also be predicted
from MIR, with variable levels of accuracy. In conclusion, rou-
tine monitoring of FA in individual cow milk or groups of cows
shows promising applications for herd management in terms
of better understanding rumen fermentation, body reserve dy-
namics and potential health issues, as well as applications for
niche markets and characteristics of specialty milks.
81
WORKSHOPS
W17
Milk fatty acids: Use and applications in Canadian dairy
farms
Débora Santschi1, Rachel Gervais2, Daniel Warner1.
Lactanet, Canada; 2Université Laval, Canada.
1
Milk fatty acids (FA) are related to feeding and farm man-
agement practices. They originate from either synthesis in the
mammary gland (de novo FA), feed intake or body fat mo-
bilization (preformed FA), or both sources (mixed FA). Rapid
analysis of bulk tank FA profiles through mid-infrared (MIR)
spectroscopy can present a valuable tool in dairy manage-
ment. Bulk tank milk samples from 3,395 dairy herds on milk
recording in Quebec, Canada are currently routinely tested by
MIR. Bulk tank FTIR milk FA profiles from 3,202 dairy herds in
Quebec, Canada, over 3 years (April 2019–June 2022; 1.85M
samples) were assembled in a national database (Lactanet,
Canada). Milk fat and protein were correlated with de novo
FA from bulk tank milk (rcorr = 0.77–0.78, on milk basis) and
to a lesser extent with preformed FA (rcorr = 0.49 and 0.05, re-
spectively). Seasonal cycles showed decreased de novo and
increased preformed FA during the summer months. When
comparing August monthly averages vs the ones from the pre-
vious April, Jersey herds had a less important drop in de novo
FA than Holstein herds (−0.7 and −1.3 g/100 g FA, respective-
ly. Across seasons, Jersey herds had higher de novo (+1.5
g/100 g FA) but lower preformed FA (−2.9 g/100 g FA) and an
overall greater milk fat content (+0.8%-units) as compared to
Holstein herds. A snapshot analysis was conducted with herd
averages for April 2019 for 2035 Holstein herds having high
de novo (HDN; mean ± SD of 27.9 ± 0.73 g/100 g FA) and low
de novo (LDN; 25.9 ± 1.14 g/100 g FA) levels. A mixed model
approach was used in R with Gaussian distribution for con-
tinuous variables, and with binomial distribution and log-link
function for variables with binary outcome, considering herd as
the random effect in the model. No differences between HDN
and LDN herds existed in herd size, days in milk, and whether
the herd was declared conventional or organic, but HDN herds
had higher odds (2.0; P ≤ 0.001) of having a positive Transition
Cow Index™, and lower odds (0.80; P = 0.023) of having a so-
matic cell count of 200 000 cells/mL or more on test day. HDN
herds had a 0.89 kg greater (P ≤ 0.001) milk yield per cow on
test day. Finally, a graphical and interactive tool was devel-
oped with the aim to visualize milk FA profiles with respective
benchmarks and historical data for each farm. A prototype was
developed in R, validated on farm, and deployed in production
via an IBM Cognos platform to generate interactive reports.
The bulk tank FA reports include benchmarks that allow com-
paring herds among their peers. To facilitate interpretation of
changes in the FA profile amidst the intrinsic variation of FA
analyzed by MIR, an automated anomaly detection system
based on a rule-based artificial intelligence approach has been
implemented within a python package. Long- and short-term
changes can be detected via the deviation and via the varia-
tion and gradient, respectively. A rule-based diagnostic system
has been further developed to help with the interpretation of
a detected anomaly in the FA profile by offering a potential
solution for a triggered alert. In addition, a prototype for milk
FA from individual cows has been developed that allows for a
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
82
more granular FA profile representation by parity and lactation
stage for all cows or groups of cows within a herd at test date.
W18
Practical use of DHI info about milk fatty acid profile:
Using that info into the field
Ramiro Antonio Fouz Ramiro.
USC, Spain.
Objectives: Expose the potential of milk fatty acids anal-
ysis from milk recording samples as a tool in decision making
on the farm.
Materials and methods: Of the more than four hundred
fatty acids that can be found in milk, only twenty of them are of
any interest due to their higher concentration. Its classification
is given by the length of the chain of carbon atoms or by its
degree of saturation, although the classification that provides
the greatest practical application in farm management is the
one based on where the different fatty acids are synthesized.
DeNovo: those that are synthesized in the mammary gland
(≤C14:0), mainly from acetate.
Mixed: they are synthesized both in the mammary gland
and from dietary fat (C16:0, C16:1).
Preformed: come from dietary fat and mobilization of body
fat, when the cow loses weight (C15:0, C17:0, ≥C18:0).
Official milk recording is a photo that is taken monthly of
the herd, which allows you to see its evolution over time, with
the added advantage of being able to compare it with other
herds, which use the same measurement and analysis sys-
tem. With all its limitations inherent to its periodicity, it is a very
useful tool for the farmer to have a systematic and reliable
control of how his herd is working.
Since the beginning of this year, fatty acid analyzes is avail-
able in individual cow samples from milk recording samples.
Results: These analyzes have been put into production,
incorporating them into the monthly milk recording reports to
have a new diagnostic tool in dairy cattle herds. The farmer
and the technicians who work on his farm can download both
the cow-by-cow values ​​and the calculated index as herd aver-
ages and by production groups.
Conclusions: It is not a new analytic, since it has been im-
plemented for years, but the work of various researchers has
given a boost to its use as a control tool in livestock, especially
with regard to ruminal health and energetic balance.
Its correlation with methane is also valued, since it is
important that the farmer becomes aware as a producer of
greenhouse gases, especially when the regulations that limit
emissions go faster than the farmer’s own awareness, with
lack of knowledge about control and reduction measures.
Our experience is based on Holstein cattle (98% of the
cows that are milked), although the breed has a strong influ-
ence on the milk fatty acid profile when extrapolating results.
In milk recording samples, possible deviations in samples
 WORKSHOPS

taken poorly, non-representative, with excess/lack of fat, which BIOTECHNOLOGY WORKSHOP

affect the analysis of fatty acids, must be taken into account.
It is essential to have a good backup laboratory, in order to W19
carry out the necessary calibrations, since the maintenance of
the equipment influences the quality of the data. In vivo and in vitro production of embryos: competing or
The different variation factors that affect the production of complementary techniques?
fatty acids must be considered, such as the number of calv- Gabriel Bo1, Pietro Baruselli2.
ings, days in milk, seasonality, the number of milkings, etc.
when interpreting the results.
1
IRAC, Argentina; 2USP, Brazil.

Commercial bovine embryo transfer began in North Amer-

ica in the early 1970s, but soon extended to several coun-
tries around the world, including in South America. Although
North America has consistently accounted for more than 50%
of in vivo-derived (IVD) embryos, South America became the
center for in vitro embryo production (IVP) beginning in 2002.
Between 2002 and 2012, IVP increased more than 600% in
Brazil, and in 2016 represented more than 57% of the world’s
IVP embryos. However, IVP has also increased rapidly in
North America, and by 2017, numbers were similar between
North and South America. It is noteworthy that on a world-wide
basis, the number of IVP bovine embryos now exceeds the
numbers of IVD embryos.
The objective of ovarian superstimulatory treatments in
cattle is to stimulate the growth of the maximum number of
antral follicles that will produce competent oocytes. For in vi-
tro embryo production (IVP), the necessity of superstimulation
with gonadotropins prior to ovum pick-up (OPU) is still under
discussion, and the approach may differ depending on wheth-
er the donors are of Bos taurus or Bos indicus breeding.
Besides the requirements for FSH treatments, some other
advantages of using in vitro embryo production (IVP) vs multi-
ple ovulation and in vivo embryo transfer (MOET) are the fol-
lowing: 1) frequency of collections: every 2-3 weeks for IVP vs
every 35-60 days for MOET, 2) IVP can be performed in preg-
nant (up to 3 months) and prepubertal donors (2 to 8 months),
3) a reduction in the semen required for embryo production
(1-2 straws can fertilize up to 100 oocytes vs a minimum of 2
straws per donor superovulated).
Although IVP results are improving throughout the world,
some of the disadvantages of IVP vs MOET are the following:
1) high investment is required for IVP, the cow is the incubator
to produce in vivo embryos, 2) IVP needs high numbers to pay
the fixed costs vs relatively low fixed costs are required for
MOET, 3), there are still lower pregnancy rates with IVP than
with MOET embryos (35-45% for IVP vs 50-60% for MOET
embryos transferred fresh, 30-35% for IVP vs 45-50% for
MOET cryopreserved embryos), 4) more embryo/fetal losses
with IVP (5-20% for IPV vs 5-10% for MOET between 30 and
60 days, 5-20% for IVP vs 3-5% for MOET between 60 days
and calving). The objective of this workshop is to objectively
discuss the pros and cons of both technologies and to propose
alternatives by which the two embryo production technologies
can be complementary in some programs.

31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID

83
WORKSHOPS
W20
In vivo and in vitro production of embryos: competing or
complementary techniques?
Pietro Baruselli Sampaio1, Gabriel Bo2.
USP; 2IRAC, Argentina.
1
Commercial bovine embryo transfer began in North Amer-
ica in the early 1970s, but soon extended to several coun-
tries around the world, including in South America. Although
North America has consistently accounted for more than 50%
of in vivo-derived (IVD) embryos, South America became the
center for in vitro embryo production (IVP) beginning in 2002.
Between 2002 and 2012, IVP increased more than 600% in
Brazil, and in 2016 represented more than 57% of the world’s
IVP embryos. However, IVP has also increased rapidly in
North America, and by 2017, numbers were similar between
North and South America. It is noteworthy that on a world-wide
basis, the number of IVP bovine embryos now exceeds the
numbers of IVD embryos.
The objective of ovarian superstimulatory treatments in
cattle is to stimulate the growth of the maximum number of
antral follicles that will produce competent oocytes. For in vi-
tro embryo production (IVP), the necessity of superstimulation
with gonadotropins prior to ovum pick-up (OPU) is still under
discussion, and the approach may differ depending on wheth-
er the donors are of Bos taurus or Bos indicus breeding.
Besides the requirements for FSH treatments, some other
advantages of using in vitro embryo production (IVP) vs multi-
ple ovulation and in vivo embryo transfer (MOET) are the fol-
lowing: 1) frequency of collections: every 2-3 weeks for IVP vs
every 35-60 days for MOET, 2) IVP can be performed in preg-
nant (up to 3 months) and prepubertal donors (2 to 8 months),
3) a reduction in the semen required for embryo production
(1-2 straws can fertilize up to 100 oocytes vs a minimum of 2
straws per donor superovulated).
Although IVP results are improving throughout the world,
some of the disadvantages of IVP vs MOET are the following:
1) high investment is required for IVP, the cow is the incubator
to produce in vivo embryos, 2) IVP needs high numbers to pay
the fixed costs vs relatively low fixed costs are required for
MOET, 3), there are still lower pregnancy rates with IVP than
with MOET embryos (35-45% for IVP vs 50-60% for MOET
embryos transferred fresh, 30-35% for IVP vs 45-50% for
MOET cryopreserved embryos), 4) more embryo/fetal losses
with IVP (5-20% for IPV vs 5-10% for MOET between 30 and
60 days, 5-20% for IVP vs 3-5% for MOET between 60 days
and calving). The objective of this workshop is to objectively
discuss the pros and cons of both technologies and to propose
alternatives by which the two embryo production technologies
can be complementary in some programs.
ANIMAL HEALTH WORKSHOP: Managing dairy calf
health: New insights and back to the basics.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
84
W21
Managing dairy calf health: new insights into the basics of
calf management
David Renaud1, Chris Chase2.
University of Guelph, Canada; 2South Dakota State University, USA.
1
The level of morbidity and mortality in the perinatal and
preweaning period remain high in dairy calves. To reduce the
impact of disease on dairy farms and calf raising facilities, a
well thought out calf management program is critical; however,
when building a program, it is important to consider economic
considerations as well as time constraints to ensure  uptake
of recommendations. The prepartum period before the calf is
born is the place to start as the nutrition provided to dry cow’s
influences colostrum quality and quantity as well as the size
of the calf born. In addition, managing heat stress in dry cows
can not only reduce transition disease but also improve sur-
vivability of calves. Following that, the perinatal period (birth
to 24 hours of age) is likely the most essential period to miti-
gate disease. Ensuring that timely and appropriate calving in-
terventions are provided will substantially reduce the level of
mortality seen during this period. In addition, ensuring timely
provision of high-quality colostrum soon after calving as well
as an additional meal within 12 hours of birth will maximize
the chance the not only excellent levels of passive immuni-
ty are reached but will ensure the proper development of the
structure and microbial community of the gastrointestinal tract.
Beyond the first 24 hours of life, how calves are managed in
the first 60 days of life will have a great influence on their fu-
ture productivity. Mitigating disease, such as diarrhea and re-
spiratory disease, is also critical to maximize productivity and
improve the welfare of calves. This can be achieved through
transition milk feeding, free choice supplemental water, man-
aging the environment, and implementing a strategic vacci-
nation strategy. In addition, a high plane of milk nutrition (> 8
L of milk per day) in combination with a step-down weaning
program is critical to not only reduce disease but take advan-
tage of the high level of efficient growth that can be achieved
during this period. By going back to the basics with producers
and focusing on delivering information that can be practically
implemented substantial improvement in calf health and pro-
ductivity can be seen.
 WORKSHOPS

EPIDEMIOLOGY WORKSHOP vary from use of cow records (SCC records, clinical mastitis
history, etc), culture results, cow-side diagnostic test results
W22 (California Mastitis Test, milk leukocyte differential count, etc),
or a combination of them.
Workshop in strategies and guidelines for the selective The current epidemiology of mastitis in addition to the
treatment of clinical mastitis and at dry-off availability of new technologies make SDCT a logical step to
Alfonso Lago. reduce antibiotic use in dairy cows. The most recent clinical
trials show that either culture or data based SDCT programs
DairyExperts, USA. can be implemented successfully. Antibiotic use was reduced
by more than half without any negative effects on health and
Clinical mastitis in dairy cattle has significant ramifications productivity. Therefore, it represents an additional opportunity
including adverse effects on cow health and welfare, financial to improve antibiotic stewardship on farms.
losses to dairy farmers and public health concerns because of At the workshop it will be discussed the efficacy of different
the extensive use of antibiotics for treatment. Therefore, there selective treatment strategies of clinical mastitis and at dry-
is a need to implement effective management strategies that off, tools to identify the cows to treat, opportunities to optimize
also allow for judicious use of antibiotics. Not all clinical mas- cure, and economics of different management approaches.
titis cases benefit from antibiotic therapy; some cases may Finally, practical guidelines for the implementation of selective
benefit from different treatment strategies to optimize cure treatment programs will be provided.
(e.g. short vs. long duration) while chronic or otherwise nonre-
sponsive cases may be best managed through other means
(e.g. dry off the quarter, segregate or cull the cow). The type
of agent causing mastitis may be a major determinant of the
treatment or management strategy selected. Thus, knowledge
of the etiology of each case of clinical mastitis before making
a treatment decision could assist in selecting cases that will
be treated with antibiotics and to determine the appropriate
duration of therapy. However, this requires rapid and accurate
diagnosis of the etiology of mastitis.
Etiology based treatment decisions for the selective treat-
ment of clinical mastitis represent a tremendous opportunity to
reduce antibiotic use on commercial dairy farms by more than
50% for the treatment of mild and moderate clinical mastitis
cases without sacrificing the efficacy of treatment or the long-
term health and production potential of the cow. Consequent-
ly, dairy herds could incur considerable savings on treatment
related costs (e.g. discarded milk, drugs and labor), especially
if extended treatment durations are implemented. Additional
benefits could include reduced risk of antibiotic residues in
milk, and a reduction in the potential risk for development of
antibiotic resistance in mastitis pathogens. Furthermore, dif-
ferential treatment (adequate antibiotic selection or treatment
duration depending on etiology) could improve treatment effi-
cacy.
Selective dry cow therapy (SDCT) refers to the treatment
with long-acting antimicrobials of only cows or quarters iden-
tified with or at risk of having an intramammary infection at
dry-off, or at risk of acquiring one during the dry period. Con-
versely, blanket dry cow therapy (BDCT) is the treatment of
every quarter of every cow at dry off. BDCT has been widely
adopted in the last decades and led to an important success in
the reduction of contagious mastitis. However, recent studies
report a low prevalence of intramammary infections at dry-off
in many herds. This, in addition to the recent introduction of
rapid on-farm diagnostic tests, and the availability of teat seal-
ants, may allow to develop successful SDCT strategies. Bulk
tank SCC, as well as intramammary infection prevalence and
etiology at dry off have been used to select herds benefiting
from SDCT. Thereafter, the accurate identification of cows or
quarters benefiting from antimicrobial treatment is the corner-
stone for the implementation of SDCT. Strategies followed

31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID

85
WORKSHOPS

SURGERY WORKSHOP of minimal soft tissue covering (e.g. medial aspect of tibia and
radius, greater trochanter of femur, greater tubercle of humer-
W23 us, etc). Each joint should be palpated separately and com-
plete flexion, extension, abduction and adduction of the limb
What is your diagnosis on lameness? performed. Isolation of the shoulder and elbow or of the stifle
and tarsus are difficult when flexion or extension movements
André Desrochers, Sylvain Nichols.
are performed because these joints are united by muscle ten-
Université de Montréal, Canada. don units.
Usage of appropriate diagnostic tools
It has been well known that the feet are at the origin of Once the affected area is located, it is often necessary
most lameness in cattle. Unless there is an obvious visual to use diagnostic tools to rule out diseases, help to establish
cause to explain the lameness and feet have been checked, appropriate treatment and prognosis. Nowadays many diag-
the affected animal is often treated empirically with antibiotics nostic tests are available but we will describe those that are
and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). A basic readily available and affordable. Arthrocentesis and subse-
knowledge of the most common conditions and their prognosis quent cytological and bacteriological analyses of the synovial
might preclude the unnecessary administration of drugs avoid- fluid are the complementary tests of choice for the diagnosis
ing the risk of residue. Moreover, a more precise diagnosis will and the management of any joint disease. It is simple and cost
help the veterinarian and the owner to make the best medi- effective. A portable x-ray machine will allow you to examine
cal decision. In this workshop, we will present and discuss 6 everything from the feet up to the elbow and a portion of the
clinical cases. Emphasis will be on locating the origin of the stifle depending of the size of the animal. In adult cattle, a
lameness, use the appropriate diagnostic tools to give an ac- more powerful machine in a referral center is necessary to
curate prognosis to the owner. To help the discussion during evaluate the hip and shoulder joint. Most common diseases
the workshop, we present in this abstract some basis of the that are evaluated with the xray are : fracture, septic arthritis,
physical examination for a thorough lameness exam. sequestrum and osteochondrosis. Soft tissues are better eval-
LAMENESS EXAMINATION uated with ultrasound examination.
There are 4 steps in the determination of the cause of
lameness: locomotion or mobility scoring, hands on exam-
ination, establish a differential according to the location of the
problem, usage of appropriate diagnostic tools.
Locomotion or mobility scoring
Locomotion scoring is an important objective in assessing
lameness. It helps to orient the veterinarian toward the most
likely cause and can be used to evaluate improvement after
treatment. Cattle lameness is generally obvious by observ-
ing the cow’s stance. Attention should be paid to the posture
of the cow, including the back, shoulders, pelvis, and major
limb joints. With the animal standing, the general stance is ob-
served first and more specifically each limb and digit. Compare
one region to the opposite side and determine if obvious swell-
ing, wounds, shifting of weight, and foot posture such as toe
touching or displacement of weight bearing on the medial or
lateral claw are present. In long standing diseases with severe
lameness, the heels are taller and the wall longer on the af-
fected claw compared with that of the healthy claw. A dropped
fetlock may be noticed on the sound limb because of exces-
sive load on the flexor tendons and suspensory ligaments. In
young animals, angular limb deformities secondary to uneven
weight bearing occurs rapidly with chronic lameness. Differen-
tial diagnoses for non-weight bearing lameness include sole
abscess, fracture, major joint luxation, critical weight bearing
ligament or tendon injury, critical nerve injury,septic arthritis,
septic tenosynovitis. 
Examination of the affected limb
Unless an obvious lesion is apparent, we start by palpa-
tion of the limb from the digit working up the leg. The clinician
should watch for a pain reaction and determine if swelling,
deformation, crepitation, warmth, and wounds are present. A
hoof tester is used to evaluate pain of the claw. Examination of
long bones is performed by applying firm pressure in regions

31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID

86

APPLICATION OF SYSTEMS THINKING DISCIPLINE
IN BEEF CATTLE VETERINARY MEDICINE
W24
Application of System Thinking Discipline in Cattle
Veterinary Medicine
Dale Grotelueschen1, John Groves2, Brian Vander Ley3, William
Prokop4.
1
Professor Emeritus, University of Nebraska; 2Livestock Veterinary
Services, USA; 3University of Nebraska-Lincoln, USA; 4Dairy
Innovations, LLC, USA.
Objectives: Many veterinary practitioners and consul-
tants play critical and indispensable roles in the management
and decision-making processes of large, complex production
structures. The discipline of systems thinking offers opportuni-
ty and methodology to understand the interrelated forces that
impact complex systems over time in ways that help to identify
innovative and high-leverage solutions. It is the objective of
this workshop to provide an introduction to the key concepts
and principal methodologies of systems thinking by sharing
examples of its application in an array of professional activities
associated with cattle veterinary medicine.
Materials and methods: The historical context of systems
thinking and its suitability for application in cattle veterinary
medicine will be presented. The faculty will present applica-
tions in professional activities related to beef practice/consul-
tation, dairy practice/consultation, and academia.
Key Concepts to be highlighted in the examples include:
• The Iceberg Framework is a tool used in systems think-
ing that helps accurately define and deeply understand
the problem being investigated.
• Mental Models are instinctive theories we have about
how the world works. They are driven primarily by our
past experiences and how we have learned to solve
problems before. The Systems Thinking discipline pro-
vides the framework to break out of the models that
hinder your ability to innovate.
• Causal loop diagrams consist of balancing loops, rein-
forcing loops, vicious cycles, virtuous cycles, and sys-
tem delays provide the “language” of Systems Think-
ing. The relationship between language and thought
processes can’t be underestimated. Most western lan-
guages are linear in nature, which tends to drive lin-
ear thinking and linear problem solving. A fundamental
principle of Systems Thinking is that parts of a system
are related in non-linear ways and are interconnected
in circular associations and feedback loops.
• Creative tension is a systems thinking principle and
is contingent upon creating both personal and shared
vision regarding the desired state or output of a com-
plex adaptive system. Systems Thinking is also rooted
in personal mastery that is based on a commitment to
the truth about the reality of the current state or out-
put of the system. The difference between the current
state and the desired state produces disequilibrium
that drives the creative tension in the system. Without
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
WORKSHOPS
a vision, there is no real motivation to change. Without
a clear understanding of where we are, we have no
basis for effective action. To reach equilibrium, complex
adaptive systems must resolve this tension.
• System homeostasis refers to the principle that the
complex systems we work with have developed and
evolved over a long time period and are very adept
at maintaining their baseline function. Complex sys-
tems produce results they are designed to produce,
but those results may not be what we were hoping for.
Often when we try to change or modify how a system
works, the system will “push back” and return to ho-
meostasis. Systems tend to push back by producing
unintended consequences to our interventions. Un-
derstanding these unintended consequences is a big
part of becoming an effective systems thinker. High
leverage interventions made to a system produce the
largest desirable change while producing the fewest
unintended consequences.
Conclusions: One of the main outcomes of this workshop
is to help give insight into fundamental principles of systems, in
order to more directly show that systems are capable of driving
their own behavior. Even when all players in a system behave
in rational and scientifically based ways, the system still exerts
forces of which most of us are unaware. Deep understanding
of these forces lies in understanding the nature and structure
of interrelationships between variables in the system, not just
a deep understanding of the variables. Another outcome is
to open a dialogue regarding a long-term vision to be shared
among system stakeholders. Within the discipline of systems
thinking, creative tension can be generated as a tool to move
toward change. In order to have creative tension or pressure
to change, we need to establish a shared vision that is based
on the current reality of where we are at today and a clear idea
of what we wish to achieve.
W25
Application of System Thinking Discipline in Cattle
Veterinary Medicine
John Groves1, Dale Grotelueschen2, Brian Vander Ley2, William
Prokop3.
Livestock Veterinary Service, USA; 2University of Nebraska- Lincoln,
1
USA; 3Dairy Innovations LLC, USA.
Objectives: Many veterinary practitioners and consul-
tants play critical and indispensable roles in the management
and decision-making processes of large, complex production
structures. The discipline of systems thinking offers opportuni-
ty and methodology to understand the interrelated forces that
impact complex systems over time in ways that help to identify
innovative and high-leverage solutions. It is the objective of
this workshop to provide an introduction to the key concepts
and principal methodologies of systems thinking by sharing
examples of its application in an array of professional activities
associated with cattle veterinary medicine.
87
WORKSHOPS
Materials and methods: The historical context of systems
thinking and its suitability for application in cattle veterinary
medicine will be presented. The faculty will present applica-
tions in professional activities related to beef practice/consul-
tation, dairy practice/consultation, and academia.
Key Concepts to be highlighted in the examples include:
• The Iceberg Framework is a tool used in systems think-
ing that helps accurately define and deeply understand
the problem being investigated.
• Mental Models are instinctive theories we have about
how the world works. They are driven primarily by our
past experiences and how we have learned to solve
problems before. The Systems Thinking discipline pro-
vides the framework to break out of the models that
hinder your ability to innovate.
• Causal loop diagrams consist of balancing loops, rein-
forcing loops, vicious cycles, virtuous cycles, and sys-
tem delays provide the “language” of Systems Think-
ing. The relationship between language and thought
processes can’t be underestimated. Most western lan-
guages are linear in nature, which tends to drive lin-
ear thinking and linear problem solving. A fundamental
principle of Systems Thinking is that parts of a system
are related in non-linear ways and are interconnected
in circular associations and feedback loops.
• Creative tension is a systems thinking principle and
is contingent upon creating both personal and shared
vision regarding the desired state or output of a com-
plex adaptive system. Systems Thinking is also rooted
in personal mastery that is based on a commitment to
the truth about the reality of the current state or out-
put of the system. The difference between the current
state and the desired state produces disequilibrium
that drives the creative tension in the system. Without
a vision, there is no real motivation to change. Without
a clear understanding of where we are, we have no
basis for effective action. To reach equilibrium, complex
adaptive systems must resolve this tension.
• System homeostasis refers to the principle that the
complex systems we work with have developed and
evolved over a long time period and are very adept
at maintaining their baseline function. Complex sys-
tems produce results they are designed to produce,
but those results may not be what we were hoping for.
Often when we try to change or modify how a system
works, the system will “push back” and return to ho-
meostasis. Systems tend to push back by producing
unintended consequences to our interventions. Un-
derstanding these unintended consequences is a big
part of becoming an effective systems thinker. High
leverage interventions made to a system produce the
largest desirable change while producing the fewest
unintended consequences.
Conclusions: One of the main outcomes of this workshop
is to help give insight into fundamental principles of systems, in
order to more directly show that systems are capable of driving
their own behavior. Even when all players in a system behave
in rational and scientifically based ways, the system still exerts
forces of which most of us are unaware. Deep understanding
of these forces lies in understanding the nature and structure
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
88
of interrelationships between variables in the system, not just
a deep understanding of the variables. Another outcome is
to open a dialogue regarding a long-term vision to be shared
among system stakeholders. Within the discipline of systems
thinking, creative tension can be generated as a tool to move
toward change. In order to have creative tension or pressure
to change, we need to establish a shared vision that is based
on the current reality of where we are at today and a clear idea
of what we wish to achieve.
W26
Application of System Thinking Discipline in Cattle
Veterinary Medicine
William Prokop, John Groves, Dale Grotelueschen, Brian Vander
Ley.
Dairy Innovations LCC /Arm and Hammer Inc, USA.
Objectives: Many veterinary practitioners and consul-
tants play critical and indispensable roles in the management
and decision-making processes of large, complex production
structures. The discipline of systems thinking offers opportuni-
ty and methodology to understand the interrelated forces that
impact complex systems over time in ways that help to identify
innovative and high-leverage solutions. It is the objective of
this workshop to provide an introduction to the key concepts
and principal methodologies of systems thinking by sharing
examples of its application in an array of professional activities
associated with cattle veterinary medicine.
Materials and methods: The historical context of systems
thinking and its suitability for application in cattle veterinary
medicine will be presented. The faculty will present applica-
tions in professional activities related to beef practice/consul-
tation, dairy practice/consultation, and academia.
Key Concepts to be highlighted in the examples include:
• The Iceberg Framework is a tool used in systems think-
ing that helps accurately define and deeply understand
the problem being investigated.
• Mental Models are instinctive theories we have about
how the world works. They are driven primarily by our
past experiences and how we have learned to solve
problems before. The Systems Thinking discipline pro-
vides the framework to break out of the models that
hinder your ability to innovate.
• Causal loop diagrams consist of balancing loops, rein-
forcing loops, vicious cycles, virtuous cycles, and sys-
tem delays provide the “language” of Systems Think-
ing. The relationship between language and thought
processes can’t be underestimated. Most western lan-
guages are linear in nature, which tends to drive lin-
ear thinking and linear problem solving. A fundamental
principle of Systems Thinking is that parts of a system
are related in non-linear ways and are interconnected
in circular associations and feedback loops.
• Creative tension is a systems thinking principle and

is contingent upon creating both personal and shared
vision regarding the desired state or output of a com-
plex adaptive system. Systems Thinking is also rooted
in personal mastery that is based on a commitment to
the truth about the reality of the current state or out-
put of the system. The difference between the current
state and the desired state produces disequilibrium
that drives the creative tension in the system. Without
a vision, there is no real motivation to change. Without
a clear understanding of where we are, we have no
basis for effective action. To reach equilibrium, complex
adaptive systems must resolve this tension.
• System homeostasis refers to the principle that the
complex systems we work with have developed and
evolved over a long time period and are very adept
at maintaining their baseline function. Complex sys-
tems produce results they are designed to produce,
but those results may not be what we were hoping for.
Often when we try to change or modify how a system
works, the system will “push back” and return to ho-
meostasis. Systems tend to push back by producing
unintended consequences to our interventions. Un-
derstanding these unintended consequences is a big
part of becoming an effective systems thinker. High
leverage interventions made to a system produce the
largest desirable change while producing the fewest
unintended consequences.
Conclusions: One of the main outcomes of this workshop
is to help give insight into fundamental principles of systems, in
order to more directly show that systems are capable of driving
their own behavior. Even when all players in a system behave
in rational and scientifically based ways, the system still exerts
forces of which most of us are unaware. Deep understanding
of these forces lies in understanding the nature and structure
of interrelationships between variables in the system, not just
a deep understanding of the variables. Another outcome is
to open a dialogue regarding a long-term vision to be shared
among system stakeholders. Within the discipline of systems
thinking, creative tension can be generated as a tool to move
toward change. In order to have creative tension or pressure
to change, we need to establish a shared vision that is based
on the current reality of where we are at today and a clear idea
of what we wish to achieve.
W27
Application of System Thinking Discipline in Cattle
Veterinary Medicine
Brian Vander Ley1, Dale Grotelueschen2, John Groves3, William
Prokop4.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln Great Plains Veterinary Educational
1
Center, USA; 2University of Nebraska-Lincoln, USA; 3Livestock
Veterinary Service; 4Dairy Innovations, LLC, USA.
Objectives: Many veterinary practitioners and consul-
tants play critical and indispensable roles in the management
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
WORKSHOPS
and decision-making processes of large, complex production
structures. The discipline of systems thinking offers opportuni-
ty and methodology to understand the interrelated forces that
impact complex systems over time in ways that help to identify
innovative and high-leverage solutions. It is the objective of
this workshop to provide an introduction to the key concepts
and principal methodologies of systems thinking by sharing
examples of its application in an array of professional activities
associated with cattle veterinary medicine.
Materials and methods: The historical context of systems
thinking and its suitability for application in cattle veterinary
medicine will be presented. The faculty will present applica-
tions in professional activities related to beef practice/consul-
tation, dairy practice/consultation, and academia.
Key Concepts to be highlighted in the examples include:
• The Iceberg Framework is a tool used in systems think-
ing that helps accurately define and deeply understand
the problem being investigated.
• Mental Models are instinctive theories we have about
how the world works. They are driven primarily by our
past experiences and how we have learned to solve
problems before. The Systems Thinking discipline pro-
vides the framework to break out of the models that
hinder your ability to innovate.
• Causal loop diagrams consist of balancing loops, rein-
forcing loops, vicious cycles, virtuous cycles, and sys-
tem delays provide the “language” of Systems Think-
ing. The relationship between language and thought
processes can’t be underestimated. Most western lan-
guages are linear in nature, which tends to drive lin-
ear thinking and linear problem solving. A fundamental
principle of Systems Thinking is that parts of a system
are related in non-linear ways and are interconnected
in circular associations and feedback loops.
• Creative tension is a systems thinking principle and
is contingent upon creating both personal and shared
vision regarding the desired state or output of a com-
plex adaptive system. Systems Thinking is also rooted
in personal mastery that is based on a commitment to
the truth about the reality of the current state or out-
put of the system. The difference between the current
state and the desired state produces disequilibrium
that drives the creative tension in the system. Without
a vision, there is no real motivation to change. Without
a clear understanding of where we are, we have no
basis for effective action. To reach equilibrium, complex
adaptive systems must resolve this tension.
• System homeostasis refers to the principle that the
complex systems we work with have developed and
evolved over a long time period and are very adept
at maintaining their baseline function. Complex sys-
tems produce results they are designed to produce,
but those results may not be what we were hoping for.
Often when we try to change or modify how a system
works, the system will “push back” and return to ho-
meostasis. Systems tend to push back by producing
unintended consequences to our interventions. Un-
derstanding these unintended consequences is a big
part of becoming an effective systems thinker. High
leverage interventions made to a system produce the
89
WORKSHOPS

largest desirable change while producing the fewest

unintended consequences.
Conclusions: One of the main outcomes of this workshop
is to help give insight into fundamental principles of systems, in
order to more directly show that systems are capable of driving
their own behavior. Even when all players in a system behave
in rational and scientifically based ways, the system still exerts
forces of which most of us are unaware. Deep understanding
of these forces lies in understanding the nature and structure
of interrelationships between variables in the system, not just
a deep understanding of the variables. Another outcome is
to open a dialogue regarding a long-term vision to be shared
among system stakeholders. Within the discipline of systems
thinking, creative tension can be generated as a tool to move
toward change. In order to have creative tension or pressure
to change, we need to establish a shared vision that is based
on the current reality of where we are at today and a clear idea
of what we wish to achieve.
ORAL PRESENTATIONS

Animal Health (AH)

Buffaloes and Camelids (BC)

Biotechnology (BT)

Cattle Welfare (CW)

Diagnostic Imaging (DI)

Epidemiology (EP)

Feedlot (FE)

Genetics and Breeding (GB)

Herd Health Management, Smart Farming and Economics (HH)

Infectious Diseases (ID)

Internal Medicine and Toxicology (IM)

Immunology and Vaccinology (IV)

Lameness (LA)

Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases (NU)

Parasitism (PA)

Public Health, Food Safety and Antimicrobial Resistance (PH)

Pharmacology and Therapeutics (PT)

Reproduction in Beef Cattle (RB)

Reproduction in Dairy Cattle (RD)

Sustainable Cattle Productive Systems (SP)

Small Ruminants (SR)

Surgery (SU)

Teaching and Continuing Education (TE)

Udder Health and Mastitis (UH)


AH-01
An outbreak of Neospora caninum abortion in a dairy herd
from the State of Georgia, United States
Pedro Melendez1, Marcia Ilha1, Moges Woldemeskel1, Justin
Graham2, Michelle Coarsey1, Debi Boughman1, Lisa Whittington1,
Hemant Naikare1.
University of Georgia, TVDIL, Tifton, GA, United States; 2Brooksco
1
Dairy, Qutiman, GA, United States.
Neospora caninum is a protozoan parasite from the phy-
lum Apicomplexa affecting several animals’ species, including
canines, cattle, sheep, goats, deer, raccoons and rodents.
Neosporosis has emerged as a serious disease of cattle and
dogs worldwide. In cattle produces abortion; consequently,
the main economic effect of neosporosis in cattle is its neg-
ative impact on fertility and milk yield. The objective of this
study case was to report an abortion storm in a dairy farm
from Georgia, USA. The outbreak consisted of 92 abortions
(5.45% of pregnant cows) that occurred in a period of 3 weeks
(May 19 to June 05, 2019) in Holstein cows that were between
3 to 7 months of gestation. Two subset of samples (aborted
fetuses’ organs, placental tissues, aborted cows blood) were
submitted to the Tifton Veterinary Diagnostic and Investiga-
tional Laboratory, University of Georgia (Tifton, GA, USA). An
abortion panel was conducted in several of the samples. Major
abortion-causing agents (e.g. BVD, IBR, Brucellosis, Lepto-
spirosis) were negative by culture, serology and PCR; how-
ever, 2 out 3 submitted fresh aborted fetuses were positive to
Neospora caninum by PCR and immunohistochemistry, and
the 3 dams were positive serologically to the same pathogen.
The entire herd was being fed a grass silage harvested from a
pasture where previously feral pigs were hunted and carcass-
es were left behind. As a consequence of this action a large
population of wild coyotes were attracted, which could have
contaminated the pasture with potential N. caninum-infected
feces. After the abortion outbreak was resolved it was recom-
mended that the farmers not leave cadavers of hunted ani-
mals, which may serve as food for coyotes or other carnivores
and predators that may potentially spread diseases to cattle.
Keywords: Neospora caninum, abortion, cattle, outbreak.
AH-02
Development of a novel multiplex immunoassay for
enhanced disease surveillance in dairy cows using biochip
array technology
S. Gildea1, C. Richardson1, R.I. McConnell2, S.P. Fitzgerald2.
1
Randox Teoranta, Dungloe, Republic of Ireland; Randox Laboratories
2
Ltd., Crumlin, United Kingdom.
Objectives: Infectious disease represents one of the big-
gest problems facing dairy producers today. This is largely due
to the high economic costs associated with disease outbreaks.
A prompt and accurate diagnosis is important to minimise the
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Animal Health
risk of disease spread and also for determining appropriate
treatment. Conventional Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent As-
says (ELISAs), limited to measuring only one analyte, are the
diagnostic tools routinely employed for determining antibody
status using bovine milk. Samples requiring analysis howev-
er, may be collected from cattle that have been exposed to
several pathogens. As a result, the same sample may require
testing using multiple ELISAs in order to obtain an accurate
diagnosis and not overlook the potential occurrence of co-in-
fection. This is labour intensive in a laboratory and costly for
a milk producer. Biochip Array Technology (BAT), by using a
multi-analytical approach, consolidates the testing process.
This study reports the Bovine Pathogen Array (BPA), based
on BAT, the first multiplex immunoassay capable of simulta-
neously detecting antibodies against some of the world’s most
economically important bovine pathogens; bovine viral diar-
rhea virus (BVDV), bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1), Mycobac-
terium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP), Leptospira,
Neospora caninum and Fasciola hepatica from a single milk
sample.
Materials and Methods: Simultaneous chemiluminescent
immunoassays, defining discrete test regions on the biochip
surface, were employed and applied to the Evidence Investi-
gator analyser. Sample classification was determined against
a multi-analyte positive control, results are qualitative. Test
accuracy was examined using 349 milk samples collected
from various European dairy herds and results compared to
those obtained using conventional ELISAs. With the exception
of MAP, where only 24 positive milk samples were available,
25 positive and 25 negative samples for antibodies against
each pathogen were included. For BoHV-1, antibodies against
both glycoprotein B (gB) and glycoprotein E (gE) were mea-
sured. Repeatability and total precision were determined using
multiple BPA reagent batches and antibody specificity against
respective BPA panel antigens was also examined. For the
World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) listed diseases
BVDV, BoHV-1 and MAP, limit of detection was established
and results compared to current test methods. No milk sample
pre-treatment was required prior to testing.
Results: All simultaneous immunoassays were target spe-
cific and presented repeatability and total precision <15%. The
BPA demonstrated 100% agreement in sample classification
for antibodies against BVDV, BoHV-1 gB, BoHV-1 gE, Lep-
tospira, Neospora caninum and Fasciola hepatica and 98%
agreement in sample classification for antibodies against MAP
when compared to commercial ELISAs. The BPA demon-
strated superior limit of detection test capabilities for antibody
detection against BVDV and equivalent limit of detection per-
formance for antibody detection against BoHV-1 gB, BoHV-
gE and MAP compared to ELISA. Time to result for all six
pathogens using BPA was similar to that obtained for only one
pathogen using current available test methods.
Conclusion: The BPA simultaneously detects antibodies
against six economically important infectious diseases and
offers great potential as a diagnostic and surveillance tool
at herd level. The inclusion of multiple antigens for selected
pathogens increases disease screening capabilities and en-
ables Differentiating Infected from Vaccinated Animals (DIVA)
against BoHV-1 when used in conjunction with selected vac-
cines. The availability of the BPA on BAT also delivers signif-
icant advantage when screening large numbers of samples
93
ORAL — Animal Health
during epidemiological studies thus, safeguarding livestock
against disease spread and ensuring continued financial vi-
ability for food producers and the agri-food sector as a whole.
Keywords: Multiplex immunoassay, Biochip array, Bovine
pathogen, Milk.
AH-03
New species-specific turbidimetric immunoassays for the
quantification of bovine acute-phase proteins Haptoglobin
and ITIH4
Matilde Piñeiro1, José Angel Robles-Guirado2, Laura Arroyo2, Lourdes
Soler1, Natalia García3, M. Angeles Alava3, Fermín Lampreave3,
Yolanda Saco2, Raquel Pato2, Raquel Peña2, Anna Bassols2, Francesca
Canalias2.
Acuvet Biotech, Zaragoza, Spain; 2Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona,
1 AH-04
Bellaterra, Spain; 3Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.
Objectives: Haptoglobin (Hp) and inter-alpha-trypsin in-
hibitor heavy chain H4 (ITIH4) are two key acute phase pro-
teins in cattle, used in the diagnosis and monitoring of infec-
tious and inflammatory diseases. Hp is characterized by a low
serum baseline concentration and a prominent increase (up
to 100 fold)) following the inflammatory stimuli, whereas ITIH4
shows a less prominent but more protracted response. The
most widely used method for Hp measurement is the Hp-Hb
binding assay, however this method is not sensitive enough
to detect Hp in normal bovine serum, and it is substantially
affected by hemolysis. Bovine Hp and ITIH4 can be measured
by immunochemical methods such as ELISA or turbidimetry.
Immunoturbidimetry is a very convenient method, because
results are obtained in a few minutes, and the assay can be
automated using a clinical chemistry analyser. The aim of the
study was to validate two new, species-specific, turbidimetric
immunoassays for the quantification of bovine Hp and ITIH4
Materials and Methods: The assays were set up in a ful-
ly automated clinical chemistry analyzer Olympus AU400 and
studies of accuracy, imprecision, limit of detection, prozone
effect and interferences carried out. Limit of detection was es-
tablished measuring a blank composed by 150 mM NaCl and
50g/L BSA for 30 times. Linearity and prozone effect were cal-
culated by serial dilution of a serum sample with high Hp (1.7
mg/L) or ITIH4 (9 mg/mL) concentration. Hemoglobin, bilirubin
and triglycerides were analyzed as potential interferents by de-
termining Hp and ITIH4 concentration in a given serum sample
in the presence of different concentration of these compounds.
Within-run and between-day precision was calculated by mea-
suring duplicates of a given sample for 20 days.
Results: The assay for Hp kept linearity under dilution in
a measuring range up to 400mg/L. Limit of detection was 5
mg/L. No hook effect was observed with Hp concentration of
1.7 mg/mL. The within-run and between day CV were 4 and
5 %, respectively. No interference from hemoglobin (20 g/L),
triglycerides (10 g/L) or bilirubin (150 mg/L) was detected.
ITIH4 assay showed linearity until 4 mg/mL. Limit of de-
tection was stablished in 0,003 mg/mL. No hook effect was
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
94
observed with ITIH4 concentration up to 9 mg/mL. Coefficients
of variation were always below 4% for within-run and between
day determinations. There was no interference by the pres-
ence of hemoglobin (20 g/L), triglycerides (10g/L) or bilirubin
(150 mg/L).
Conclusions: These new turbidimetric immunoassays are
rapid, robust and precise methods for the quantification of Hp
and ITIH4 in cattle, and have enough sensitivity to measure
baseline levels. Assays are not affected by hemolysis as can
occur with other assays for Hp quantification Both methods
can be easily set up in automated clinical chemistry analyzers,
providing a suitable tool for routine clinical use.
Keywords: Haptoglobin, ITIH4, Acute phase proteins, Im-
munoturbidimetry, Laboratory diagnostics.
A Review of the Causes of Mortality in Pre-Weaned Dairy
Calves
Katrina Henderson1, Megan Fergusson2.
SRUC Veterinary Services, Dumfries, United Kingdom; 2SRUC
1
Veterinary Services, Ayr, United Kingdom.
Pre-weaning calf mortality is an important determinant of
dairy enterprise profitability and is regarded as an important
indicator of animal welfare. A recent UK study of eleven herds
by Johnson et al (2017)1 found that, on average, 4.5 percent
of calves died in the first two months of life (range 1.9 to 8.3
percent). While there is published evidence as to the range
of pre-weaning mortality rates across different countries and
farms, there is little known about the causes of mortality. This
information would allow targeted control measures to be put in
place to reduce losses.
A review was carried out of all diagnostic carcase and vis-
cera submissions submitted to SRUC Vet Services between
2014 and 2018. This review sought to provide information on
the major causes of mortality in pre-weaned calves in Scottish
dairy herds.
A total of 614 submissions were analysed, and a definitive
diagnosis was reached in 603. This highlights the value of a
post-mortem examination in this age of calf.
A total of 1017 diagnoses were made, with infectious dis-
ease responsible for 69 percent. Nutritional problems account-
ed for a further 25 percent, and the final 6 percent represented
individual calf issues such as congenital deformities or bovine
neonatal pancytopaenia. When suitable samples were avail-
able, calves less than 7 days of age were screened to assess
colostral antibody transfer. Where hypogammaglobulinaemia
was detected it was considered to predispose calves to deaths
from other causes.
The five most common causes of mortality were crypto-
sporidia, rumen drinking, rotavirus, salmonellosis due to Sal-
monella Dublin and colisepticaemia. Pneumonias made up
approximately 34% of the diagnoses, with Mycoplasma bovis
the most common cause of pneumonia related deaths. Enteric

pathogens resulting in diarrhoea made up 34% of the diagno-
ses, with cryptosporidia the most frequently diagnosed.
It was considered that a nutritional component had played
a role in the death of 26 percent of calves, with rumen drinking
accounting for the majority. Cases of suspected underfeeding
were not included in this total as feeding volumes were not
known for all calves. Rumen drinking occurs when the rume-
no-reticular groove fails to divert milk from the oesophagus
to the abomasum. Fermentation of milk deposited in the ru-
men results in acid accumulation, and predisposes to yeast
colonisation. It is often a result of management practices such
as bucket feeding, irregular feeding times, or feeding milk at
the incorrect temperature or height. Neonatal diarrhoea and
stressful events such as transport or mixing of calves can play
a role. The feeding history of calves with rumen drinking was
compared to that of control calves that had died of non-nutri-
tional causes, where the feeding method was not considered
to have impacted on the cause of death. Rumen drinkers were
more likely to be fed from an open bucket with no teat (odds
ratio 4.35, 95 percent confidence intervals 1.91-9.87); less
likely to be fed from an automatic feeder (odds ratio 0.13, 95
percent confidence intervals 0.05-0.31); and more likely to be
fed a low volume of milk (≤4 litres a day, odds ratio 4.5, 95
percent confidence intervals 1.01-20.11). Notably, only rumen
drinkers had been fed waste milk.
These findings confirm much of the previous research on
factors that predispose to rumen drinking, and illustrate that
management changes can be made to reduce the risk. The
data was obtained as a result of passive surveillance, so may
not be fully representative of calf mortality on all dairy farms;
but it nonetheless highlights the contribution postmortem ex-
aminations can make when building up a comprehensive pic-
ture of calf health. The fact that 26 percent of deaths had a
significant nutritional component demonstrates the importance
of feeding management in ensuring the health and welfare of
dairy calves.
1. Johnson KF, Chancellor N, Burn CC, et al. Prospective
cohort study to assess rates of contagious disease in pre-
weaned UK dairy heifers: management practices, passive
transfer of immunity and associated calf health. Vet Rec Open
2017;4:e000226. doi:10.1136/ vetreco-2017-000226
Acknowledgments: SRUC VS receives financial support
from the Scottish Government for farm animal disease surveil-
lance activities.
Keywords: Dairy calf mortality.
AH-05
Importance of a systematic approach to investigating
emerging disorders of ruminants acquired during gestation
Peter Windsor.
Production Animal Welfare & health Services, Scarborough, NSW
2515, Australia.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Animal Health
Objectives: Describe a systematic investigative process
to more accurately define those disorders acquired in-utero
that lead to congenital deformities of farmed calves, lambs
and kids. Abnormalities present at birth may well be occurring
more frequently due to numerous reasons. In particular, the ef-
fects of increased climatic variability has increased the ranges
of vector-borne teratogenic viruses, plus there is a consistent
increase in the transport and use of the germplasm of elite
animals that has restricted the gene pools of the most popular
breeds. To manage this ever-present issue, a systematic in-
vestigative process is described, aimed at identifying causes
of outbreaks and sporadic occurrences of deformities, defining
these as attributable to: (1) infection; (2) nutritional deficiency
or excess; (3) teratogenic toxin from a plant or other chemical
source; or (4) inherited abnormality.
Materials and Methods: As many pathological processes
may damage the developing embryo or foetus during gesta-
tion, a systematic investigative approach is provided, devel-
oped from extensive reviews of the veterinary literature and
40 years of investigative studies of disorders of ruminant ne-
onates.
Results: Initially, the history and epidemiology of potential
risk factors is examined. Are the animals located in areas at
vulnerable periods where infectious agents, teratogenic plants
or nutritional aberrations may occur? Secondly, breeding met-
rics are calculated, including the rates of successful mating’s,
pregnancies, neonatal animals delivered, and then marked
and weaned. Identifying when losses occurred in the repro-
ductive cycle enables a ‘most likely’ differential diagnostic list
to direct more cost-effective investigations. Thirdly, if infectious
agents are suspected, collection of a foetus, neonate and/or
placenta and body fluids & tissues may enable demonstration
of pathogen presence and confirmation of attributable lesions
via laboratory examinations. Fourthly, where arbovirus infec-
tions occur, viral serological studies and interrogation of insect
vector distribution maps and databases conducted. Finally, if a
genetic disorder is suspected, examination of pedigree infor-
mation and the database of inherited disorders ‘Online Mende-
lian Inheritance in Animals’ (OMIA; http://omia.angis.org.au/)
is advised.
Understanding the causes of abnormalities occurring
during development in pregnancy is important, particularly
with evidence that risks of teratogens that alter embryos and
foetuses is increasing. The emergence of in-utero infections
due to Bluetongue, Schmallenberg and Akabane arbovi-
ruses in cattle and sheep and Zika virus in humans, reflects
broadening insect distributions. Conversely, increasingly se-
vere droughts may induce embryonic harm from deprivation
of maternal nutrition and increased intoxication episodes. In
Australian droughts, the plant Dysphania glomerulifera is as-
sociated with severe neonatal ovine and bovine biliary atresia
following grazing by dams adjacent to depleted water reserves
that exposes the foetus to the unique toxin biliatresone that in-
hibits post-hepatic biliary development. This recent discovery
informs the pathogenesis of the disorder in humans, the most
common cause of infantile liver transplantation. Further, with
inbreeding common in bovine, ovine and caprine production
systems, there is increasing risk of inherited congenital dis-
orders, particularly where artificial reproduction enables large
numbers of progeny to be descendents of small numbers of
elite individuals. Finally, numerous ruminant abnormalities are
95
ORAL — Animal Health
yet to be fully characterized, with research on their pathogen-
esis required.
Conclusion: Veterinarians and animal scientists have a
key role in educating producers and the public on the inev-
itability of congenital malformations in livestock production.
However, they need confidence and access to investigative
skills to initiate and conduct the systematic studies required,
that can provide evidence-based diagnostics and manage-
ment solutions for a society that is increasingly concerned with
improved welfare of livestock and frequently alarmed by the
appearance of congenital disorders. These opportunistic in-
vestigations may assist our comparative understanding of the
pathogenesis of congenital disorders and is of relevance to
human welfare. With anthropogenic-induced climate variabili-
ty increasing the risk and occurrence of deformities occurring
in-utero, the systematic approach to defining these emerging
disorders is encouraged.
Keywords: Congenital, deformities, arthropod-borne, ge-
netic, disease.
AH-06
The effects of heat treatment of bovine colostrum on
bacterial and somatic cell counts, immunoglobulins,
growth factors, and the colostral whey proteome
Giulio Curone1, Tawny Chandler2, Jessica Cha2, Paolo Moroni2,
Ruchika Bhawal2, Sheng Zhang2, Sabine Mann2.
1
Unversity of Milan, Lodi, Italy; 2Cornell University, Ithaca, United
States.
The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of
heat treatment on colostral low abundant proteins, immuno-
globulins (Ig), insulin and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), as
well as bacteria and somatic cells.
Study procedures were approved by the Cornell Univer-
sity Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. Colostrum
samples > 8 L and Brix % > 22.0 were harvested from cows
on a commercial dairy in NY, USA, were split into 2 aliquots
using single-use colostrum bags, and either cooled on ice
immediately after harvest (raw; R; n=11) or heat treated in a
commercial pasteurizer for 60 min at 60°C (heat; H; n=11).
All samples were analyzed for Ig via radial immunodiffusion in
colostrum, and for insulin and IGF-I concentrations in whey by
radioimmunoassay. Colostral total bacterial counts (TBC) and
somatic cell counts (SCC) were determined using standard
plate culture techniques and flow cytometry, respectively. A
subset of 5 pairs (n=10) was further analyzed by nanoLC-MS/
MS technique after ultracentrifugation at 100,000 x g for 60
min at 4°C to enrich the low abundant protein fraction in whey.
Data were analyzed using statistical analysis accounting for
the paired nature of the data using either paired t-test (JMP v.
14.0.0, SAS Institute, Cary, NC) or free online software to an-
alyze proteomics data (MetaboAnalyst v. 4.0) for fold-change
≥ 1.5 between pairs, and false discovery rate (FDR)-adjusted
paired t-tests with P < 0.05.
The median (range) reduction of IgA concentrations was
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
96
8.5 (0-38.0) % due to heat treatment (P = 0.02), whereas IgG
concentrations did not change due to treatment (P = 0.36).
Insulin concentrations decreased by a median (range) of 22
(7-45) % (P <0.001) and IGF-I by 10 (0-18) % (P = 0.005)
in H vs. R, respectively. Heat treatment was associated with
a mean ± SE decline in SCC of 207,000 ± 68,000 cells (P =
0.01), as well as a reduction in total bacterial count by 13,162
± 3,472 cfu/mL (P = 0.001). Proteomics analysis identified 328
unique proteins in all 10 samples. Among the 25 proteins that
decreased by at least 1.5 fold in H vs. R., 9 were identified as
complement proteins. Among the 45 proteins with FDR-adjust-
ed paired t-test P < 0.05 and that decreased in abundance,
11 were identified as complement proteins, and 6 involved in
immune response or coagulation.
We conclude that heat treatment of colostrum is associated
with a reduction in the concentration of bacterial and somat-
ic cell counts, IgA, insulin and IGF-I. In addition, proteomics
analysis of colostral whey identified a number of complement
components and other proteins that decreased in abundance
due to heat treatment. The role of colostral complement in the
intestine or circulation of the newborn calf has received rela-
tively little attention to date. The biological significance of the
observed changes in colostral components for the health and
immune function of the newborn calf will need to be assessed.
Keywords: Colostrum, heat treatment, proteome, insulin,
IgA.
AH-07
Assessment of ruminal fluid pH evolution across the
weaning period in Holstein calves under field conditions
Panagiota Kazana1, Nektarios Siachos1, Nikolaos Panousis2, Georgios
Bramis1, Georgios Arsenos1, Georgios Valergakis1.
1
Laboratory of Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,
School of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124
Thessaloniki, Greece, Thessaloniki, Greece; 2Clinic of Farm Animals,
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Aristotle
University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece, Thessaloniki,
Greece.
Objective: The aims of this study were twofold: i) to iden-
tify ruminal fluid pH (RFpH) evolution patterns in the peri-wean-
ing period, and ii) to assess the association of these patterns
with management practices, performance and metabolic pa-
rameters in dairy calves.
Materials and methods: A total of 237 Holstein healthy
calves from 8 commercial dairy farms were enrolled in the
study. For each calf, date of birth, pre-weaning housing sys-
tem (individual or group), feeding management (access to hay
before or after 4th week of age; ample access to water or not),
milk replacer (MR) daily feeding plan (low: <6 L; medium: 6 L;
high: >6 L) and method of weaning (abrupt or gradual) were
available. At -7d, 0d and +7d relative to weaning (0d), calves
were clinically examined and bodyweight (BW) was estimat-
ed from heart girth measurement. At the same time-points,
blood samples [for serum β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) and urea

nitrogen (BUN) determination] and ruminal fluid samples (for
on-site RFpH measurement with a portable pH-meter) were
collected, 1-2 h post-feeding. Average daily gain (ADG) was
calculated for the pre- and the post-weaning week (ADG1 and
ADG2). A hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) was performed
to identify clusters based on RFpH evolution. The RFpH at -7d,
0d and +7d were inserted in the HCA as continuous variables.
The number of clusters obtained from the agglomeration
schedule was then used in a two-step cluster analysis (TSCA)
to establish the RFpH patterns. Comparisons among RFpH clus-
ters were performed using chi-square test and ANOVA, for
categorical and continuous variables, respectively. Moreover,
multivariable univariate regressions were performed to assess
the effect of the RFpH cluster membership variable on BW at
-7d, ADG1 and ADG2. Repeated measures mixed models
were used to assess the effect of RFpH cluster membership
on BHB and BUN. ROC curves were performed to investigate
possible BHB and BUN thresholds predicting RFpH classifica-
tion. All analyses were performed with IBM SPSS v.25.
Results: Calves were classified in 5 clusters (CL). CL1
(n=21) had constantly a RFpH <6.0, fluctuating during the test
period. CL1 was characterized by grouped housing pre-wean-
ing (95%), limited access to water (95%), early access to hay
(90%) and medium MR feeding plan (62%). CL2 (n=50) had
constantly a relatively stable RFpH <6.0. No management fac-
tors were associated with this cluster. CL3 (n=30) had a RFpH
<6.0 at -7d and 0d, which increased >6.0 at +7d. CL3 was
characterized by individually housed calves pre-waning (77%)
and a medium plan of MR feeding (87%). CL4 (n=46) had a
RFpH constantly >6.0, but with fluctuations during the study pe-
riod; 72% of calves had early access to hay. CL5 (n=90) had a
stable RFpH constantly >6.0. CL5 was characterized by individ-
ually housed calves pre-weaning (74%) and a high plan of MR
feeding (96%). Mean ADG (kg/d) for each cluster for the pre-
(ADG1) and post-weaning period (ADG2) were: CL1 (0.52,
0.78), CL2 (0.47, 0.69), CL3 (0.62, 0.53), CL4 (0.87, 0.55)
and CL5 (0.79, 0.40), respectively. Cluster membership had
a significant effect only on ADG1 (P<0.05). Calves in CL1 and
CL2 had a lower mean estimated ADG1 of 0.992 kg (P<0.001)
and 0.607 kg (P<0.05) compared to calves in CL5 and CL4.
Moreover, CL5 had a lower proportion (13.3%) of calves losing
BW from -7d to 0d compared to CL2 (45.0%, P<0.05) and CL3
(30.0%, P<0.05). Calves in CL1 tended to have lower BW at
-7d although they were numerically older than all others. BHB
and BUN were significantly affected by cluster membership
(P<0.05). BUN was also affected by time-point × cluster in-
teraction (P<0.001). BHB ≥436.2 (μM/L) and BUN <7.85 (mg/
dL) at -7d were identified from the ROC curves as significant
thresholds for predicting classification of calves in either CL1
and CL2 or in CL4 and CL5.
Conclusions: During the weaning period, different pat-
terns of RFpH exist and several management factors were
associated with them. Patterns of rumen pH >6.0 were asso-
ciated with higher growth rates, higher BHB and lower BUN
values, indicating proper rumen function (enhanced volatile
fatty acid production and absorption and better nitrogen utili-
zation efficiency).
Keywords: Calves, Weaning, ruminal fluid pH.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Animal Health
AH-08
Effects of a single transdermal Flunixin Meglumine
treatment on health, milk yield, culling risk, and fertility of
early postpartum Holstein Friesian dairy cows
Ruth Schmitt1, Jantijn Swinkels2, Carl-Christian Gelfert3, Laura
Pieper4, Rudolf Staufenbiel1.
Ruminant and Swine Clinic, Free University of Berlin, Berlin,
1
Germany; 2MSD Animal Health, Boxmeer, Netherlands; 3MSD Animal
Health, Vienna, Austria; 44Department of Farm Animal Surgery,
Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
Objectives: Inflammation around parturition, although ini-
tially physiological, can reach pathologic extent in some indi-
viduals, with detrimental impact on health and immunity. Early
postpartum (p.p.) dairy cows are highly susceptible to differ-
ent puerperal diseases associated with inflammation, which
represents a considerable welfare and productivity problem in
dairy herds. Treatment of early p.p. dairy cows with non-ste-
roidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) might alleviate pain,
reduce inflammation, and hence diminish the incidence of pu-
erperal diseases. The objectives of this study were to assess
the effects of a single transdermal application of Flunixin Me-
glumine at 24–36 h p.p. in Holstein Friesian (HF) dairy cows
on subsequent health, milk yield and fertility.
Materials and Methods: A total number of 500 HF dairy
cows (153 primiparous (PRIM) and 347 multiparous (MULT))
from 3 large commercial dairy farms in North Eastern Ger-
many were included in the study. The farms had a history
of comparatively high serum haptoglobin concentrations in
postpartum cows. At 24–36h p.p. the first clinical examination
and treatment took place. Cows with stillbirth, twin birth, dys-
tocia, signs of milk fever, retained fetal membranes or high
fever (>40°C), were excluded from the study. Posture, behav-
ior, tail position, back arching, rumen fill and locomotion were
scored, rectal body temperature was measured. Cows were
randomly assigned to one of two groups (250 cows each):
the treatment group received 3.33mg/kg b.w. Flunixin Meglu-
mine (FM) (Finadyne®Transdermal, MSD Animal Health) by
transdermal application; the control group (CON) received
the same amount of placebo fluid. Cows were examined daily
up to day 8 p.p. and on day 15. On day 8 and 15 p.p., their
vaginal discharge was assessed using an intravaginal de-
vice (Metricheck®, Simcro Limited, New Zealand). Additional
blood samples were drawn on day 4 and 6 p.p. for haptoglobin
(Hp), albumin (Alb), total protein, betahydroxybutyrate (BHB),
non-esterified fatty acids, calcium, and phosphate. Monthly
milk yield, composition, somatic cell count (SCC), and fertility
data were obtained from the herd management software. Sta-
tistical analysis was performed using a commercially available
software (IBM® SPSS®). Linear, ordinal, binary and gener-
alized mixed logistic regression models were used to assess
the effects of FM treatment on clinical and production parame-
ters. Both combined and separate models were calculated for
PRIM and MULT cows.
Results: Compared to CON cows, FM-treated PRIM cows
had a lower risk for purulent vaginal discharge on day 8 (OR
1.52, P<0.04) and day 15 p.p. (OR 1.63, P<0.01). FM-treat-
ed PRIM cows also showed lower serum Hp (0.90±0.08
vs. 1.17±0.07g/l; P<0.01) and higher Alb concentrations
97
ORAL — Animal Health
(35.5±0.31 vs. 34.8±0.31g/l; P=0.02) on day 6 p.p. and lower
rectal body temperature throughout the study period (P=0.04).
Compared to CON, FM-treated MULT cows showed slightly
lower serum BHB concentrations on d 4 and d 6 p.p. (P<0.01).
Regardless of parity, treated animals were significantly less
likely to abduct their tail (14.3 % vs. 23.6 %) or show arched
back (27.9 % vs. 39.7 %) on the day after treatment (P<0.05).
Daily milk yield was higher in FM-treated PRIM cows (30.73
vs. 29.51±1.35 kg; P<0.001) and lower in FM-treated MULT
cows compared to CON (36.90 vs. 37.78±1.06kg; P=0.020).
Milk fat and protein content were higher in FM-treated PRIM
cows and lower in FM-treated MULT cows compared to CON.
No effects of the treatment were observed on rumen fill, loco-
motion score, milk urea, SCC, fertility (first service conception
risk, 200 DIM days open) and 60 DIM culling risk.
Conclusions: In this study, treatment with flunixin meglu-
mine at 24–36 h p.p. decreased metritis risk and systemic in-
flammation in PRIM cows. FM-treated PRIM cows had higher
milk yield compared to CON animals. No effects of the treat-
ment on reproductive performance or culling risk were found.
Therefore, in dairy herds with higher prevalence of systemic
inflammation in clinically healthy early p.p. cows, transdermal
administration of FM at 24–36 h after calving can be justified
only for PRIM cows. Future research is needed to confirm the
findings and to assess effects of FM in cows experiencing dys-
tocia and in clinically diseased fresh cows.
Keywords: Post partum, inflammation, flunixin meglu-
mine, dairy cows.
AH-09
Oral treatment of ketosis with red wine in fresh Holstein
cows reduces beta-hydroxybutyrate in blood and resolves
ketosis better than treatment with propylene glycol
Aurora Villarroel1, John Mata2.
1
Athyr Vet, LLC, Philomath, OR, United States; 2Ome Naturals, LLC,
Corvallis, OR, United States.
Objective: Treatment of fresh cow ketosis is an ongoing
problem on dairy farms. Current treatment protocols lack ef-
ficacy, therefore new options are needed. The most effective
treatments so far are all based on commercial alcohol prod-
ucts. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effective-
ness of two natural alcohol products (red wine and ethanol) for
the oral treatment of ketosis in fresh cows compared to two
treatment protocols based on oral propylene glycol.
Materials and Methods: This was a clinical trial per-
formed at a dairy farm in Oregon equipped with in-line milk
component analysis (AfiLab®, Afimilk, Israel) and milk meters
that automatically collected milking information on each cow 3
times per day, every day.
Holstein cows between 4 and 30 DIM were flagged by the
system if they had 3 consecutive milkings with a fat:prot ra-
tio>1.4 and then confirmed by testing a venous blood sample
for BHBA (beta-hydroxybutyrate acid) with a cow-side device
(Precision XtraTM, Abbott, US). Cows were assigned to one of
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
98
four treatment groups, stratified by lactation group (1st lact and
2+ lact). Treatment groups were (A) 2 L of red wine the first
day followed by 1 L/day for 2 days, (B) 300 mL/day of propyl-
ene glycol for 3 days, (C) 2 L of ethanol the first day, followed
by 1 L/day for 2 days and (D) on-farm drench protocol that
provided 300 ml of propylene glycol in 20 L of water with a
proprietary blend of electrolytes. A follow-up blood sample was
tested the day after the last treatment (day 4).
Cows were randomly assigned to each group, and a min-
imum of 6 cows with complete data were to be enrolled per
group. Changes in BHBA, milk production and milk compo-
nents were evaluated and compared between the four treat-
ment groups.
Results: Cows treated with wine had significantly larger
decrease in BHBA (-0.69±0.37 mmol/L) compared to cows
treated only with propylene glycol (-0.30±0.53 mmol/L) or only
with ethanol (-0.10±0.37 mmol/L), but no difference with the
on-farm drench protocol (-0.56±0.86 mmol/L). These chang-
es resulted in the following proportions of cured cows after
3 days, defined as BHBA≤1.0 mmol/L: wine 57%, propylene
glycol 25%, ethanol 36% and drench protocol 33%.
Conclusion: Overall, the proportion of cured cows was
low in all groups demonstrating the insidious nature of ketosis
in fresh dairy cows and the need for more research to find
effective treatments. Oral treatment with wine resulted in the
largest proportion of cows cured compared to all other treat-
ments, along with the largest decrease in BHBA in blood, es-
pecially compared to oral propylene glycol. Oral treatment with
wine resulted in similar decrease in BHBA but more cures than
a custom on-farm drenching protocol that required extensive
labor and could result in death due to drowning. Additionally, it
is noteworthy that wine would be a simple and viable alterna-
tive for the treatment of ketosis in organic dairy farms.
Keywords: Ketosis, propylene glycol, ethanol, organic,
dairy.
AH-10
Prevalence of and risk factors associated with failure of
transfer of passive immunity (FPT) in beef calves in Great
Britain
Rachel Bragg1, Alastair Macrae1, Samantha Lycett2, Elizabeth
Burrough1, Geraldine Russell1, Alexander Corbishley1.
R(D)SVS, Edinburgh, United Kingdom; 2Roslin Institute, Roslin,
1
United Kingdom.
Objectives: Failure of transfer of passive immunity (FPT)
of colostral antibodies is well documented in dairy calves, with
prevalence estimates varying from 19.2% to 33.1% worldwide.
However knowledge of the rate of FPT in beef calves remains
limited, with very few published studies.
The objectives of this study were to 1) investigate the cur-
rent prevalence of FPT in GB spring calving beef herds, 2)
identify associated risk factors for the development of FPT in
spring born suckled calves at the calf, cow and herd level.

Materials and methods: 1131 individual blood samples
were collected from calves in the first week of life from 86
farms across Scotland and England in spring 2018 (mean 13.5
calves per farm). The following information was collected for
each animal blood sampled: sex, breed, date of birth, date of
sampling, ease of calving (4 point scale – 1:No assistance,
2:Easy assistance, 3: Hard pull/calving jack required, 4:Cae-
sarean section), any assistance the calf required to feed co-
lostrum (7 point scale – 0: Feeding not observed, 1: Observed
suckling, 2: Lead to feed off dam, 3: Bottle fed dam’s own co-
lostrum, 4: Tube fed dam’s own colostrum, 5: Bottle fed artifi-
cial colostrum, 6: Tube fed artificial colostrum), the weight of
the calf at sampling (indirectly assessed using heart girth mea-
surement), the parity of the dam (heifer or cow) and the body
condition score (BCS) of the dam (scale 1.0-5.0). Calves were
chosen as a convenience sample for the age range required,
excluding calves born by Caesarean section. Calf blood sam-
ples were analysed for serum IgG by Radial Immuno-Diffusion
(RID). Risk factor analysis was performed using generalized
linear mixed modelling techniques, with the farm included as
a random effect.
Results: 15% of calves sampled had a serum IgG concen-
tration ([sIgG] under 10 g/l, indicating failure of passive trans-
fer of immunity. 37% of calves sampled had a [sIgG] under 24
g/l, indicating poor passive transfer of immunity. On 25 farms,
greater than 20% of the calves sampled had ([sIgG] under 10
g/l indicating complete FPT.
All three levels of assistance with colostrum feeding used
in this study were significant predictors for calves having a
[sIgG] <24 g/L (Lead to dam odds ratio (OR) = 1.85, Bottle/
tube fed dam’s colostrum OR = 2.35, Bottle/tube fed artificial
colostrum OR = 3.78), whilst bottle/tube feeding either dam’s
or artificial colostrum were also significant for [sIgG] <10 g/L
(OR 2.66 and 2.34 respectively). Calving assistance was sig-
nificant and increased the likelihood of [sIgG] <10 g/L and <24
g/L (OR 1.66 and 1.91 respectively). Male calves had a higher
risk for [sIgG] <10 g/L (OR 1.68) whereas being a twin or being
born to a heifer were predictive of having a [sIgG] <24 g/L (OR
3.31 and 1.57 respectively).
Conclusion: Overall prevalence of FPT in spring born
suckled beef calves was similar to dairy calves, with 15% of
calves having serum IgG concentration ([sIgG] under 10 g/L
in the first week of life. Significant risk factors for serum IgG
<10 g/L were calving assistance (OR 1.66), feeding assistance
(OR 2.34-2.66) and being male (OR 1.68). Significant risk fac-
tors for serum IgG <24 g/L included dam parity (OR 1.57),
twins (OR 3.31), assistance at calving (OR 1.91) and assis-
tance with feeding colostrum (OR 1.75-3.78). This study rais-
es important questions with respect to colostrum management
practices on beef farms and highlights the need for revised
protocols, particularly with respect to colostrum assistance, to
improve calf health and productivity.
Keywords: Beef, Calves, Calf health, FPT.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Animal Health
AH-11
The maternal influence on microbiota maturation in
neonatal calves in beef and dairy systems
Matthew Barden1, Peter Richards-Rios1, Erika Ganda2, Luca Lenzi1,
Richard Eccles1, Georgios Oikonomou1, Jo Oultram1, Joseph Neary1.
University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom; 2Penn State
1
College of Agricultural Sciences, Pennsylvania, United States.
Objectives: The gastrointestinal microbiota of neonatal
calves changes rapidly in the first weeks of life. The dam is
considered an important source of microbes for the calf [1–3];
consequently, the development of calf microbiota may vary
with farming system due to differences in the duration of time
the calf spends with the dam. The objectives of this study were
to characterise the early maturation of oral and faecal micro-
biota in beef and dairy calves and compare these to the ana-
tomical niches on their dams which were likely to contribute to
the vertical transfer of microbes.
Materials and methods: Hereford beef cows (N= 5) and
Holstein dairy cows (N = 5) were enrolled on two farms and
sampled at three timepoints: 4-8 weeks pre-calving, within 12
hours of calving, and four-weeks after calving. Samples were
collected from the mouth, teat-skin, milk, vagina and faeces of
cows at all timepoints; only oral and faecal samples were col-
lected from calves. Beef calves could freely suckle from their
dam throughout the study. Dairy calves were removed from
their dams within six hours of parturition and fed artificial milk
replacer. DNA was extracted from each sample and the V4
hypervariable region of the 16S rRNA gene was sequenced.
Amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) were identified and the
phylogenetic relationship between these ASVs was explored.
Results: A total of 14,125 ASVs were identified and taxo-
nomically assigned. In beef and dairy calves, the oral microbi-
ota became more similar to the oral microbiota of adult cows
over the first four weeks of life. There was little similarity be-
tween the faecal microbiota of calves and cows; at four-weeks
of age the faecal microbiota of calves was most similar to the
oral microbiota calves and adult cows. At four-weeks of age,
ASVs were identified in the calf oral microbiota that were also
present in all cow samples immediately after calving, with the
exception of dairy cow faeces. Very few ASVs were present in
the calf faecal microbiota at four-weeks of age that were pres-
ent in cow samples at calving. These results were observed in
both beef and dairy calves.
Conclusions: The oral microbiota of calves matured more
quickly than the faecal microbiota and by four-weeks of age
it was similar to the oral microbiota of adult cows. The micro-
biota of calf faeces changed over the first four-weeks of life
but bared little resemblance to the faeces of adult cows. Any
maternal influence on these changes presumably occurred im-
mediately post-partum as there were few differences between
the trends observed in beef and dairy calves, despite dairy
calves having limited contact with their dam. Specific microbes
were present in the microbiota of both the calf and dam at
calving but after four weeks more of these were still present in
the calf oral microbiota than the faecal microbiota. This trend
was observed in both beef and dairy calves and may suggest
that immediately after calving the dam shares more microbes
99
ORAL — Animal Health
with the calf oral microbiota than the faecal microbiota. Mi-
crobes identified in cow colostrum were also present in calf
faeces at calving, but none were still present in calf faeces
by four-weeks of age suggesting colostrum did not have a
persistent seeding effect on the faecal microbiota of neonatal
calves. Overall there were no marked differences between the
development of the oral and faecal microbiota in beef or dairy
calves during the first four weeks of life. This suggests that
continued contact with the dam has little influence on the early
maturation of oral and faecal microbiota.
References:
1. Alipour MJ, Jalanka J, Pessa-Morikawa T, Kokkonen
T, Satokari R, Hynönen U, et al. The composition of
the perinatal intestinal microbiota in cattle. Sci Rep.
2018;8:10437. doi:10.1038/s41598-018-28733-y.
2. Klein-Jöbstl D, Quijada NM, Dzieciol M, Feldbach-
er B, Wagner M, Drillich M, et al. Microbiota of new-
born calves and their mothers reveals possible
transfer routes for newborn calves’ gastrointestinal
microbiota. PLoS One. 2019;14. doi:10.1371/journal.
pone.0220554.
3. Yeoman CJ, Ishaq SL, Bichi E, Olivo SK, Lowe J,
Aldridge BM. Biogeographical Differences in the In-
fluence of Maternal Microbial Sources on the Ear-
ly Successional Development of the Bovine Neo-
natal Gastrointestinal tract. Sci Rep. 2018;8:3197.
doi:10.1038/s41598-018-21440-8.
Keywords: Beef calves, Dairy calves, Microbiota, Neo-
nates, Gastrointestinal tract.
AH-12
Factors affecting the price of young calves sold to Québec
auction markets to be raised as veal calves (2008-2019)
Buczinski Sébastien1, Fecteau Gilles1, Blouin Louis2, Villettaz-
Robichaud Marianne1.
1
Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Canada; 2Producteurs
bovins du Québec, Longueuil, Canada.
More than 80% of Canadian veal calves are produced in
the province of Québec. Calves coming from dairy farms are
generally sold through auction markets and then commingled
in veal farms. Little information is available on key drivers of
calves’ prices when sold through auction markets.
Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the
risk factors of not being sold or being sold at a very low price
in 1 457 257 calves sold in Québec auction markets during the
study period (from January 1st 2008 to December 31st 2019).
Materials and methods: The sale data were retrieved
from the general database managed by Québec beef pro-
ducers (Producteurs bovins du Québec) from the 6 auction
markets in activity during the study period. Specific data an-
alysed were: the distance traveled from then farm of origin to
the auction market, the season, the year, the breed (Holstein,
cross-beef or non-Holstein dairy), gender, and calves’ weight.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
100
The dependent variable was defined as a calf sold <0.1 CAD/
lb (0.22 CAD/kg) which represented 30 024 calves (2.06% of
the dataset) during the study period. Multivariable logistic re-
gression modelsmodels were developped using relevant inter-
actions between independent variables as previously studied
in beef feedlot calves.
Results: The final model included year, season, sex,
weight (categorized in deciles), distance traveled (categorized
in quintiles) as well as interactions between distance traveled
and site, sex, season, and weight. Low weight calves (<40kg)
had higher odds of being sold at low price per crude weight.
Cross-bred and female calves had lower odds of being sold at
a low price. The odds of being sold at low price were higher in
winter. Counterintuitively, calves coming from longer distances
(>110km from the auction market) had lower odds of being
sold at a low price. However, these odds were higher than
other traveled distance strata during fall and summer but lower
during winter and spring.
Conclusions: This study gives interesting insight on spe-
cific risk factors associated with low purchasing price and
would potentially be helpful for improving calf supply quality
and prices. There is a complex relationship between distance
travelled and calf quality (as assessed by purchasing prices).
Preparation before transportation and condition of transport
are therefore of critical importance and should be thoroughly
investigated.
Keywords: Dairy, veal, calves, multivariable.
AH-13
Administration of intranasal bacterial therapeutics or
subcutaneous tulathromycin induces long-term modulation
of the nasopharyngeal microbiota in beef cattle
Trevor Alexander1, Samat Amat1, Edouard Timsit2.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge, Canada; 2CEVA
1
Animal Health, Libourne, France.
Objectives: The emergence of antibiotic-resistant patho-
gens associated with bovine respiratory disease (BRD) pres-
ents a significant challenge to the beef industry, as antibiotic
administration is commonly used to prevent and control BRD
in commercial feedlot cattle. Alternatives to antibiotics such as
intranasal bacterial therapeutics (BT) are therefore needed as
part of new management strategies to reduce antibiotic use
and BRD. This study aimed to evaluate the longitudinal ef-
fects of intranasal BT on the nasopharyngeal (NP) microbiota,
abundance of BRD pathogens, and quantities of antibiotic re-
sistance genes in post-weaned beef calves, in comparison to
a common metaphylactic antibiotic.
Materials & Methods: Beef heifers (N = 20 per treatment)
from an auction market received either i) an intranasal cock-
tail of six Lactobacillus strains (3 × 109 CFU per strain), ii) a
single injection of tulathromycin, or iii) intranasal saline on day
0. Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected pre- (day -1) and
post- (days 1, 2, 4, 7, 14, 28, and 42) administration, and were
processed for the assessment of bacterial microbiota using

culturing (BRD pathogens only), 16S rRNA gene sequencing,
and real-time PCR.
Results: Despite being transient colonizers, a single inoc-
ulation of intranasal BT induced longitudinal modulation of NP
microbiota while showing no adverse effects on animal health
and growth performance. The BT-mediated changes in NP
microbiota included reduced microbial diversity and richness,
and an increase in the cooperative and competitive bacterial
relationships. Tulathromycin altered the NP microbiota struc-
ture and composition by reducing bacterial load, increasing
the antibiotic resistance gene msr(E) abundance, and dis-
rupting bacterial network interactions. While the relative abun-
dance of genera associated with BRD pathogens did not differ
between treatments, tulathromycin did reduce prevalence of
the pathogen Pasteurella multocida on days 7 and 14 based
on culture analysis.
Conclusions: The results indicated that it was possible to
use intranasal BT to modulate the bovine respiratory microbi-
ota up to 42 days after inoculation, including enhancement of
bacterial interactions. Intranasal BT may therefore have po-
tential in conferring microbiome-mediated resistance against
respiratory pathogens in feedlot cattle.
Keywords: bacterial therapeutics, cattle, respiratory mi-
crobiota, tulathromycin, bovine respiratory disease.
AH-14
Prepartum magnesium butyrate supplementation improves
the health and performance of dairy cows
Levente Kovács1, Ferenc Pajor1, Mikolt Bakony2, Joan Edwards3.
1
Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Kaposvár,
Hungary; 2University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary;
3
Palital Feed Additives B.V., Velddriel, Netherlands.
Objectives: In the dry period, the size of the rumen papil-
lae decrease by more than 50%. After provision of a high ener-
gy lactation ration, it takes 50-60 days for the rumen papillae to
fully redevelop. As a consequence, during early lactation the
ruminal absorption of volatile fatty acids (VFA) and nutrients is
limited. Rumen papillae redevelopment is stimulated by VFA,
with butyrate being the most effective due to its ability to in-
crease cell proliferation and to inhibit cell apoptosis. Butyrate
also increases epithelial blood flow, magnesium absorption
and VFA transport in the rumen wall. Furthermore, relative to
parturition, butyrate supplementation has been demonstrated
to improve colostrum composition in pigs. We hypothesized
that dietary magnesium butyrate supplementation during the
peripartum period of dairy cows would increase colostrum
quality and improve the health and performance of dairy cows.
Materials & Methods: Two hundred-and-nineteen healthy
multiparous Holstein-Friesian cows were blocked by expect-
ed calving date and then randomly assigned to treatment and
control groups. For the cows in the treatment group (n=108),
magnesium butyrate (Rumen-Ready®, Palital Feed Additives
B.V.) was supplemented to the pre-calving total mixed ration
(TMR) during the three-week close-up period. This resulted in
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Animal Health
cows receiving 150 g of Rumen-Ready® per day until calving.
Rumen-Ready® contains 70% magnesium butyrate encapsu-
lated in a fat matrix, and the magnesium butyrate is complete-
ly released and solubilized within the rumen. The pre-calving
TMR of the control group (n=111) had no supplementation. At
partum, cows were monitored in terms of calving ease, co-
lostrum quality and quantity. The daily milk yield of the cows
up to 70 days postpartum was recorded. Body condition and
lameness of the cows were scored weekly during the trial.
Fertility-related parameters of the cows were assessed: days
to first heat, services per conception and late embryonic/early
fetal mortality rate. The health status of the cows was deter-
mined until 70 days postpartum by a trained veterinarian who
was blinded to the treatment groups. Significant differences,
relative to the control group, were declared at P<0.05.
Results: Magnesium butyrate supplementation was as-
sociated with a significant decrease in the calving assistance
rate and incidence of retained placenta. Colostrum volume
and the total yield of IgG, protein and lactose were significantly
higher in the treatment group. Supplemented cows had signifi-
cantly higher milk yield during the first three weeks of lactation,
and a significantly higher body condition score 3-9 weeks after
calving. In terms of reproductive performance, the number of
services per conception, the late embryonic/early fetal mortal-
ity rate and the number of days to first heat were significantly
decreased by magnesium butyrate supplementation.
Conclusion: Supplementation of magnesium butyrate,
in the form of Rumen-Ready®, significantly improved the co-
lostrum, calving ease, early lactation performance, body con-
dition, health and fertility of dairy cows. These wide-ranging
benefits are underpinned by the positive stimulation of the ru-
men during the close-up period, and the provision of a readily
available source of magnesium.
Keywords: Lactation, dry period, rumen, fertility, colos-
trum.
AH-16
Identification of potential predictive biomarkers and
molecular mechanisms contributing to BRD-associated
mortality in post-weaned beef cattle
Matthew Scott1, Amelia Woolums1, Cyprianna Swiderski2, Andy
Perkins3, Bindu Nanduri4, David R. Smith1, Brandi Karisch5, William
Epperson1, John R. Blanton Jr.5.
1
Department of Pathobiology and Population Medicine, Mississippi
State University, United States; 2Department of Clinical Sciences,
Mississippi State University, United States; 3Department of Computer
Science and Engineering, Mississippi State University, United States;
4
Department of Basic Sciences, Mississippi State University, United
States; 5Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State
University, United States.
Objectives: Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is a multi-
factorial disease complex possibly exacerbated by inflamma-
tory responses to pathogenic agents. Diagnosis is commonly
based on non-specific clinical signs, which lack sensitivity.
101
ORAL — Animal Health
Elucidating early genomic mechanisms involved in BRD could
lead to improved diagnostics. Moreover, early identification
of cattle at increased risk for death might support interven-
tions that decrease mortality. Our objective was to determine
whether whole blood transcriptomes of post-weaned beef cat-
tle identify predictive biomarkers and biological processes as-
sociated with BRD mortality.
Materials and Methods: Blood was collected at arrival
from six cattle that ultimately developed BRD within the follow-
ing 14 days. Replicates were placed into two cohorts based
on BRD-attributed mortality (n=3 ALIVE; n=3 DEAD). Blood
RNA was sequenced into 80 million 150bp paired-end reads
per sample via an Illumina HiSeq 3000. RNA-seq was per-
formed with a HISAT2/Stringtie/edgeR pipeline, utilizing the
ARS-UCD1.2 assembly for alignment. Differentially expressed
genes (DEGs) identified between groups (FDR <0.10) were
modeled in WebGestalt, Reactome, GLAD4U, and STRING
to identify GO-biological process (GO-BP) terms, pathways,
disease phenotypes, and predicted interactions.
Results: 69 DEGs were identified between cohorts.
GO-BP terms and pathways indicated increased expression
of type I interferon-associated and antiviral genes in DEAD
(FDR<0.05). Disease phenotyping of DEGs increased in
DEAD indicated antiviral mechanisms (FDR<0.05). STRING
analysis of DEGs predicted co-expression of interferon-asso-
ciated gene products (CI>0.900).
Conclusions: RNA-seq and downstream analysis of
whole blood collected at arrival demonstrated significant in-
creases in type I interferon-associated genes in animals that
succumbed to BRD, indicating that pro-inflammatory mecha-
nisms at arrival are associated with BRD outcomes.
Keywords: Bovine, blood, interferon, transcriptome, gene
expression.
AH-17
Effect of live yeast supplementation on growth and health
of pre-weaned dairy calves
Nektarios Siachos1, Panagiota Kazana1, Clothilde Villot2, Eric
Chevaux2, Guillermo Jimenez2, Georgios E. Valergakis1, Georgios
Arsenos1.
Laboratory of Animal Husbandry, Veterinary Faculty, Aristotle
1
University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece; 2Lallemand SAS,
Blagnac, France.
Objective: High growth rates of calves during pre-wean-
ing period are associated with better performance later in life.
However, this period is also characterized by high morbidity
and mortality. Hence, the objective here was to investigate the
effect of an oral probiotic supplement containing the live yeast
strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae boulardii CNCM I-1079, on
performance and health of pre-weaned dairy calves.
Materials and methods: Forty-one Holstein calves born
from late September to mid-November 2019, in a medium-size
(390 milking cows) dairy farm in Greece were enrolled in the
study. All calves received the colostrum from the dam within
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
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2-4 h of birth and transitioned to milk replacer (MR) at day 3
of age. A blood sample was collected at 2-3 days of age to
assess the transfer of passive immunity using a Brix refrac-
tometer. Calves were randomly assigned in two experimental
groups, designated as Test (T) and Control (C), stratified by
dam’s parity, gender and serum Brix (%) value. Calves were
individually housed in elevated stalls and were offered daily 7L
of MR, divided in 2 equal meals, in buckets, at a dilution rate
of 0.125kg /L, providing 4.6 Mcal metabolizable energy (ME) /
kg of dry matter (DM) (21.5% crude protein and 18% fat). They
had ad-libitum access to water and were offered pelleted start-
er (6.72 Mcal ME/kg DM) after week 1 and chopped alfalfa
hay after week 6 of age. T calves received 5g of live yeast
at a dosage of 2×109 cfu/day, diluted in the MR for the whole
experiment. Weaning was done on week 9 of age (day 60)
with a gradual reduction of MR volume the previous 2 weeks.
Calves’ bodyweight (BW) was measured with a portable live-
stock scale at birth and week 9 (weaning). Average daily gain
(ADG) was calculated for the whole nursery period. Starter
and hay refusals were weighted weekly. Feed efficiency (FE),
as total ME intake divided by BW gain, was calculated. Re-
spiratory and fecal scores (RS and FS respectively) were as-
sessed weekly by the same evaluator. Univariate regressions
were performed to assess the effect of treatment on ADG and
FE. The effect of treatment on pelleted starter and hay intake
were assessed with linear mixed models. Repeated measures
logistic regressions were used to assess RS and FS, using bi-
nary variables (0: scores 0 and 1; 1: scores 2 and 3). Statistical
analysis was performed using IBM SPSS v.25.
Results: The initial BW (mean ±SD) was 41.2 ±3.9 kg and
41.9 ±4.0 kg for T and C calves, respectively (P =0.797), while
mean BW at weaning was 64.3 ±15.3 kg and 61.0 ±7.0 kg for
T and C calves, respectively (P =0.103). One T calf and one
C calf died from acute bloat and pneumonia, respectively, and
their data regarding ADG and FE were excluded from the anal-
ysis. Three out of 21 C calves (vs. 0/20 T calves) were decid-
ed by the farmer to be weaned 2 weeks later than scheduled
due to poor performance. High overall morbidity was recorded
during the study. Ninety percent of T calves and 95% of C
calves were at least once assigned a FS 2 or 3, while 80% of
T calves and 67% of C calves were at least once assigned a
RS 2 or 3. Week-to-week starter and hay intakes did not differ
between groups. On average, total starter and hay consump-
tions were 23.0 kg (±10.2) and 1.9 kg (±0.7), respectively for
C calves, and 25.7 kg (±8.8) and 1.7 kg (±0.7), respectively
for T ones. T calves tended to have higher ADG than C ones
(estimated marginal means: 0.361 kg/d vs. 0.299 kg/d, respec-
tively; P =0.066). T calves had a numerically better overall FE
of about 0.9 Mcal ME/kg BW gain compared to C ones. The
FS was not affected by the treatment while the T calves had
about 1.3 more respiratory afflictions than controls (P =0.048)
during the experiment.
Conclusions: Pre-weaned calves fed MR supplemented
with Saccharomyces cerevisiae boulardii CNCM I-1079 tend-
ed to grow with higher rates than control calves despite the
higher respiratory afflictions compared to untreated ones. This
was more evident during the second month of life, probably
due to better nutrient digestibility and better feed efficiency
utilization.
Keywords: Probiotic, milk replacer, calf, growth, health.

AH-18
Impacts of bronchopneumonia in dairy calves: results from
a systematic review and meta-analysis
Buczinski Sébastien1, Timsit Edouard2, Achard Damien2.
1
Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Canada; 2CEVA, Libourne,
France.
Objective: Bronchopneumonia (BP), also known as en-
zootic calf pneumonia, is one of the most common disease in
dairy calves. Surprisingly, impacts of BP on health and per-
formance of dairy calves have not been recently reviewed
and summarized. This information is nevertheless crucial to
increase awareness of BP’s significance and thus increase
adoption of management practices known to reduce BP preva-
lence.
The objective of this work was to quantify impacts of BP
occurring during the first 12 months of life in dairy calves on
subsequent risk of mortality and average daily gain (ADG).
Materials and methods: A systematic review and me-
ta-analysis of the scientific literature was performed following
PRISMA guidelines. PubMed and CAB Abstract databases
were screened for relevant studies that were published in Eng-
lish (until Feb 3rd, 2020). Only studies reporting naturally oc-
curring BP cases from birth to 12 months of age in dairy calves
in Europe and North America were considered eligible. Both
observational studies and randomized controlled trials were
included. Random effect meta-analysis models were used to
quantify impact of BP on outcomes of interest.
Results: From an initial pool of 525 studies, 13 studies
reported impact of BP on growth and 10 studies reported mor-
tality effect. In 1 and 3 studies, respectively a numeric effect
could not be included in the meta-analyses. Case definition for
BP differed among studies. Odds of mortality were 2.80 higher
(95% CI: 1.42-5.51; n = 9 studies) for calves with BP. Average
daily gain was decreased by 67g/day (95% CI: 34-99g/day; n
= 10 studies) in BP vs apparently healthy calves. Heterogen-
eities of the models were important but was improved when
accounting for adjusted (multivariable) vs non-adjusted (raw)
estimates and prevalence of disease in the study.
Conclusions: To the authors’ best knowledge, this sys-
tematic review and meta-analysis summarized for the first time
impacts of BP on mortality and ADG. Calves with BP had on
average 2.8 more risk of dying and grown ≈ 70 g/day less than
apparently healthy herd mate.
Keywords: Meta-analysis, bronchopneumonia, calves,
dairy.
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AH-19
Feeding pre-weaned calves with waste milk containing
antibiotic residues is related to a higher incidence of
diarrhea and alterations in the fecal microbiota
Martina Penati1, Giulia Sala1, Filippo Biscarini1, Antonio Boccardo1,
Valerio Bronzo1, Bianca Castiglioni1, Paola Cremonesi1, Paolo
Moroni2, Davide Pravettoni1, Maria Filippa Addis1.
University of Milan, Lodi, Italy; 2Cornell University, Ithaca, NY,
1
United States.
Objectives: Waste milk (WM) is a major by-product of the
dairy industry that includes low-quality colostrum, transition-
al milk, milk from cows administered veterinary drugs for the
treatment of mastitis and/or other diseases, milk with high so-
matic cell counts (SCC), and milk that cannot be marketed.
The large amount of discarded WM generates environmental
pollution and represents the loss of a valuable resource that
may serve as a good feed source for dairy calves because
of its high nutrient content. However, using WM for feeding
calves might expose new-born calves to infectious agents.
Moreover, residual antimicrobials may have a negative influ-
ence on the animals’ gut microbiota in terms of selection of
antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms as well as in terms of
interference with its proper maturation, by acting on specif-
ic taxonomic groups or by inducing long-term dysbiosis. The
constant antibiotic pressure exerted on the calf microbiota
by these residues may interfere with its physiological devel-
opment by selectively inhibiting specific phylogenetic sub-
groups and increasing the selection and transfer of antibiotic
resistance genes to the gut microbiota. Therefore, despite the
apparent economic advantages for the farmer, WM might im-
pair the correct physiological and immunological functionality
of the calf gut and favor the selection of antibiotic resistance
traits. We assessed the impact of WM on the correct develop-
ment of the calf intestinal microbiome by analyzing the effect
on intestinal health and on the fecal microbiota of calves fed
with WM in the first weeks of life.
Materials and methods: WM was assessed for nutrition-
al content and antimicrobial residue concentration by mass
spectrometry. The trial, carried out over 8 weeks, included
12 Italian Friesian male calves. After 3 days of colostrum, 6
calves were fed Waste Milk (WM group) and 6 calves were
fed Bulk Tank Milk (BM group) for 2 weeks. Then, for 6 weeks,
all 12 calves received a weaning diet of milk substitute and
starter feed. Every week for the first 2 weeks, and every 2
weeks for the remaining 6, we subjected all calves to clinical
examination and collected rectal swabs to investigate the fecal
microbiota composition by 16S rRNA gene analysis. Research
protocols were approved by the University of Milan (protocol
number 78_2018).
Results: The composition on WM and BM in terms of
SCC, fat, protein, lactose, and microbial inhibitors content was
as follows. WM: 450,000 cells/ml; 3.7%; 3.6%; 4.7%; present.
BM: 284,000 cells/ml; 4.23%; 3.60%; 4.97%; absent. At the
end of the trial, the two groups showed statistically significant
differences in both clinical terms, including reduced weight
gain and increased occurrence of diarrhea events in the WM
group, and in terms of fecal microbiota composition. Almost all
WM calves (5/6) developed diarrhea in the first 2 weeks (vs 1/6
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ORAL — Animal Health
BM calves). In the following 6 weeks, only 1 episode of diar-
rhea occurred in 1 WM calf. WM calves’ body weight was sig-
nificantly lower than BM calves along the trial. The 16S rRNA
gene analysis indicated a sharp reduction in the fecal micro-
biota alpha-diversity of WM vs BM calves, most significant at
Wk4 (p < 0.02), two weeks after exposure to WM. Beta-diver-
sity of the fecal microbiota was significant between time-points
(p = 0.0069505). As for the alpha-diversity results, significant
differences were observed between WM and BM calves at
Wk4 (p < 0.05). Based on the normalized relative OTU lev-
els, WM and BM calves showed significant differences at all
time-points. At the end of the trial, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes,
and Saccharibacteria decreased while Chlamydiae increased.
Significant changes were also observed in 7 classes, 8 orders,
19 families, 47 genera. Among the most relevant findings was
the general decrease of beneficial taxa, like Faecalibacterium,
vs an increase in other taxa and potential pathogens, includ-
ing Campylobacter, Pseudomonas, and Chlamydophila. Lac-
tobacillus and Lachnoclostridium increased, but since the first
was present in the milk substitute, its higher abundance in WM
calves might indicate a lower microbiome resilience.
Conclusion: In conclusion, these results suggest that
adding to the risk of increasing antibiotic resistance, feeding
pre-weaned calves with WM is related to a higher incidence
of calf diarrhea and relevant changes in the fecal microbiota
composition.
Keywords: Calf, gut microbiome, milk, antibiotic residues,
mastitis.
AH-20
Bovine besnoitiosis control plan: a two-year experience in
an extensive herd from the dehesa agroecosystem
Gema Alvarez Garcia1, David González Barrio1, Carmen Arrobas-
Domínguez2, Elena Mejías-López1, Carlos Diezma-Díaz3, Luis
Miguel Ortega-Mora1, Ignacio Ferre1.
1
Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain; 2Advacas
Extremadura S.L., Badajoz, Spain; 3SALUVET-INNOVA S.L., Madrid,
Spain.
Bovine besnoitiosis, caused by the parasite Besnoitia bes-
noiti, is characterized by local and systemic clinical signs. Cur-
rently, male reproductive failure is the major concern as breed-
ing bulls may develop sterility. The disease is widely spread in
Southwest Europe and is endemic at least in Spain, Portugal,
France and Italy. Moreover, new outbreaks have been recently
reported in Central and Northern Europe. Nowadays bovine
besnoitiosis is one of the most relevant cattle diseases in ex-
tensive husbandry systems. In Spain the disease is present
in mountainous areas in Central and Northeast Spain and in
the dehesa agroecosystems in Southwest Spain. The lack of
drugs or vaccines hampers the control, and it is a re-emergent
disease in Europe. In this context, biosecurity measures cou-
pled to an accurate diagnosis play a key role in the control and
should be adapted to the facilities and management possibil-
ities of the farm.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
104
Objective: The aim of this study was to implement and
monitor the efficacy of a control plan for two years (2018 and
2019) in a herd infected with B. besnoiti with a low fertility rate.
Management measures were applied based on an exhaustive
diagnostic protocol.
Material & methods: The herd under study is in south-
western Spain. It is fenced and covers an area of 3,000 hec-
tares including a hunting reserve of Eurasian wild board (Sus
scrofa) and red deer (Cervus elaphus) with Mediterranean
scrubland mainly composed by evergreen oak (Quercus ilex)
and cork oak (Quercus suber) and 800 hectares of dehesa
agroecosystem dedicated to extensive cattle farming. The
census initially included 154 crossbreed cows and seven
breeding bulls of the Charolais, and Limousine breeds and the
farm has its own replacement. At that time the herd fertility rate
was 36.7% and with a calving interval of 524 days.
Once B. besnoiti infection was confirmed in one male by
clinical inspection and serological analysis the whole herd was
serologically tested in March 2018. Initially a validated ELI-
SA test was used, and all doubtful animals were retested by
western blot as a confirmatory test. Replacement heifers were
tested at one year of age. The whole herd was tested again
following the above-mentioned serological protocol at the end
of the study in October 2019.
Results: Initially the intra-herd seroprevalence was
34.97% and six out of the seven (85.7%) bulls were seropos-
itive. Sperm quality was monitored in all bulls and a low con-
centration of sperm was observed in four of them as well as
defects in sperm motility and morphology.
Based on the diagnosis results obtained several control
measures were recommended:
i. Infected (seropositive) from non-infected (seronega-
tive) cows were separated and progressive selective
culling of seropositive breeding bulls and cows was
carried out. These seropositive animals were fattened
prior to the selective culling.
ii. Replacement cattle were tested at least twice.
iii. Artificial insemination was implemented in the se-
ronegative group for one year. In the meantime, new
breeding bulls were entered into the herd and sero-
logically monitored. Nowadays, reproduction manage-
ment is based again in natural mating with seronega-
tive breeding bulls.
As a result of these management measures implemented
for the control of bovine besnoitiosis all animals present in the
herd were seronegative to B. besnoiti at the end of the study,
the calving interval between 2018 and 2019 decreased up to
469 days and the fertility rate increased up to 76.7%.
Based on the results obtained it is possible to design and
implement effective control strategies in dehesa agroecosys-
tems since the regular health status monitoring of new entries
was carried out and the extension of these farms favour to
manage the herd into two separate groups to avoid parasite
transmission by direct contact. Other biosecurity measures to
maintain a closed herd recommended such as vector control
and the absence of contact with wildlife were not possible in
this herd. The inexistence of new seropositive animals could
be due to the lower frequency of vector borne cases and the
low relevance of this parasitic disease in wildlife (eg. wild ru-

minants) since they do not pose a significant risk for parasite
transmission to cattle.
Conclusion: This study represents the first successful at-
tempt to implement and monitor the effectiveness of a control
program for bovine besnoitiosis with an improvement of repro-
ductive parameters.
Keywords: Bovine besnoitiosis, extensive herd, control.
AH-21
Salmonella  enterica  isolated from dairy cattle in Uruguay
presents a diversity of antibiotic resistance genes and
mobile genetic elements
María Laura Casaux1, Bruno D’Alessandro2, Martín Fraga1.
1
Plataforma de Investigación en Salud Animal. Instituto Nacional de
Investigación Agropecuaria, Colonia, Uruguay; 2Departamento de
Desarrollo Biotecnológico, Instituto de Higiene, Facultad de Medicina,
Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay.
Objectives: The objective of this work is to study the pres-
ence and distribution of antibiotic resistance genes, plasmids
and integrons in Salmonella enterica of bovine origin from Uru-
guay.
Materials and methods: In total 75 isolates from the
collection of Plataforma de Investigación en Salud Ani-
mal-INIA-Uruguay collection were included. Forty-two isolates
were obtained between 2016 and 2020 from 33 outbreaks of
neonatal diarrhea and/or mortality due to bovine salmonello-
sis in calves that presented or succumbed to the disease with
bacteriological and histopathological diagnosis. The remaining
33 isolates were obtained between 2019 and 2020 from one
dairy farm with a history of bovine salmonellosis. Isolate sourc-
es included calves and cows’ feces, water and food for animal
consumption.
The genome of this isolates' set was obtained using Illumi-
na MiSeq in MicrobesNG (UK). The sequence reads were up-
loaded to EnteroBase. The isolates' serovar was determined
using the SISTR1+SEqSero2 scheme, and the sequence type
(ST) using the Achtman scheme. The assembled genomes
were then further analyzed using the tools ResFiinder 4.1,
PointFinder, PlasmidFinder 2.1 and IntFinder 1.0 from the
Center for Genomic Epidemiology (CGE) for identifying ac-
quired resistance genes, chromosomal mutations, plasmids
and integrons.
Results: In total, 31 isolates were typed as S. Typhimuri-
um (STy, 41.3%), 24 as S. Newport (SNw; 32.0%), 11 as S.
Anatum (SAn; 14.6%), 6 as S. Dublin (SDb; 8.0%), one S.
Agona (SAg; 1.3%); one S. Montevideo (SMv; 1.3%) and one
as IIIb61:i:z53 (1.3%).
For every serovar identified, only a single ST was present.
Every STy isolate was classified as ST19, SNw isolates as
ST45, ST64 for the SAn isolates and SDb isolates were typed
as ST10. Less frequent isolates SAg, SMv and IIIb61:i:z53
were typed as ST13, ST138 and ST430 respectively.
There was a high diversity of antibiotic resistance genes
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Animal Health
in the isolates collection. Every isolate carries the aac(6')-Iaa
gene that confers resistance to aminoglycosides. Within this
group, aph(3'')-Ib and aph(6)-Id were also frequently present.
Fifty-one isolates presented resistance genes for tetracyclines,
tet(A) was detected in 47 isolates while four carried tet(B). The
sul2 gene was present in 29 isolates conferring resistance to
sulfonamides. Interestingly some genes like aadA1, aadA2,
aadA17, floR and cmlA1 that generally are present in genetic
mobile elements were detected. The blaTEM-1B gene related
to penicillin was detected only in 7 isolates of SA and ST iso-
lates. Plasmidic qnr gene was carried by 5 isolates while 37
isolates had the parC_T57S mutation both conferring resis-
tance to quinolones. One SD isolated showed the mutation
acrB_R717Q to confer resistance to azithromycin.
Considering the presence of antibiotic resistance in all the
genomes, twenty-four were multi drug resistant (MDR). This
characteristic was only detected in STy, SA and SAg serotypes.
Among these, one presented antibiotic resistance genes for 4
groups of antibiotics and five for 6 groups of antibiotics.
All except five isolates carried at least one plasmid. The
most frequent plasmids were IncFII(pHN7A8), IncFII(S), Inc-
FIB(S), Col440I and IncI1. Forty-nine strains had 1 plasmid,
17 strains had 2 plasmids, and 4 strains had 3 plasmids. All
STy carried plasmids and the most frequent combination of
plasmids was Col440/ IncFIB(S).
Two class 1 integrons were detected in the collection.
In705, carrying aadA1 gene, was detected in two STy isolates
while In1363, carrying aac(3)-IId and intI1, was detected in
one SAn isolate and in one STy. These 4 isolates were MDR
and carried at least one plasmid.
Conclusions: The evaluation of the genome allowed us
to detect serotypes involved in the outbreaks with STy as the
most frequent. A wide distribution of MDR isolates was found
in the farm's outbreaks and environment. There was a high
number of isolates carrying genes that confer resistance to
aminoglycosides, tetracyclines and sulfonamides, antibiotics
that are widely used in veterinary practice in Uruguay. Most of
the serotypes detected in the collection could have an impact
on human health. This work represents one of the first studies
assessing the MDR genes in Salmonella from dairy cattle in
South America.
Keywords: Salmonellosis, dairy cattle, antimicrobial resis-
tance, genome, South America.
AH-23
Assessing the utility of leukocyte differential cell counts for
predicting morbidity, mortality and growth in a grain fed
veal facility: A prospective single cohort study
Taika E. Von Konigslow, David L. Renaud, Todd F. Duffield, Charlotte
B. Winder, David F. Kelton.
University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada.
Objectives: Automated leukocyte differential cell counts
(DCC) that can be acquired and analyzed quickly on farm may
be useful to incorporate into calf risk identification protocols
105
ORAL — Animal Health
at the time of arrival at a veal or dairy beef operation. The ob-
jective of this study was to assess the utility of DCC taken at
the time of arrival at a grain fed veal facility and 72 hours post
arrival for determining morbidity risk, mortality risk and growth
during the production cycle.
Materials and Methods: Data were collected at a veal
research facility in Ontario, Canada between June and Oc-
tober of 2018. A total of 240 calves were enrolled upon arriv-
al and a subset of 160 calves were revisited 72 hours post
arrival. Leukocyte differential cell counts were evaluated us-
ing the QScout BLD test for leukocyte differential cell counts
(Advanced Animal Diagnostic, Morrisville, NC). At the time of
arrival, all calves were screened using a standardized health
scoring protocol and blood samples were collected to evalu-
ate serum total protein (TP) and DCC. A second blood sample
was collected from the subset calves 72 hours post arrival to
evaluate DCC. Cox proportional hazards models were con-
structed for both morbidity and mortality outcomes. Mixed
linear regression models were constructed for the outcome
of average daily gain. Models were constructed in Stata 15
(StataCorp LP, College Station, TX).
Results: Results from data collected at the time of arrival
suggest that TP values greater than 5.1 g/dL reduce the haz-
ard of mortality (HR = 0.29, P < 0.001) and a rectal tempera-
ture greater than 39.6°C was associated with an increased
hazard of morbidity (HR = 1.48, P = 0.04). Calves that were
dehydrated gained less (-0.09 kg/d, P= 0.03), however, an in-
creased lymphocyte count was associated with calves having
a higher level of growth (+0.05 kg/d, P = 0.02). Results from
DCC collected 72 hours post arrival suggest that lymphocyte
counts between 4.8 and 5.8 x 109 cells/L decrease the hazard
of mortality (HR = 0.22, P = 0.03) and > 7.0 x 109 cells/L de-
crease the hazard of morbidity (HR = 0.56, P = 0.02), whereas,
neutrophil counts > 6.0 x 109 cells/L increased the hazard of
mortality (HR = 5.2, P = 0.02).
Conclusions: This study demonstrates that machine DCC
at the time of arrival and 72 hours post-arrival has potential for
use in calf risk identification protocols in veal and dairy beef
facilities. Further work to determine the effects of time post
transportation on blood leukocyte measurements in this pop-
ulation of calves should be performed to help determine the
best time to measure blood leukocytes post arrival.
Keywords: Male dairy calf, risk factors, biomarker, leuko-
cytes.
AH-24
Effect of over-conditioning on the hepatic global gene
expression pattern of dairy cows at the end of pregnancy
Osvaldo Bogado Pascottini1, Jenne De Koster1, Filip Van
Nieuwerburgh2, Mario Van Poucke3, Geert Ospomer1.
1
Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty
of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.,
Merelbeke, Belgium; 2Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology,
Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent,
Belgium., Ghent, Belgium; 3Department of Nutrition, Genetics and
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
106
Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820
Merelbeke, Belgium., Merelbeke, Belgium.
Objectives: Lipolysis in the prepartum has been linked
with liver dysfunction and systemic inflammation, which in turn
are associated with an increased incidence of postpartum clin-
ical disease. We hypothesize that over-conditioning is associ-
ated with excessive (basal) prepartum fat mobilization, leading
to steatosis and modifications in the global gene expression
pattern of the liver. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate
the effect of over- and normal-conditioning on the differential
hepatic transcriptomics profile of prepartum dairy cows.
Materials and methods: Ten non-lactating pregnant Hol-
stein cows were euthanized two weeks before expected calv-
ing. Body condition score (BCS) and backfat thickness (BFT)
were evaluated, and blood samples for non-esterified fatty ac-
ids (NEFA) were taken before euthanasia. After slaughtering,
liver biopsy samples were collected and frozen for further tri-
acylglycerol (TAG) concentration analysis and RNA sequenc-
ing.
Results: Five cows were classified as normal-conditioned
(BCS = 2.5–3.5) and five as over-conditioned (BCS = 3.75–5).
Regression models revealed that normal-conditioned cows
presented lower BCS (3.17 ± 0.10; mean ± SEM), BFT (1.29
± 0.29 cm), and serum NEFA (0.16 ± 0.04 mmol/L) in compar-
ison to over-conditioned cows (4.35 ± 0.21, 3.14 ± 0.43, and
0.38 ± 0.07 for BCS, BFT, and NEFA, respectively; P <0.05).
Hepatic TAG concentrations were not different between nor-
mal- and over-conditioned cows (4.63 ± 0.40 and 6.06 ± 0.44
mg/g of liver fresh weight, respectively; P > 0.05). Compared
to over-conditioned, normal-conditioned cows presented four
up-regulated (PLAC8, COL27A1, IDO-1, and MEP) and two
down-regulated genes (IGFVP-1 and CSE).
Conclusions: As expected, prepartum over-conditioning
(based on BCS) was associated with greater BFT and basal
lipolysis than normal-conditioned cows. However, hepatic TAG
concentrations were similar between prepartum over- and nor-
mal-conditioned cows. This was reflected in the low number of
differentially expressed genes between these groups of ani-
mals. All the differentially expressed genes were associated
with protein-coding. Normalized counts and fold changes of
targeted genes in KEGG pathways should be evaluated to fur-
ther explore the potential effects that over-conditioning may
have in the hepatic global gene expression pattern.
Keywords: Transition period, metabolism, lipolysis, tran-
scriptomics.
AH-25
Risk factors associated with total and pathogen-specific
immunoglobulin G concentrations in western Canadian
neonatal beef calves
Lisa Gamsjaeger1, Deborah M. Haines2, Ed Pajor3, Michel Lévy3, M.
Claire Windeyer3.
University of Zurich, Vetsuisse Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,
1
Department of Ruminant Medicine, Zurich, Switzerland; 2Western

College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, The
Saskatoon Colostrum Co. Ltd, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada;
3
University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of
Production Animal Health, Calgary, Canada.
Inadequate transfer of immunoglobulins from dam to calf
via colostrum is a challenge on cow-calf operations because it
negatively affects pre-weaning calf health and growth. There is
limited knowledge about risk factors for poor transfer of passive
immunity (TPI) and the specific antibodies being transferred to
beef calves via colostrum in the perinatal period under cur-
rent production conditions in western Canada. Thus, the ob-
jective of this study was to determine factors influencing total
and pathogen-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations
against selected neonatal calf diarrhea (NCD) and bovine res-
piratory disease (BRD) pathogens in the serum of newborn
beef calves. A total of 420 serum samples were available from
1 - 7 day old beef calves born on 6 farms in Alberta, Canada.
Samples were analyzed by radial immunodiffusion assay for
total IgG concentration and by enzyme-linked immunosorbent
assays for pathogen-specific IgG concentrations against Esch-
erichia coli (E. coli), bovine Rotavirus (BRoV), Cryptosporidi-
um parvum (C. parvum),  Parainfluenza Virus Type 3 (PI-3),
Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus (BRSV), and Bovine Her-
pesvirus-1 (BHV-1). Data collected about individual dam- and
calf-level risk factors included dam parity, dam vaccination
status, calving ease, birth month, calf sex, twin status, and
route of colostrum consumption (i.e., nursed from dam, bot-
tle-fed, or tube-fed). Multivariable multilevel linear and logistic
regression models were built to evaluate risk factors associat-
ed with total and pathogen-specific IgG concentrations, failed
transfer of passive immunity (FTPI; serum IgG < 10 g/L), and
inadequate transfer of passive immunity (ITPI; serum IgG < 24
g/L). Farm was included as a random effect in all models to
account for clustering at the herd level. Five percent (n = 20) of
calves had FTPI and 18% (n = 75) of calves had ITPI. Calves
born to heifers and those receiving colostrum intervention
(i.e., fed colostrum or colostrum product by either bottle or
tube) showed significantly lower total IgG concentrations (P <
0.0001). Calves that received colostrum intervention had high-
er odds of FTPI (Odds ratio (OR): 6.1, 95% CI: 2.0 - 18.9) and
ITPI (OR: 4.8, 95% CI: 2.1-10.8). Pre-calving dam vaccina-
tion was associated (P < 0.0001) with increased IgG-concen-
trations against  E. coli,  BRoV, and BHV-1, whereas PI3 and
BRSV-specific IgG concentrations were unaffected by dam
vaccination status. Vaccine practices varied greatly within and
between farms, and producer compliance with label instruc-
tions was inconsistent.  This study highlights the opportunity
for improvement of management protocols pertaining to dam
vaccination and colostrum intervention on cow-calf operations.
Keywords: Antibodies, immunity, colostrum management,
vaccination, beef cattle.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Animal Health
AH-26
Impact of total and pathogen-specific serum
immunoglobulin G concentrations on the health and
growth of western Canadian beef calves
Lisa Gamsjäger1, Deborah M. Haines2, Edmond A. Pajor3, Michel
Lévy3, M. Claire Windeyer3.
1
University of Zurich, Vetsuisse Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,
Department of Ruminant Medicine, Switzerland; 2Western College
of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, The Saskatoon
Colostrum Co. Ltd, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada; 3University of
Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Production
Animal Health, Canada.
Neonatal calf diarrhea (NCD) and bovine respiratory dis-
ease (BRD) are the most common calfhood diseases in beef
calves worldwide. Vaccination of pregnant dams against spe-
cific NCD- and BRD-associated pathogens and good colos-
trum management have the potential to increase the transfer
of those pathogen-specific antibodies to the calf via colostrum
and thus protect against disease during early life. However,
little is known about the associations of pathogen-specific
antibody concentrations and the risk of disease and mortali-
ty, as well as the impact of such antibody concentrations on
pre-weaning growth in beef calves raised under current pro-
duction conditions in western Canada. The objectives of this
study were to determine the impact of total and pathogen-spe-
cific immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations on the odds of
pre-weaning treatments and mortality, and on average daily
gain (ADG). A total of 420 serum samples from 1 - 7 day old
beef calves born on 6 farms in Alberta, Canada, were collect-
ed. Samples were analyzed by radial immunodiffusion assay
for total IgG concentration and by enzyme-linked immunosor-
bent assays for pathogen-specific IgG concentrations against
Escherichia coli (E. coli), bovine Rotavirus (BRoV), Cryptospo-
ridium parvum (C. parvum), Parainfluenza Virus Type 3 (PI-3),
Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus (BRSV), and Bovine Her-
pesvirus-1 (BHV-1). Data regarding pre-weaning treatments,
mortality, and birth and weaning weights were collected.
Multivariable multilevel logistic and linear regression models
were built to evaluate associations between total and patho-
gen-specific IgG concentrations and the odds of pre-wean-
ing mortality and ADG, respectively. Farm was included as a
random effect in all models to account for clustering at the
herd level. The impact of IgG concentrations on the odds of
pre-weaning treatment was established by univariable logis-
tic regression analysis. Receiving colostrum intervention (i.e.,
being fed colostrum or colostrum product by either bottle or
tube) significantly increased the odds of mortality (OR: 7.4,
95% CI: 1.7-31.6). Calves with FTPI and ITPI were more likely
to die (OR: 18.5, 95% CI: 3.7-93.4 and OR: 10.1, 95% CI:
2.6-40.2, respectively), calves with FTPI were more likely to
receive treatment (OR 7.9, 95% CI 2.7-23.7), and calves with
ITPI had lower ADG (-0.09 kg, SE: 0.03, P < 0.002). Calves
that were treated in the pre-weaning period showed lower
E. coli and BRoV-specific IgG concentrations at birth (P <
0.0001), and BRoV-specific IgG concentrations were lower in
calves that died in the pre-weaning period (OR: 0.97, 95% CI:
0.95-0.99). These results suggest a protective effect of E. coli
and BRoV-specific antibodies and highlight the importance of
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ORAL — Animal Health
increasing their transfer from dam to calf. Interestingly, neither
being treated pre-weaning nor any of the pathogen-specific
IgG concentrations were associated with ADG. This study
highlights the need to review and refine protocols with respect
to colostrum management on cow-calf operations to decrease
pre-weaning treatments, calf losses and improve pre-weaning
growth.
Keywords: Antibodies, immunity, pre-weaning infectious
disease, beef cattle, vaccination.
AH-27
Evaluating the Efficacy of Colostrum as a Therapy for
diarrhea in Young Calves
Havelah Carter1, Michael Steele1, Joao Costa2, Michael Nagorske3,
David Renaud1.
1
University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada; 2University of Kentucky,
Lexington, United States; 3Saskatoon Colostrum Company Ltd.,
Saskatoon, Canada.
Objectives: Diarrhea is the primary cause of morbidity and
mortality in dairy calves. Many cases of diarrhea in calves are
treated with antimicrobials, increasing the risk of antimicrobial
resistance, therefore, creating a need for alternative therapies.
The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of
feeding colostrum at the onset of diarrhea on growth and du-
ration and severity of the disease in pre-weaned dairy calves.
Methodology: At a calf-raising facility in Ontario, Canada,
calves were scored for fecal consistency twice daily on a scale
of 0 to 3 and enrolled into the trial when they had two consec-
utive fecal scores of 2 (runny or spreads readily) or one fecal
score of 3 (liquid consistency, splatters). Calves were then ran-
domly allocated to receive one of three treatments: 1) Control
(CON) (n = 35): eight feedings over 4 d of 2.5 L of milk replacer
at a concentration of 130 g/L (26% crude protein and 17% fat),
2) Short term colostrum supplementation (STC) (n = 35): four
feedings over the first 2 d of 2.5 L of a mixture of milk replacer
at 65 g/L and colostrum replacer at 65 g/L (26% immunoglob-
ulin G and 14.5% fat) followed by four feedings over 2 d of
2.5 L of milk replacer at a concentration of 130 g/L, or 3) Long
term colostrum supplementation (LTC) (n = 38): eight feedings
over 4 d of 2.5 L of a mixture of milk replacer at 65 g/L and
colostrum replacer at 65 g/L. Serum immunoglobulin G (IgG)
was determined at arrival to the facility. Body weight (BWE),
days to enrollment since facility arrival (DTE) and severity of
diarrhea (SDE) were recorded and a fecal sample was taken
to determine the diarrhea causing pathogens (PT) present at
enrollment. Daily health exams evaluating fecal consistency
were performed for 28 consecutive days after enrollment and
body weight was measured at d 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 14, 21, 28, 42
and 56 after enrollment.
Results: The median days for resolution of an abnormal
fecal score was 3.5 d (range = 0.5-11.5), 2.5 d (range = 0.5-
11), and 3 d (range = 0.5-7) in the CON, STC, and LTC groups,
respectively.
Using a Cox proportional hazards model, it was found that
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
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calves in LTC group had faster resolution of diarrhea compared
to calves in the CON group (Hazard Ratio (HR): 2.29; P = 0.01;
95% CI = 1.31 – 4.01). In addition, there was an association
between both DTE and BWE and resolution of diarrhea, where
calves who were at the facility longer prior to enrollment (HR:
2.29; P = 0.01; 95% CI = 1.56 – 5.45) and heavier at the on-
set of diarrhea (HR: 2.37;  P = 0.01; 95% CI = 1.23 – 4.56),
resolved diarrhea quicker. Moreover, calves with a fecal score
of 3 at enrolment took longer to resolve their case of diarrhea
(HR: 0.44;  P = 0.01; 95% CI = 0.28 – 0.70). The number of
types of diarrhea causing pathogen also had an impact, with
cases where no or one pathogen was isolated was associated
with a faster resolution (HR: 3.30;  P = 0.01; 95% CI = 1.62
– 6.68). In addition to a reduced time to resolution, improved
growth was observed in calves in the LTC group gaining 98 g/d
more than the CON group over 56 d following enrollment (HR:
0.98; P = 0.04; 95% CI = 0.01 – 0.19).
Conclusion: Supplementation of colostrum at the onset
of diarrhea was associated with a reduced duration of diar-
rhea and improved growth in young calves. This may provide
life-long benefits for calves diagnosed with a gastrointestinal
disease in the pre-weaning period. Due to the preliminary na-
ture of this study, future research is necessary to determine
the most practical and effective dose, duration, and timing of
this therapy.
Keywords: Morbidity, treatment, pre-weaned.
AH-28
Association between acute phase proteins and clinical signs
of respiratory disease in dairy calves
Rohish Kaura, Elisabeth Dorbek-Kolin, Marina Loch, Dagni-Alice
Viidu, Toomas Orro, Kerli Mõtus.
Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian
University of Life Sciences, Estonia, Tartu, Estonia.
Objectives: Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is a lead-
ing cause of morbidity, mortality, and antimicrobial consump-
tion of pre-weaned dairy calves. Assessment of clinical BRD
symptoms in field conditions impedes making inferences on
the presence of infection and inflammation and thus sets sub-
jective criteria for antimicrobial treatment. The acute phase
response (APR) is a part of host innate immunity and the first
response to infections and tissue damage, which causes sig-
nificant concentration revision in acute phase proteins (APPs),
e.g., haptoglobin (Hp), serum amyloid A (SAA), and fibrinogen
(Fib), in the blood. APPs have poor diagnostic specificity but
are considered very sensitive in detecting clinical or subclinical
inflammation or infection. So far, there is limited information
available about which of the respiratory disease signs better
predicts the infection and inflammation of the respiratory tract.
Therefore, this study aimed to identify the possible associ-
ations between different APPs with clinical signs of respiratory
disease in dairy calves under field conditions and to assess
their potential as a diagnostic tool complementing current BRD
diagnosis.

Materials and Methods: Sixteen large Estonian commer-
cial dairy farms with >400 dairy cows were included in this
study. At each farm, five clinically healthy calves and five
calves with clinical BRD signs in the age range of one to ten
weeks were selected. The following clinical parameters were
measured in each calf: rectal temperature (°C; 0 = < 39.0, 1
= 39.0–39.49, 2 = ≥39.5), respiratory rate (breaths/min; 0 =
<45, 1 = ≥45), nasal discharge (0 = no, 1 = yes), cough (0 = no
cough, 1 = yes), and demeanor (0 = normal, 1 = depressed).
Blood samples from the jugular vein of each calf were collect-
ed in EDTA tubes for Fib measurement and in serum tubes
for SAA and Hp measurements. From one farm, six healthy
calves were included, making for an overall sample size of 161
calves for SAA and Hp estimation. Fib measurements were
performed from blood samples from 11 farms, making for an
overall sample size of 110 calves. Serum Hp concentration
was determined using an ad hoc hemoglobin-binding assay.
Serum SAA concentration was measured with a commercially
available ELISA kit. Plasma Fib concentration was measured
using the heat precipitation method. Linear mixed-effect re-
gression analysis with farm as random intercept was used to
study the associations between the recorded clinical signs
and concentrations of APPs; separate models were built for
the three outcome variables Hp, SAA, and Fib. The final mod-
els were produced by backward elimination of the variables
from the original models. Age was controlled in the statistical
models, except for Hp, to avoid a possible confounding effect.
Pearson’s correlation analysis was used to identify the rela-
tionships between APPs. The modelling and the diagnostics
were performed using Stata/IC 14.2. Results were interpreted
as significant if p < 0.05.
Results: Clinical signs that were observed in calves were
diarrhea (62.1%), increased rectal temperature (≥39.5°C;
36.0%), increased respiratory rate (29.2%), nasal discharge
(16.8%), cough (14.3%) and depressed demeanor (5.0%).
Serum SAA concentration was positively associated with in-
creased rectal temperature of ≥39.5°C. Hp levels was posi-
tively associated with increased rectal temperature of ≥39.5°C
and presence of nasal discharge. In case of Fib concentration,
positive associations were found with increased rectal tem-
perature of ≥39.5°C, increased respiratory rate of ≥45 breaths/
min, and calves exhibiting cough.
Fib showed a moderate positive correlation with Hp (cor-
relation coefficient = 0.46) and SAA (correlation coefficient =
0.42) concentrations, whereas between Hp and SAA a weak
positive correlation (correlation coefficient = 0.32) was found.
Conclusions: This study found association between se-
rum APP concentrations and clinical signs of respiratory dis-
ease in dairy calves. Increased rectal temperature (≥39.5°C)
best represented the inflammation during respiratory disease
measured through elevated APPs. Calf-side tests for Fib mea-
surement could serve as valuable diagnostic tool to make
inferences about the presence of systemic inflammation and
to assess underlying tissue damage, thus aiding in treatment
decisions.
Acknowledgements: Authors are grateful to all the farms
and their staff that participated in the study. This work was
financed by the Estonian Research Council grant (PSG268).
Keywords: Acute phase proteins, respiratory disease,
dairy calves.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Animal Health
AH-29
Comparison of total protein, antibody ELISA and
electrophoresis as tests for failed transfer of passive
immunity in calves in a Bayesian latent class analysis
Laurens Chantillon1, Giel Schoenmakers2, Jozefien Callens3, Jade
Bokma1, Bart Pardon1.
Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population
1
Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent,
Belgium; 2Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent,
Belgium; 3Flemish Animal Health Service, Torhout, Belgium.
Objective: Failure of passive transfer (FPT), the insuf-
ficient transfer of passive maternal immunity to calves, is a
leading risk factor for many calfhood diseases, mortality and
growth retardation. The prevalence of FPT is generally high
and highly variable between farms. Regular monitoring of the
FPT status of the herd is an essential element of calf health
management. Direct tests (determining immunoglobulins) and
indirect tests (determining total protein as a proxy of immuno-
globulins) are available, among which total protein and brix
refractometry are most accessible and best validated. Radial
immunodiffusion (RID) is often used as a gold standard test in
North America, but likely no real gold standard tests for FPT
exists. Capillary gel electrophoresis and antibody ELISA are
offered in many European veterinary laboratories, but their di-
agnostic accuracy to diagnose FPT has hardly been evaluat-
ed. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the
diagnostic accuracy of capillary electrophoresis and a com-
mercial antibody ELISA for FPT diagnosis in a Bayesian latent
class framework with total protein refractometry as compara-
tive test.
Materials and method: In this diagnostic test study, 200
clinically healthy calves (dairy and beef) of less than one week
old were sampled for blood serum by practitioners through-
out Flanders (Belgium) with a maximum of five samples per
farm. Subsequently, on each sample, total protein and the
various serum protein fractions were determined by capillary
electrophoresis (MiniCap Flex Piercing, Sebia, France), and
serum immunoglobulin concentration was determined by ELI-
SA (Bio-X Diagnostics ELISA kit for Bovine Immunoglobulin
Assays, Rochefort, Belgium). Subsequently, Bayesian latent
class models in the statistical freeware program Winbugs
(version 1.4.3., MRC Biostatistics unit, Cambridge, United
Kingdom) were used to determine the diagnostic accuracy
of the three tests. For this study, an independent model was
used in which both an uninformed and an informed model
were run. In the first model, prior information on all parame-
ters was set at uninformative, beta(1,1). The second model
included informative priors on the prevalence FPT in Flanders
(18%), and the third model included informative priors on the
prevalence of FPT and the sensitivity (76%) and specificity
(89%) of 51 g/L total protein as a cut-off for FPT. Priors for
the sensitivity (76%) and specificity (89%) of TP 51 g/L were
estimated from a study of Buczinski et al. with 95th percen-
tile 60%. The priors were modeled using beta distribution pa-
rameters of the corresponding prior distributions (Epitools),
resulting in beta(21.1824;7.3734), beta(8.6849;1.9498), and
beta(2.3087;6.9619) for sensitivity, specificity, and prevalence,
respectively. All models were run with 200.000 iterations.
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ORAL — Animal Health
Results: All models converged, and the prior and posterior
densities of models 1 to 3 were very stable between models.
Also, the deviance information criterion values of the three
models differed minimally (<2). As the informative priors nar-
rows the parameter uncertainty, model 3 is expected to be the
most accurate. Electrophoresis showed the highest sensitivity
and specificity with 98.1% (95% credibility interval (CI) = 90.0
– 99.9) and 99.3% (95% CI = 96.1 – 100), respectively. To-
tal protein sensitivity and specificity were respectively 63.8%
(95% CI = 53.2 – 73.6) and 97.0% (95% CI = 93.4 – 99.0). The
sensitivity and specificity of the ELISA were 95.5% (95% CI =
88.1 – 99.0) and 74.5% (95% CI = 66.8 – 81.3), respectively.
Conclusion: Based on analysis of this dataset electropho-
resis appears a promising, near gold standard test for FPT,
which is readily available in many veterinary laboratories. Giv-
en the lower specificity of the evaluated antibody ELISA, we
recommend evaluation of antibody ELISA in a similar frame-
work given the large differences in diagnostic accuracy be-
tween tests that may exist.
Keywords: Maternal immunity, calf health, specificity, sen-
sitivity.
AH-31
Effect of serum total protein concentration on early life
health and growth of dairy calves
Victor Cortese1, Mark A. Kirkpatrick2, Thomas H. Short3, Brian
Voortman4.
1
Zoetis, Simpsonville, United States; 2Zoetis, Kuna, United States;
3
Zoetis, Parsippany, United States; 4Herd Health llc, Caldwell, United
States.
Objective: To assess the effect of serum total protein
(STP) concentration on the early life health and growth of dairy
calves. Materials and Methods A total of 39,619 neonatal Hol-
stein, Jersey, and crossbred calves from 15 dairy operations.
Calves arrived at a single calf-raising facility at approximate-
ly 2 days old. Each calf was weighed at facility arrival and a
blood sample was obtained the next day for determination of
STP concentration by refractometry. All calves were managed
in a standard manner, and health events were recorded for
120 days. A subset of 3,214 calves was weighed at 120 days
old, and the average daily gain (ADG) was calculated. Linear
mixed models were used to assess the effect of STP concen-
tration on specific health events. Results STP concentration
was associated with the incidences of death, diarrhea, pneu-
monia, and whether a calf received IV fluid therapy. In gener-
al, the incidence of adverse health events decreased as STP
concentration increased to 6.0 g/dL, plateaued at STP con-
centrations between 6.0 and 8.5 g/dL, and increased at STP
concentrations > 8.5 g/dL. Although STP concentration was
not associated with ADG, the ADG for Holsteins increased as
STP concentration increased to 8.5 g/dL and then decreased
at STP concentrations > 8.5 g/dL. Conclusion Results sug-
gested that, for neonatal dairy calves, an STP concentration
between 6.0 and 8.5 g/dL was optimal for health and growth,
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
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and calves with an STP concentration < 5.0 or > 8.5 g/dL
should be considered at high risk for adverse health events.
Keywords: colostrum, neonatal calf health, passive transfer.
AH-32
Eradication of Paratuberculosis from a Dairy Farm -
Following the Administration of Mycobacterium vacccae
Daniel Elad1, Inna Lysnyansky1, Rama Falk2, Shlomo E. Blum1, Limor
Weisbelith1, Inna Mikula1, Adin Shwimmer2.
1
Kimron Veterinary Institute, Bet Dagan, Israel; 2National Service for
Udder Health & Milk Quality, Caesarea, Israel.
Background: Paratuberculosis is a chronic enteric infec-
tion, primarily of ruminants, that causes significant economic
losses, caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratubercu-
losis (MAP). Young animals are at the highest infection risk.
To date, on-farm prevalence reduction is based on protecting
these animals from contact with the microorganism by hygien-
ic measures and by removing shedding animals, a long, ex-
pensive, and partially successful process.
Mycobacterium vaccae is has been reported to have im-
munomodulatory and immunotherapeutic capabilities, by ac-
tivation of the cellular immune system, of primary importance
in preventing paratuberculosis and its evolution to the clinical
stage. We have previously demonstrated the safety of the oral
administration of live M. vaccae to new-born calves.
Objective: Assessment of the impact of introducing M.
vaccae on the prevalence of paratuberculosis in a dairy herd.
Materials and Methods: Since some of the heifers were
found, in a previous experiment, to shed M. vaccae  and
thus expose eventual control animals to the microorganism,
a case-control study was not possible. Consequently, a “be-
fore-after” experimental design was implemented. In this mod-
el, untreated animals that lived on the farm before the onset
of the experiment served as negative controls. A dose of 1010
CFU live M. vaccae was administered, by gavage, to all heif-
ers on the farm, within 24 hours of birth and 2 weeks later.
The prevalence of paratuberculosis was assessed yearly by
milk ELISA (mELISA). Fifty percent of cows aged 3 years,
born within 3 years before the experiment’s onset, and all the
treated cows were tested, at the same age, by qPCR for MAP
shedding. Management improvements that might have had a
bearing on the prevalence of MAP were not implemented dur-
ing the experiment’s period. Paratuberculosis positivity was
not considered a reason to remove cows from the farm.
Results: The rate of mELISA positive cows was reduced
from 6% to 0% within 3 years and remained unchanged there-
after. 48.9% oh highly positive cows reverted to being mELISA
negative. Interestingly these cows were not treated with M.
vaccae but were likely to have been exposed to the micro-
organism from their environment. Due to the disrepair of the
dairy’s fencing, shedding heifers mingled with the adult an-
imals, thus exposing them to M. vaccae. The rate of qPCR
positive control cows was 2.46% whereas that of the treated
cows was 1%. Four years after the onset of the experiment

(October 2019) 2 control shedding cows, still on the farm, be-
came qPCR negative. The test cow continued shedding MAP
and was removed from the herd in December 2020 due to
infertility. One additional test cow turned mELISA positive in
February 2021 but did not shed MAP when tested in June of
the same year. The cow is still in the herd.
Conclusions: The results of this study, seemingly un-
precedented, indicate, pending further confirmation, that the
introduction of live M. vaccae reduces paratuberculosis prev-
alence to the verge of eradication conceivably resulting from
its immunoprophylactic and immunotherapeutic activity, in an
economic, safe, and straightforward manner, even without the
implementation of paratuberculosis mitigating management
measures.
Keywords: Paratuberculosis, Dairy Herd, Live Mycobac-
terium vaccae, Eradication.
AH-33
The effect of colostrum supplementation during the first
5 days of life on calf morbidity, enteric pathogens, weight
gain and immunological response
Anna Catharina Berge1, Pleun Penterman2, Iris Kolkman3, Geert
Vertenten2.
Berge Veterinary Consulting, Vollezele, Belgium; 2MSD Animal
1 trol calves compared to treatment calves. The specific serum
Health, Boxmeer, Netherlands; 3A7 Noord Dierenartsen, Drachten,
Netherlands.
Objectives: The objective of this study is to investigate
the preweaning health, performance, immunity, and enteric
pathogen shedding in calves supplemented with colostrum
from dams vaccinated against rotavirus, coronavirus and
Escherichia coli F5 during five days after birth compared to
non-supplemented calves.
Material & methods: On a commercial dairy farm, healthy
and viable new-born calves from vaccinated (Bovilis® Rota-
vec Corona) dams received at least 3 liters of colostrum from
their own dam in the first 24h after birth and were randomly as-
signed to the colostrum supplementation treatment (treatment
calves) or control treatment (control calves). The colostrum
supplementation treatment consisted of the addition of a liter
of previously frozen colostrum (from Bovilis® Rotavec Corona
vaccinated cows) to the milk replacer on the second day of
life and a half a liter of previously frozen colostrum to the milk
replacer on day 3, 4 and 5 of life. Control calves similarly re-
ceived once daily the same amount of supplement made from
skimmed milk with similar protein and fat composition as the
colostrum supplement. The daily milk intake and health pa-
rameters were monitored during the first week of life. Calves
were weighed at birth, on day 28, and at weaning (approx.
two months of age). Average daily gain (ADG) for the differ-
ent periods was calculated. Faecal samples were taken at 7,
14, and 21 days of age. Additionally, on the first day of diar-
rhoeal disease diagnosis a faecal sample was collected. The
presence of faecal pathogens was determined using a rapid
ELISA kit (rotavirus, coronavirus, Cryptosporidia, Clostridia, E.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Animal Health
coli F5). Faecal samples may also be evaluated for the mi-
crobiome composition when significant changes in the results
will be identified. Serum samples were taken at 1, 7, 14, and
21 days of age to determine serum antibody levels to bovine
coronavirus, rotavirus, and E. coli F5. Additionally, total serum
IgG concentration was determined in the sample taken on day
1 to evaluate the transfer of passive immunity. Outcomes were
analysed in multivariate statistical models controlling for calf
age, passive transfer of immunity status, parity of dam and
other potential confounders. In outcomes evaluating serial
measures on calves, a repeated measures design was used.
Results: The study is ongoing. Preliminary results are pre-
sented from 19 treatment calves and 21 control calves. The
passive transfer of immunity in all calves was adequate to
good and similar for both the treatment and the control calves.
Limited enteric and respiratory disease has not revealed any
significant effect of treatment on preweaning health in the
calves. The ADG in the preweaning period of the calves was
above 1 kg/day and no significant difference in ADG between
treatment and control calves in the first month, the second
month, or the overall preweaning period was observed. The
faecal samples collected on day 7, 14, and 21 of age were all
negative for coronavirus and E. coli F5. There was a non-sig-
nificant trend for more rotavirus positive samples in control
calves on day 7 and 14 of age and more cryptosporidia pos-
itive samples in control calves on day 14 of age compared
to treatment calf samples. Furthermore, faecal levels of clos-
tridia on day 14 of age were non-significantly higher in con-
antibody levels against rotavirus, coronavirus, and E. coli F5
were not significantly different between treatment and control
calves. It may be decided to do a faecal microbiome analysis
if significant differences will be found between treatment and
control group to see if prolonged colostrum administration may
have a positive effect on the microbiome and be an explana-
tion for the significant findings.
Conclusion: This study indicates a trend towards lower
excretion of cryptosporidia and rotavirus in preweaning calves
supplemented with colostrum from vaccinated dams.
Keywords: Prolonged colostrum feeding, calf health, im-
munity, enteric pathogens.
AH-34
Prevalence of tail injuries in German Dairy cows
Prisca V. Kremer-Rücker, Saskia Meier.
Hochschule Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences,
Triesdorf, Germany.
Objectives: Tail injuries especially often occur in fattening
bulls. Their prevalence increases, when beef cattle are housed
on slatted floors. The origin of tail tip inflammation and necro-
sis is often reported as technopathy, irritation due to manure
contact or itching followed by scratching, but also subacute
rumen acidosis and laminitis seem to occur in association with
tail tip injuries in fattening bulls. Several kinds of tail tip scor-
111
ORAL — Animal Health
ing systems already exist, foremost for fattening cattle. These
scoring systems include between 4 to 6 grades of severity, but
do not differentiate between different kinds of tail alterations.
In literature, prevalences measuring tail alterations in fattening
bulls range from 5% up to 90%. In dairy cows, prevalences
between 2.5 and 7.7 % have been reported.
Since tail alterations in dairy cows are not investigated very
well, the aim of this study was to develop a scoring system,
which covers different kinds of tail alterations detected in dairy
cows and could be used to phenotype this trait as a first step
towards animal health improvement. Secondly, histo-patho-
logical and clinical evaluations will follow to be associated with
the scoring group and grade of severity.
Material & Methods: Data collection started in Decem-
ber 2019 from a German 75 German Holstein (HOL) cows
dairy herd. All cows were examined every two weeks during
six months regarding any kind of tail alterations. The findings
were described and photographed. Data analysis resulted in
seven different kinds of tail alterations: 1. very tip of the tail, 2.
ring-like, 3. scurf, 4. swelling, 5. thinning, 6. axis anomalies,
and 7. verruca-like mass.
Hereinafter, prevalences for the observed tail alterations
were calculated based on monthly data collection from five dif-
ferent dairy herds: 3 HOL herds, counting average herd sizes
of 75, 300, and 1300, respectively; 2 German Fleckvieh (FV)
herds, counting 60 cows, each. All cows were housed in free
stall barns with conventional (HOL, FV) or automatic milking
systems (FV).
In total, 4443 Dairy Cows' Tail Scores were recorded. Data
preparation and analysis were performed using R version
4.1.2. Prevalences for tail alterations were calculated by di-
viding the number of observations within by the total number
of observations of each kind of tail alteration and was given
in percent. For calculating the total prevalence per breed and
farm, the occurrence of at least one tail alteration counted as
an observation, was divided by the total number of cows under
investigation and given in percent.
Results: The overall prevalence for any kind of tail al-
teration was 88% in German Holstein and 99% in Fleckvieh
cows; it varied between farms from 74% to 99%. Prevalences
for HOL and FV regarding alterations of the very tip of the tail
were 26% and 71%, ring-like alterations 24% and 30%, swell-
ing 26% and 42%, scurf 55% and 60%, thinning combined with
axis anomalies 16% and 21%, and verruca-like mass 10% and
21%, respectively. Number per tail ranged for ring-like alter-
ations and thinning/axis anomalies from 1 to 5 and for verru-
ca-like mass from 1 to 3.
Conclusion: During this study, high prevalences for differ-
ent tail alterations in HOL and FV dairy cows were found out.
The grouping of different alterations as described above can
be useful to phenotype tail alterations in dairy cows. However,
further investigations regarding pathogenesis, aetiology, and
genetics of the observed alterations in dairy cows' tails are
needed to understand their origin and impact on animal health
and welfare.
Funding: This research was funded by the Tönnies For-
schung, Rheda, Germany.
Keywords: tail injuries, tail necrosis, tail inflammation, tail
alterations, dairy cows.
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AH-35
Nutritional supplementation of a multi-strains yeast
fraction improves health and increases beneficial gut
microbiota of pre-weaned dairy calves
Clothilde Villot1, Edyta Kowalczuk-Vasilev2, Lysiane Dunière1,
Marine Gauthier3, Eric Chevaux1.
1
Lallemand SAS, Blagnac, France; 2University of Lublin, Lublin,
Poland; 3Lallemand BIO, Blagnac, France.
Objectives: High morbidity and mortality rates of calves
during pre-weaning period will dramatically impact the sustain-
ability of the farm. The reduction of the prophylactic treatments
in calves production has contributed to the development of
new microbial-based solutions to improve gut heath and con-
sequently production. The objective was to determine the ef-
fect on health of a multi-strains yeast fractions product (MSYF)
introduced to the calves’ diet during the rearing period (5-65
day of life).
Materials and methods: Thirty Holstein calves born from
late June to mid-November 2019, in a medium-size (500 milk-
ing cows) dairy farm in Poland were enrolled in the study. All
calves received the colostrum from the dam within 2 h and 2.5
L of transition milk, 2 times a day until 5 days of age. At enroll-
ment, 6 days-old calves, were individually housed and were
offered daily 8 L of MR, divided in 2 equal meals, in buckets,
at a dilution rate of 0.125kg /L, providing 4.6 Mcal metaboliz-
able energy (ME) /kg of dry matter (DM) (21.9% crude protein
and 18% fat). They had ad-libitum access to water and pel-
leted starter (3.55 Mcal ME/kg DM). Calves were randomly
assigned in the two experimental groups, designated as sup-
plemented (MSYF) and Control (C), stratified by dam’s parity,
gender and initial BW. Supplemented calves received 0.8 g of
a MSYF /kg of MR, diluted in the MR meals for the whole ex-
periment. Fecal consistency (scores) was scored daily by the
research team during the morning feeding using a 1 (firm) to 4
(watery) scale (Wenge et al., 2014). Two fecal samples were
collected at time = 10 days and time = 60 days of the trial for
each calf. Incidence of health disorders was recorded daily for
each animal. Every abnormal health condition such as fever
or bronchitis as well as every treatment (antibiotic, electrolyte
therapy) was recorded.
A linear mixed model was performed to assess the impact
of the supplementation on the different parameters measured.
Calf was used as random effect, sex, group, and sex*group
interaction were used as fixed effects and initial BW as a co-
variate. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS
v.25 and RStudio.
Results: No calves of MSYF group experienced respira-
tory diseases during the trial whereas 50% of the non-sup-
plemented calves had respiratory problems (P = 0.034). In
addition, the number of diarrhea cases was lower for MYSF
compared to Control group (2.2 vs. 0.9/calf respectively, P =
0.007) as well as the duration of the diarrhea case (5.6 vs. 2.9
days/calf respectively, P = 0.005). Consequently, a lower fecal
score was reported all along the trial for MYSF compared to
Control calves (1.6 vs 1.9 respectively, P = 0.002). Along with
those observations, a lower number of calves received a ther-
apeutic treatment in MSYF group compared to Control group

(18.8 and 62.5% respectively, P = 0.034), and the average
number of therapeutic treatment used for MSYF calves was
lower compared to Control calves (0.3 vs 2.7/calf respective-
ly, P = 0.005). Finally, less MSYF calves were supplemented
with electrolytes compared to Control calves (37.5 vs. 81.3%
respectively, P = 0.035). From a fecal microbiota standpoint,
MYSF supplementation in neonate calves increased milk as-
sociated bacteria (Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus) and benefi-
cial mucinolytic Akkermansia (stimulation of mucine produc-
tion, and immune system) which might have improved milk
metabolism compared to Control and optimize the nutrients
supply from this feed.
Conclusions: The overall health of pre-weaned calves
was significantly improved when they received daily a multi-
strains yeast fractions supplementation. Consequently, less
therapeutic treatment was applied to the supplemented calves.
This better health could be explained by an enrichment of ben-
eficial gut microbiota of supplemented calves likely involved in
a better valorization of the milk.
Keywords: health, prebiotic, yeast fraction, microbiota,
calf.
AH-37
Relationship between calf housing design and bovine
respiratory disease prevalence in pre-weaned Irish dairy
calves
John Denis Donlon1, Conor McAloon1, John Mee2.
1
University College Dublin, School of Veterinary Medicine, University
College Dublin, Belfield, Co. Dublin, Republic of Ireland; 2Teagasc,
Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark
Fermoy Co.Cork, Republic of Ireland.
Objectives: Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is a signif-
icant welfare and economic problem in housed dairy calves
internationally. While the type of housing, the environment
within and the management of that environment are signifi-
cant factors influencing the prevalence of BRD, the relative
importance of each of these risk factors is unclear. Hence, the
objective of this study was to determine the interrelationships
between housing type, housing environment, management
factors and the prevalence of BRD.
Materials and Methods: Spring-calving dairy farms (n=64)
throughout the Republic of Ireland were either randomly re-
cruited (n= 39) or referred as BRD problem herds (n= 24) by
Regional Veterinary Laboratories. Farms were visited in 2020
and in 2021;Each farm was visited twice: once one month prior
to the calving season to allow for installation of temperature
and relative humidity sensors in a calf pen, and a second time
during the spring period when the calf house was occupied.
At the second visit, housing type, environment, calf manage-
ment and respiratory health were characterised. To do this,
housing type was recorded and the dimensions measured,
Temperature and relative humidity sensors were recovered,
air samples were taken to quantify bacterial load, a survey of
calf management practices was conducted, and pre-weaned
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Animal Health
calves were examined.
To determine the herd-level prevalence of BRD in the calf
house, 20 randomly selected calves between 4 and 6 weeks
old were assessed in two ways. Firstly, clinical signs of BRD
were assessed using the Wisconsin Respiratory Scoring Sys-
tem. Secondly, a thoracic ultrasound (TU) was performed by
one veterinarian using a Linear 5 MHz ultrasound probe (Easy
Scan Go, IMV). Each calf was assigned a TU score between
0 and 5, with 0 indicating healthy lungs, 1 indicating diffuse
comet tails, 2 indicating patchy consolidation, 3 indicating lo-
bar consolidation, 4 indicating lobar pneumonia affecting two
lobes and 5 indicating pneumonia affecting more than two
lobes. A score 3 or greater was considered a case of TU-BRD.
An Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) model was used to inves-
tigate the association between housing type and the herd-level
prevalence of BRD as assessed by TU. As the distribution of
BRD prevalence within housing type was not normal, a Krus-
kal-Wallis rank sum test was conducted.
Results: In total, 1,258 calves were examined by TU.
Across all calves, the mean prevalence TU-BRD was 10%.
The minimum, maximum and median prevalence TU-BRD in
the 5 predominant housing types was:
1. Duo pitch (n=28) (Median Prevalence = 5%, Min = 0%,
Max = 45%)
2. Round-top houses with additional lean-to roof(s)
(n=12) (Median Prevalence= 15%, Min =0%, Max =
80%)
3. Mono pitch (n=10) (Median Prevalence = 7.5%, Min =
0%, Maximum = 30%)
4. Round Top (n= 9) (Median Prevalence = 0%, Min =
0%, Max = 10%)
5. Lean to (n = 5) (Median Prevalence = 0%, Min = 0%,
Max = 15%)
There was a difference in the mean prevalence of TU-BRD
cases between the different housing types (p < 0.05). The ep-
silon squared was 0.153 which is considered a medium ef-
fect size. A post hoc analysis relieved differences between the
mean prevalence of TU-BRD in round-top houses compared
to round-top houses with lean-to roofs (p <0.05), and between
lean-to houses and round-top houses with additional lean-to
roofs (p <0.05). However, when these p values were adjusted
using the Holm-Bonferroni method for multiple comparisons,
these differences were no longer considered significant.
Conclusion: The relationship between predominant calf
housing designs present on Irish dairy farms and BRD prev-
alence remain unclear. The wide variation in the prevalence
of TU-BRD between farms could not be solely attributed to
the design aspects of calf housing investigated above. Further
analysis of the temperature, relative humidity and air quality
data collected in this study may contribute to a better under-
standing of the interactions between calf housing and BRD.
Keywords: BRD, Housing, Envrionment, Thoracic Ultra-
sound.
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ORAL — Animal Health
AH-38
Effect of colostrum replacer fat content on thermogenesis,
calf behavior, health and growth
Ainhoa Valldecabres1, Michael Nagorske2, Deborah Haines2, Manuel
Campos2, Alfonso Lago1.
DairyExperts, Tulare, United States; 2SCCL, Saskatoon, Canada.
1
Objective: The objective of this study was to determine
the effect of colostrum replacer fat content on thermogenesis,
calf behavior and growth.
Materials and methods: A total of 58 Holstein female
calves were assigned to Control Colostrum Replacer (CCR;
colostrum replacer at 20% IgG and 22% fat) or Defatted Co-
lostrum Replacer (DCR; colostrum replacer at 20% IgG and
5.7% fat) manufactured by SCCL (SK, Canada). Calves were
tube fed CCR or DCR providing 150 g of IgG at 1 h and 100 g
of IgG at 12 h after birth. At 0 (before 1st feeding), 6, 12, 18,
24, 36, 48 and 60 h after birth, vital signs [heart rate (HR), re-
spiratory rate (RR) and rectal temperature (RT)], shivering and
posture (lying or standing) were assessed, and blood samples
were collected. Temperature data loggers were inserted into
the vagina and accelerometers were placed in the right hind
leg to evaluate lying behavior from 1st colostrum replacer feed-
ing to 60 h after at 2- and 1-min intervals, respectively. Body
weight and height were determined at birth, 90±2 and 127±6
d after birth. Disease treatment records were collected up to
the end of the study. Multivariable linear or logistic regression
were used for continuous and categorical data, respectively.
Results: Loggers’ temperature readings were higher for
CCR than DCR calves (38.81±0.03 vs. 38.76±0.03 °C; P =
0.04). Serum IgG and total protein within 60 h after 1st feeding
were lower for CCR calves [14.07±0.64 vs. 17.40±0.63 mg/mL
(P < 0.001); 5.04±0.07 vs. 5.30±0.07 g/dL (P = 0.01)]. Calves
fed CCR had higher body weight and average daily gain by 90
d of age [96.44±2.02 vs. 89.95 kg±2.06 (P = 0.03); 0.65±0.02
vs. 0.58±0.02 kg/d (P = 0.01)] and 127 d of age [139.75±3.27
vs. 129.14 kg±3.27 (P = 0.03); 0.81±0.02 vs. 0.71±0.02 kg/d
(P = 0.001)]. Respiratory disease incidence was double for
DCR calves (Relative risk = 2.00; 95% CI = 0.86 to 4.60; P =
0.09) (tendency). Thus, the incidence of respiratory disease
was 41% for calves assigned to DCR and 21% for calves as-
signed to CCR. Furthermore, a total of 2 calves assigned to
DCR vs. 1 calf assigned to CCR died during the study period.
Overall, no statistically significant differences were ob-
served for vital signs (RT, HR and RR), observed (shivering
and posture) and accelerometers behavior measures, height
and diarrhea treatments. Average RT was 38.78 °C, HR was
150.03 beats per min, and RR was 47.67 respirations per min-
ute. A total of 9 calves were observed shivering at 6 h, 3 at 12
h; 4 at 18 h, 1 at 24 and 60 h, and no calves were shivering at
36 and 48 h. Accelerometers’ data showed that calves spent
50 h and 55 min or 86.37% of the time lying down (also calves
were lying down 78.77% of the times when posture was ob-
served) and had 42.52 standing bouts during the first 60 h
after birth. However, when two influential observations defined
as observations with studentized residuals above |4| SD were
excluded, lying time was higher for DCR (52 h and 15 min)
than for CCR calves (50 h and 39 min); P = 0.04. Finally, di-
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
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arrhea incidence was 21% and calves averaged 97.79 cm in
height at 90 d of age.
Conclusions: In conclusion, feeding a full fat colostrum
derived colostrum replacer versus a partially defatted form had
a positive effect on thermogenesis, led to higher body weight
and body weight gain within 127 d of age, and may have had
a positive effect on respiratory disease, despite lower serum
total protein and IgG within 60 h after 1st feeding.
Keywords: Calves, Colostrum, Fat, Thermogenesis.
AH-39
Effect of dry needle acupuncture to reduce rectal
temperature in dairy cows using a single needle on
acupuncture point GV14 (Da-zhui)
Aurora Villarroel1, Yoojean Song2, Alice Nakasone2, Dana Tsuchida2.
Athyr Vet, LLC, Philomath, OR, United States; 2Oregon State
1
University, Corvallis, OR, United States.
Objective: To compare the effect of a single common-
ly-used size hypodermic needle on acupoint GV14 (Governing
Vessel 14) versus no needle for the reduction of naturally oc-
curring fever in commercial Holstein dairy cows.
Materials and Methods: Animals eligible for inclusion in
this study were lactating Holstein dairy cows with a rectal tem-
perature greater than 103.0 °F that were not receiving any oth-
er treatment or cooling interventions. Sample size calculation
to detect 1.0 °F difference (alpha= 5%, power= 90%) showed
the need of a minimum of 10 cows, when using the same ani-
mals as their own controls.
Animals with rectal temperature ≥103.0°F (Temp0) were
enrolled in the study and the control period of the study
started. After 20 minutes, temperature was measured again
(Temp1) and if fever persisted, an 18 G x 1.5 inch hypodermic
needle was placed on acupoint GV14 for 20 (Temp2). Rectal
temperature was measured again 20 minutes after needle re-
moval (Temp3).
The difference between the average change in tem-
perature within each cow during the control period (no nee-
dle, Temp1-Temp0), during the 20-minute trial period (GV14
needle, Temp2-Temp1) and 20 minutes post needle removal
(Temp3-Temp0) was analyzed by 1-sided paired t-test with a
level of significance of P<0.05, because acupuncture on GV14
was expected to reduce fever, never to increase temperature.
The question arose during the study whether longer dura-
tion of needle placement would have any effect on the drop in
temperature. Therefore, a second set of cows was enrolled,
where some retained the needle for 20 minutes and others for
40 minutes. Temperature at 60 minutes post placement was
compared by a 2-sided t-test for independent means with a
level of significance of P<0.05.
Results: In total, 11 Holstein dairy cows were enrolled in
the original study. Mean temperature difference during the
20-minute control period was + 0.04 ± 0.23 °F. Mean tem-
perature difference for the same cows during the first 20-min-
 ORAL — Animal Health

ute study period with GV14 acupuncture was - 0.37 ± 0.28

°F. Overall, acupuncture on GV14 decreased temperature by
-0.41 °F more than no intervention (P<0.001).
In the subsequent, 22 Holstein dairy cows were enrolled;
11 cows had the needle placed in acupuncture point GV14
for 20 minutes and 11 cows had it placed for 40 minutes.
Mean temperature difference 60 minutes after initial needle
placement was - 0.55 ± 0.43 °F for cows with a 20-minute
placement and - 0.08 ± 0.53 °F for the cows with a 40-minute
placement (P=0.045).
Conclusion: Acupuncture with a commonly-used size hy-
podermic needle on acupoint GV14 is an effective method of
reducing fever in dairy cows. The difference in temperature
change between animals seems to be associated with the
disease causing the fever (diagnosis) as well as the potential
duration of clinical signs (acute versus chronic disease).
Acupuncture is a viable option for reduction of fever in ani-
mals where pharmaceuticals cannot be used due to withdraw-
al concerns, adverse reactions, or organic farming limitations.
Additionally, acupuncture at GV14 can be a useful tool to help
stabilize patients while further treatment options are being ex-
plored and discussed with the owner.
Keywords: Acupuncture, fever, cows, GV14.

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115
ORAL — Buffaloes and Camelids
BC-01
Study on efficacy of anthelmintic drugs in German alpaca
farm
Luise Kultscher1, Barbara Hinney1, Ronald Schmäschke2, Anja
Joachim1, Thomas Wittek1.
1
Veterinary University Vienna, Vienna, Austria; 2University Leipzig,
Leipzig, Germany.
Objectives: Endoparasites are considered a major health
problem of South American camelids. Although prophylactic
and therapeutic measures such as application of anthelmint-
ics are commonly used, treatment efficacy is typically not
assessed. In a previous study a number of alpaca owners
expressed significant concerns regarding the efficacy of an-
thelmintic treatment; further imported animals from countries
with higher percentages of anthelmintic resistances may also
contribute to decreased efficacy of anthelmintic drugs. The
present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of anthelmintic
treatment with different anthelmintic drugs in German alpaca
herds.
Material and Methods: Overall, 617 samples from 538
clinically healthy alpacas >1 year from 27 farms (n=11-157
animals/herd) were examined. After initial coproscopic exami-
nation by flotation and strongylid egg quantification (McMaster
technique), animals with at least 150 eggs per gram faeces
were included in a faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT)
using fenbendazole (FBZ; n=71 samples), moxidectin (MOX;
n=71) or monepantel (MON; n=66) which are the most com-
monly used drugs in Germany.
Results: The most frequent parasites detected by flotation
were Eimeria spp. (75.1%) followed by strongylids (55.0%),
Nematodirus spp. (19.3%), cestodes (3.1%) and Trichuris
(2.7%). Pre-treatment larval cultures (n=23 positive pooled
farm samples) revealed Haemonchus (87.0% of the sam-
ples), Cooperia (43.5%), Trichostrongylus (21.7%), Ostertagia
(13.0%), Nematodirus and Oesophagostomum (4.3% each).
On average FBZ treatment reduced egg excretion by 45%,
MOX by 91% and MON by 96%. On the farm level, 13/18
farms that used FBZ, 6/6 farms that used MOX and 2/5 farms
that used MON had individual FECR values <90% (FBZ) or
95% (MOX, MON). Haemonchus and Cooperia were overrep-
resented on the farms with reduced treatment efficacy.
Conclusions: Gastrointestinal strongylids are common in
German alpacas and especially FBZ was not sufficiently effec-
tive to reduce strongylid egg excretion. Although the FECRT
could not unambiguously determine anthelmintic resistance in
the present study, the finding that small ruminant strongylids,
especially Haemonchus, are common in alpacas indicates
that determination of effective anthelmintic doses for alpacas,
monitoring of efficacy and adapted (targeted selective) treat-
ment regimens must be implemented as part of sustainable
deworming practices.
Keywords: Alpacas, endoparasites, antiparasitic drugs,
drug efficay.
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116
BC-02
Abortion in Alpaca and seroprevalence to Leptospira sp. in
a herd in Treviso, Italy
Matteo Cornaggia1, Luca Palazzolo2, Letizia Ceglie3, Laura Bellinati3,
Laura Viel2, Ernesto Pascotto4, Luca Zandonà4, Giovanni Trombetta5,
Luca Bano2, Alda Natale3.
1
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Padova -
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia ed Emilia-
Romagna, Brescia, Italy; 2Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Istituto
Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Treviso, Italy; 3Veterinary
Diagnostic Laboratory, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle
Venezie, Padova, Italy; 4Animal Health Veterinary Service, Unità
Locale Socio-sanitaria 2 “Marca Trevigiana”, Treviso, Italy; 5Private
Veterinarian, Paese, Italy.
Objective: Leptospirosis is a zoonosis affecting all mam-
mals sustained by Leptospira sp.
Leptospira is worldwide distributed due to its persistence
in humid environments and, to many asymptomatic carriers,
spreading the pathogen for longtime through urines.
Several studies conducted in South America on new world
camelids revealed a widespread seroprevalence to Leptospira
sp. rising from 6,5 to 89,6% with various serovars positivity
and different antibody titers (Rosadio, 2015).
Alpacas seem to not develop any clinical signs of leptospi-
rosis but only some reproductive disorders such as abortion,
infertility, and stillbirth (Tibary, 2006).
Materials and methods: In July 2021, a 9-month-old al-
paca’s abortion belonged to an educational farm was deliv-
ered to the Diagnostic Service of IZSVe, Treviso, Italy for di-
agnostic purposes.
Placenta, liver, kidney and lung samples were processed
as routine histological investigation.
Major abortion pathogens (Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus;
Chlamydia sp., Coxiella burnetii, Neospora caninum, Schmal-
lenberg virus) were investigated through molecular methods.
Investigations into bacteria were carried out on Campylo-
bacter sp., Salmonella sp., and Listeria sp., and the content of
abomasum was cultivated in standard bacteriological media.
Leptospira sp. was suspected as a cause of abortion.
A real-time PCR (rPCR) was conducted on DNA extracted
from lung, kidney, and spleen following the protocol previously
described (Smythe, 2002).
Urines and blood sera of all animals in the herd (3 llamas;
25 alpacas) were collected monthly from the beginning of the
outbreak (July, August and September).
Frozen sera collected on December 2020 (before the event
of abortion) for other diagnostic purposes were also analyzed
to compare the results obtained in July 2021.
Antibody titers were established by means of microagglu-
tination test (MAT; OIE, 2021) while urine samples were ana-
lyzed in rPCR.
Results: The carcass was partially mummified and a dif-
fuse hemorrhagic infiltration in organs and subcutis was re-
corded.
Histologically, a mild degree of autolysis was observed. Le-

sions were characterized by hemorrhagic infiltration in organs.
A necrotic placentitis occurred.
Molecular and microbiological investigations gave nega-
tive results, except for rPCR against Leptospira sp. that result-
ed mild positive in the kidney of the aborted fetus. The weak
Ct recorded in rPCR did not permit the sequencing of the am-
plicon.
The mother of the aborted fetus was tested for Leptospira
sp. antibodies resulting negative before and after the outbreak.
The serological study conducted to detect specific antibod-
ies against a panel of 9 pathogenic serovars (Grippotypho-
sa; Copenagheni; Icterohaemorrhagiae; Pomona; Canicola,
Tarassovi, Bratislava, Ballum, Hardjo) revealed a seroprev-
alence of 21,4%, 10,7%, 53,6% and, 28,6% to one or more
serovars at December, July, August and September, respec-
tively. The antibody titers varied from 1:100 to 1:6400; males
showed a higher seroprevalence (p 0,0219) and a higher me-
dian of 1:200 titer values.
The most frequent serovar detected was Icterohaemorrha-
giae; followed by Copenagheni, Grippotyphosa and Pomona.
No symptoms were recorded at any times, nor was ob-
served molecular positivity on urine.
Conclusions: Our work confirmed a probable pathogenic
role of Leptospira sp. in new world camelids in Italy, as sug-
gested by other authors in Europe (Rüfli, 2011).
Even if the rPCR on the aborted fetus gave a weak pos-
itivity and no bacterial DNA was detected in urine samples,
serological investigations allowed us to confirm the Leptospira
infection within the herd.
In absence of a clear seroconversion, it has been impos-
sible to date the beginning of the outbreak. Due to the high
persistent titers in the same subjects, probably the abortion
represented its final event.
In a public health vision, to limit the zoonotic risk, a par-
enteral antimicrobial treatment with doxycycline for at least 2
weeks was encouraged by the Public Veterinary Service in
combination with the official detention of the animals until a
sink in the antibody titers.
Male alpacas showed higher seroprevalence and a higher
median of antibody titers with respect to females, included the
one who aborted. In cows, it is known that chronically infected
subjects can remain seronegative, while very few studies were
conducted in bulls.
Although urine collection in alpacas can be challenging,
rPCR performed on this matrix is highly recommended to en-
sure the diagnosis. Authors intend to emphasize the complex-
ity of the diagnosis of leptospirosis and the need to combine
multiple diagnostic tools for a proper epidemiological investi-
gation to create management protocols that mitigate the zoo-
notic risk.
Keywords: Alpaca leptospirosis, Alpaca abortion, Lepto-
spira sp.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Buffaloes and Camelids
BC-03
Serum metabolomics assessment of etiological processes
predisposing ketosis in water buffalo through the 1H-NMR
spectroscopy
Enrico Fiore1, Anastasia Lisuzzo1, Luca Laghi2, Kevin Harvatine3, Elisa
Mazzotta4, Maria Chiara Alterisio5, Matteo Gianesella1, Chenglin
Zhu6, Barbara Contiero1, Vanessa Faillace1, Paolo Ciaramella5,
Massimo Morgante1, Jacopo Guccione5.
1
University of Padua, Legnaro, Italy; 2University of Bologna, Cesena,
Italy; 3Pennsylvania State University, State College, United States;
4
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro, Italy;
5
University of Napoli, Napoli, Italy; 6Southwest Minzu University,
Chengdu, China.
Objectives: The transition period is critically important to
health and profitability of dairy buffaloes. The metabolic adap-
tation to negative energy balance (NEB) induced by the con-
siderable increment of energy and nutrient requirements is still
one of the major concerns that may decrease the productivity
and predispose to different disorders. An inadequate metabol-
ic adaptation is characterized by elevated concentrations of
β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB). Nevertheless, a specifically BHB
threshold for dairy buffaloes is not established and dairy cows’
reference are often used. The metabolic processes can be in-
vestigated using the metabolomics approach, which reflects
the animals’ health status. The aim of the current study was
to use the metabolic approach, specifically with the 1H-NMR,
to assess the metabolomic profile of Mediterranean buffaloes
(MBs) to investigate the metabolic changes associated with
different levels of energy deficit.
Materials and methods: The current cross-sectional
investigation received an institutional approval by the Eth-
ical Animal Care and Use Committee of the University of
Naples Federico II (n.PG/2017/0099607). Sixty-two Italian
MBs were selected within the entire group of fresh buffa-
loes (< 50 days in milk) from a single high-yielding dairy
farm. All the buffaloes received a complete clinical exam-
ination before sampling to exclude clinical ketosis or other
pathological statuses. The blood samples were collected
from jugular vein into tubes containing clot activator to ob-
tain serum for biochemical and metabolomic analysis. Ac-
cording to serum BHB concentration, animals were divided
into two groups: Group healthy (Group - H) consisting of 37
MBs with a level of BHB < 0.70 mmol/L and Group at risk
of hyperketonemia (Group - RK) made by 25 MBs with a
level BHB ≥ 0.70 mmol/L. The statistical differences for bio-
chemical parameters and metabolite’s concentration were
performed by one-way ANOVA and Wilcoxon test according
to data distribution. A post hoc pairwise comparison among
metabolite concentrations was performed using Bonfer-
roni correction. A p-value<0.05 was accepted, whereas a
0.05≤p-value≤0.10 was considered as trend to significance.
A robust principal component analysis (rPCA), a partial
least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) with variable
importance in projects (VIP), and the metabolic pathways
overrepresentation analysis (ORA) were generated to sum-
marize the structure of the data and to highlight the meta-
bolic pathways influenced by BHB concentration.
117
ORAL — Buffaloes and Camelids
Results: Among biochemical parameters, only AST was
significantly increased in Group - RK. A total of fifty-seven me-
tabolites were identified in serum samples: 27 amino acids
and derivates, 9 organic acids, 5 alcohols, 4 carbohydrates, 3
amine and derivates, 2 fatty acids, 2 ketone bodies, 1 sulfone,
1 vitamin, 1 imidazole, 1 nucleoside, and 1 guanidine. Six of
the identified metabolites showed a statistically significance,
specifically: glycerol, taurine, and creatinine showed a signif-
icant reduction in Group - RK, whereas acetone, acetate and
3-hydroxybutyrate showed a significant increase. In addition,
six metabolites showed a trend toward significance: methanol,
proline, and glycine were reduced in Group - RK, whereas for-
mate, citrate, glutamate were increased. The rPCA analysis
failed to cluster groups, while the PLS-DA showed two cluster
principally related to acetate, 3-hydroxubutyrate, acetone, and
glycerol (VIP > 1.5). The ORA analysis identified five metabol-
ic pathways possibly responsible for changes in metabolome
profile: glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism; pyruvate
metabolism; glycolysis / gluconeogenesis; glycerolipid metab-
olism and taurine and hypotaurine metabolism.
Conclusions: Metabolomic analysis through ¹H-NMR is a
useful tool to achieve knowledge about metabolic profiling re-
lated to serum BHB modifications in dairy buffaloes. The met-
abolic state of our animals at risk of hyperketonemia suggests
an initial mobilization of body resources, subclinical inflamma-
tion and potential oxidative stress status, changes in ruminal
fermentations, influence on urea cycle and thyroid hormone
synthesis. This study demonstrates that the metabolomic ap-
proach identified potential relationships with the development
of subclinical ketosis even if the BHB concentration did not
exceed the threshold value.
Keywords: Metabolomics; Negative energy balance;
Mediterranean buffaloes; H-NMR; Ketosis.
BC-04
First detection of “Candidatus Mycoplasma haemolamae”
in alpaca (Vicugna pacos) in Italy
Giulia Sala, Gabriele Ratti, Vincenzo Ferrulli, Donatella Scavone,
Angelica Stranieri, Alessia Giordano, Antonio Boccardo, Davide
Pravettoni, Stefania Lauzi.
University of Milan, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal
Sciences, Lodi, Italy.
Objective: Candidatus Mycoplasma haemolamae is a
wall-less hemotropic prokaryote that infects camelids. To the
author's knowledge, there have been no published reports of
Candidatus M. haemolamae infection in alpacas in Italy. This
study describes a clinical case of Candidatus M. haemolamae
infection in an alpaca cria from northern Italy and the preva-
lence in its herd.
Materials and methods: A 2 month-old alpaca cria was
referred to the Clinic for Ruminants of the Veterinary Teaching
Hospital of the University of Milan for weakness and lethargy.
At birth, the alpaca cria was immediately rejected by their dam
and fed with artificial bovine colostrum (Locatim®, Boehring-
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
118
er Ingelheim, Germany) and pasteurized whole cow's milk. At
admission, the cria presented pale mucosae, tachycardia, and
moderate dehydration. The hemogasanalysis underlined se-
vere hypoglycaemia (1.1 mmol/L) and anaemia (haematocrit
17%, haemoglobin 5.6 g/dl). The complete blood count (CBC)
confirmed mild, regenerative anaemia. The blood smear re-
vealed numerous small basophilic coccoid structures attached
to the surface of erythrocytes compatible with Candidatus M.
haemolamae infection. In addition, parasitology examination
of the faeces revealed severe coccidian infestation. To con-
firm the presence of Candidatus M. haemolamae, a portion
of the 16S rRNA gene was amplified using a species-specific
real-time PCR on blood samples collected at day of admis-
sion and at day of discharge. Threshold cycle (Ct) number was
used as the measure of bacterial load (the lower the Ct level
the greater the amount of target nucleic acid is present in the
sample). Subsequently, the other animals of the entire herd
from which the primary case was detected were tested by re-
al-time PCR and by blood smear examination to investigate
the presence of Candidatus M. haemolamae (n=20).
Results: In the blood sample collected at admission, re-
al-time PCR revealed a high level of Candidatus M. haemola-
mae DNA (Ct 11.7). The cria was stabilized by administration
of a 10% glucose solution, iron dextran (5 mg/kg, subcutane-
ously once), B vitamins (10 mg/kg, subcutaneously once), E
vitamins, and selenium (0.05 mg/kg, subcutaneously once).
Furthermore, the animal was treated with long acting oxytetra-
cycline (20 mg/kg, subcutaneously, q72h for 3 treatments) for
the Candidatus M. haemolamae infection. By the third day of
hospitalization, the animal's clinical condition had improved.
Eight days after hospitalization, the haematocrit (30.1%) and
haemoglobin (11.7 g/dl) were also within the reference ranges,
and the alpaca was discharged. The blood smear, performed
on the day of discharge, did not show the presence of Candi-
datus M. haemolamae whereas real-time PCR was still posi-
tive, showing lower DNA levels (Ct 24.7) compared to the first
blood sample. Anticoccidial therapy was set at discharge with
sulfadimethoxine (110 mg/kg, orally, q 24 h for 10 days).
A 65% (13/20) Candidatus M. haemolamae real-time PCR
positivity was reported in the other animals of the herd, with
Ct values ranging from 16.4 to 32. A poor agreement between
PCR result and smear examination was observed. The dam of
the cria showed positive molecular results. An overall 66.7%
(14/21) prevalence was observed in the herd, including the
alpaca cria. No animal other than the cria had clinical manifes-
tations correlated to the infection.
Conclusion: This study reports the first identification of
Candidatus M. haemolamae in Italy. As shown in other stud-
ies, clinical infection was observed in a young animal, and fur-
ther parasitic infestations (such as coccidiosis) were associat-
ed with Candidatus M. hemolamae infection. Treatment with
oxytetracycline during Candidatus M. hemolamae infection
was valid only for symptom remission, but the alpaca cria con-
tinued to be PCR positive after treatment, in accordance with
previous observations on treatment in positive alpaca. Despite
the very high prevalence of Candidatus M. haemolamae, most
infected alpacas did not show clinical abnormalities. The ab-
sence of maternal colostrum intake suggests that the cria was
not infected by colostrum. Further investigations are needed to
assess the transmission dynamics of Candidatus M. haemola-
mae in Italian alpaca herds.

Keywords: Alpaca, Candidatus Mycoplasma haemola-
mae, Anaemia.
BC-05
Improving the embryo developmental competence and
success of in vitro produced calves during hot season in
Buffalo
Omaima Kandil1, Ragab Dohreig2, Ahmed Abdoon3, Esraa Esmail3,
Hosam Tawfik3, Ahmed Shaban3, Emilie Corbin4, Pascal Mermillod4.
1
National Research centre, Cairo, Egypt; 2Haram Institute of
Reproduction, Giza, Egypt; 3National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt;
4
INRA institute, Tours, France.
Heat stress is a major problem for animal breeding in
tropical and equatorial area as well as in the Mediterranean
countries. This translates into several pathologies and high
rates of reproductive failure through early embryonic loss in
buffalo. The present work was conducted to investigate:1) Ef-
fect of cold and hot season in the oocyte quality and in vitro
embryo development competence of buffalo cultured in buffalo
oviduct epithelial cell (BOEC).2) Effect of heat stress (41◦C)
& IGF during in vitro oocyte maturation in oocyte maturation
rate and embryo developmental competence.3)Transfer of in
vitro produced embryo during hot season to Egyptian buffalo.
Egyptian buffalo’s ovaries were collected during hot (June-Au-
gust) and cold (December-February) season from abattoir.
Oocytes were classified to Excellent (Ex), Good (G), Fair (F),
Denuded (D). EX and G oocytes were matured in in-vitro mat-
uration medium (IVM) (TCM-199+ 10% FCS + 10 µg/ml FSH+
10 ng/ml EGF+ 50 µg/ml gentamicin (gn) for 22 h in 38.5C
and 5% CO2. The matured oocytes (1st pb) fertilized using Fro-
zen – thawed buffalo semen, for 18 hours incubation. Zygotes
cultured in SOFM + 10% FCS, 5 µg/ml insulin and 50 µg /ml
gentamicin, with or without BOEC and incubated for 8 days.
2) Ex & G oocytes IVM in TCM-199 + 10% FCS+ 10 µg/ml
FSH + 10 ng/ml IGF + 50 µg/ml, for 41◦C /1hr- then 38.5◦C vs.
38.5◦C incubation for 22 hours. Then matured oocytes were
fertilized and cultured as described before. Blastocyst were
Fixed for cell counting to validate the quality of blastocyst. 3)
Non-surgical embryo transfer during hot season in National
Research Centre farm, Fresh Two in-vitro produced embryos
(IVM,TCM+IGF, cultured in BOEC) were transferred to each
buffaloes came in natural oestrus (buffalo number=5).Preg-
nancy diagnosis after 40 days from transfer. Results, Oocytes
were collected from (349) buffalo ovaries giving an average of
2.4 oocytes/ovary (range 1.8 – 3.0 oocytes/ovary).There were
highly significant (P<0.01) differences in the recovery rate of
total oocytes between the two seasons, cold and hot season
(3.02% ± 005 and 1.76% ± 0.05 respectively). Analysis of qual-
ity of buffalo oocytes revealed that, there were highly signifi-
cant (P<0.01) differences in the mean % ± SE of excellent and
good quality oocytes between the two seasons cold (38.63%
± 0.5, 51.35±0.50 resp.) and hot (11.29% ± 0.64, 21.37±0.74
resp.). While, fair and denuded oocytes increased with higher
significant differences (P< 0.01) in summer (58.45% ± 0.86)
when compared with the cold (9.86% ± 0.23). Maturation rate
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Buffaloes and Camelids
(85- 84 %), cleavage rate (75-71 %), blastocyst rate (33- 2%)
were significantly higher (P<0.1, P<0.5) in cold tempera-
ture when compared with hot temperature season, in range
71-70%, 63-60 % and 22-17 respectively. In vitro culture of
embryo using BOEC vs. without BOEC significantly increase
the blastocyst rate either in cold (33 vs. 27 %) or hot temper-
ature (22 vs. 17 %). The cell number of the blastocyst was
significantly higher (P<0.1) in the cold temperature (mean=
106-90) when compared with hot temperature (80-60) and
in vitro culturing in BOEC significantly increase (P<0.1) the
blastocyst cell number either in cold or hot season. Effect of
heat stress 41◦C during in vitro oocyte maturation on in vitro
embryo developmental competence in buffalo. Higher temper-
ature 41◦C for one hour during in vitro oocyte maturation in
buffalo significantly (P<0.01) decreased the mean ± SD and
rate of maturation (32±3.79, 51), cleavage (16.5±2.65, 26) and
blastocyst (13.5±2.65, 22), when compared with in vitro oo-
cyte maturation in 38.5◦C (77.50±7.46, 87%, 42.67±2.52, 72%
and 37.00±5.03, 41% respectively). Non- Surgical transfer of
in vitro produced fresh buffalo embryos to five buffalos (day 6
of natural oestrus), pregnancy and calving of two calves (2/5,
40% Emy & Medo) with 42 kg body wright.
In conclusion: Heat stress either during hot season (sum-
mer) or through experimental rise temperature during in vitro
maturation of buffalo oocytes significantly decrease the in vitro
oocyte competence and blastocyst rate. Supplementation of
IGF in in vitro maturation medium and co-culture of in vitro
fertilized oocytes using BOEC decreased effect of heat stress
and improved in vitro embryo production of buffalo. Success
of calving of two calves (EMY& Medo) through transfer of
IVP buffalo embryos matured in TCM+IGF during hot season
(summer).
Keywords: Buffalo, season, BOEC, embryo, ET.
BC-06
Herd, buffalo, and quarter specific prevalence and risk
factors of subclinical mastitis in water buffaloes of
Bangladesh
Shuvo Singha1, Gerrit Koop2, Momena Khatun3, Fabrizio Ceciliani1,
Sofia Boqvist4, Marjolein Derks5, Md. Ahasanul Hoque6, Mohammed
Kawser Hossain7, Md. Mizanur Rahman6, Ylva Persson8.
1
Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Università degli
Studi di Milano, Via dell’Univesrità 6, Lodi, 26900, Italy, Lodi, Italy;
2
Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary
Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 7, 3584 CL, Utrecht, The
Netherlands, Utrecht, Netherlands; 3Veterinary Physiology, University
of Bern, Bremgartenstrasse 109a, 3012 Bern, Switzerland, Bern,
Switzerland; 4Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary
Public Health, Division of Bacteriology and Food Safety, The
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, BVF, Bakteriologi och
livsmedelssäkerhet, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden, Uppsala, Sweden;
5
Farm Technology Group, Wageningen University and Research,
Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands,
Wageningen, Netherlands; 6Department of Medicine and Surgery,
Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chattogram
4225, Bangladesh, Chattogram, Bangladesh; 7Department of Surgery
119
ORAL — Buffaloes and Camelids
and Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical
Sciences, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet-3100, Bangladesh,
Sylhet, Bangladesh; 8National Veterinary Institute, 751 89 Uppsala,
Sweden, Uppsala, Sweden.
Objectives: Subclinical mastitis (SCM) in water buffaloes
is a prevalent production disease responsible for reduced milk
yield with compromised milk quality. The risk factors for SCM
in water buffaloes are largely unknown since little information
is available in this species. The study objectives, therefore,
were to i) estimate the prevalence of SCM in water buffalo at
quarter and buffalo-level; ii) identify the quarter the risk factors
associated with SCM at quarter and buffalo-level, and iii) de-
termine risk factors for high bulk milk somatic cell count (BM-
SCC) at the herd-level.
Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was
carried out between February 2020 and April 2021 and includ-
ed individual lactating water buffaloes or buffalo herds belong-
ing to17 buffalo concentrated sub-districts in Bangladesh (11
coastal and semi-coastal districts regions). The buffalo herds
represented five different production systems: bathan (n = 51),
semi-bathan (n = 106), households (n = 33), semi-intensive
(n = 54), and intensive (n = 4). The native name “bathan” is
used to define solely grazing-dependent free-ranging system
in remote islands while “semi-bathan” implies to the partial
stay at household when feed source is very limited in islands.
Herd-level and buffalo-level data were collected using a struc-
tured questionnaire. Milk samples were collected on a herd
basis (average 1-5 buffaloes/herd) from the bathan, semi-
bathan, household, and semi-intensive production system and
all individual buffaloes of the intensive production system. A
total of 3,491 functional quarters of 880 lactating buffaloes of
248 herds were included in the study. A buffalo was consid-
ered positive for SCM if any functional quarter was tested pos-
itive in California mastitis test (CMT) score ≥2 (1 to 5 scale)
and no signs of clinical mastitis (CM). The composite milk mix-
ture (n = 242) collected in the morning was used for herd-level
BMSCC using a portable DeLaval cell counter. Quarter and
buffalo-level risk factors for SCM were identified using two
sets of univariable and multivariable logistic generalized linear
mixed-effects models, with random buffalo and herd effects.
Population averaged beta estimates or cluster-specific esti-
mates were used to calculate odds ratios (OR) for different risk
factors depending on whether these effects happen at quarter
or buffalo level. The linear regression model was used to link
the herd-level data for the identification of the risk factors of
BMSCC. The significant (P≤0.05) variables from multivariable
regression models were considered as the risk factors of SCM
at quarter or buffalo level and BMSCC at the herd-level.
Results: The prevalence of SCM was 27% (95% C.I.
25-28) at quarter-level and 50% (95% C.I. 47-54) at buffa-
lo-level. Out of 17 analyzed variables two (e.g., rearing sys-
tem and quarter position) were associated with quarter-level
SCM, and three (e.g., teat symmetry, previous history of CM,
and the number of milkers) were associated with buffalo-lev-
el SCM. For quarter level SCM, intensive buffalo rearing sys-
tem (OR, 6.6, 95% C.I. 2.2-19.6; P < 0.001) had a greater risk
than bathan system; and left quarters had a greater risk than
right quarters (OR, 0.8, 95% C.I. 0.6-0.9; P = 0.006). There
was a greater risk of asymmetric teat position (OR, 1.8, 95%
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
120
C.I. 1.3-2.4; P <0.001) than symmetric teats; previous occur-
rence of CM in last 12 months (OR, 3.1, 95% C.I. 1.2-8.0; P =
0.02) than no occurrence; hand milking performed by single
milker (OR, 1.5, 95% C.I. 1.2-2.1; P = 0.005) than multiple
milkers for buffalo-level SCM. In the herds, the BMSCC were
lower in swamp-type buffalo than river-type buffalo; when
caretakers were more experienced; and milking performed in
full hand with occasional stripping or knuckling than full hand
only (all, P < 0.05). Intensive rearing systems (P = 0.08) had
a higher BMSCC (435,000 cells/mL) than any other rearing
systems.
Conclusions: The water buffaloes in Bangladesh have a
high prevalence of SCM where risks are associated with the
rearing system, teat symmetry, teat position, and milking per-
formed by a single milkman. The fact that several manageable
risk factors were identified suggests that effective buffalo ud-
der health control strategies can be designed.
Keywords: Water buffalo, SCC, CMT, risk factor.
BC-07
Comparative Efficacy of Herbal, Oral and Injectable
Anthelmintics against Toxocara vitulorum infestation in
Nili-Ravi buffalo calves
Muhammad Avais, Mohammad Qasim.
Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary and
Animal Sciences, Lahore, Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jillani (Outfall) road
Lahore, Pakistan.
Objectives: Parasitic infections are major constraint of
large ruminant production and causes colossal economic loss
to dairy industry. Among these Toxocara vitulorum is most im-
portant infecting calves in tropical and subtropical climates.
It is responsible for retarded growth, low productivity and in-
creased susceptibility of animals to other infections. Present
study was accomplished to evaluate the comparative efficacy
of herbal, oral and injectable anthelmintics against Toxocara
vitulorum infestation in Nili-Ravi buffalo calves.
Material & Methods: For this 24 buffalo calves positive for
T. vitulorum were randomly divided into 4 groups of 6 viz. A,
B, C and D. Calves in group A were treated with Albendazole
at 10 mg/ kg PO while the calves in group B were given Le-
vamisole at 8 mg/kg PO. The animals in group C were treated
with Doramectin at 0.2 mg/ kg SC whereas calves in group
D were given Chenopodium album (herb) 2g/kg PO. All the
treatments were given once. Eggs per gram (EPG) of calves
in each group was determined at days 0 (pre-treatment) and
then at day 4, 7, 14, and 21 (post-treatment). Efficacy of partic-
ular treatment was calculated on the basis of fecal egg count
reduction test (FECRT).
Results: At day 4 (post-treatment), fecal egg reduction
in groups A, B C and D was 59.67%, 48.79%, 39.82% and
1.82%, respectively. At day 7, fecal egg reduction in groups A,
B C and D was 98.43%, 82.50%, 73.0% and 3.5%, respective-
ly while at day 14 fecal egg reduction was 100.00 %, 98.25%,
95.95% and 6.7% in groups A, B, C and D, respectively. While
 ORAL — Buffaloes and Camelids

100.00% fecal egg reduction was recorded in group A, B and

C on day 21 (post-treatment).
Conclusion: It was concluded that oral wormers ( alben-
dazole, levamisole) and injectable wormers (doramectin) are
equally effective in treating T. vitulorum infestation in buffalo
calves while Chenopodium herb is not effective to treat T. vitu-
lorum in buffalo calves.
Keywords: Albendazole, doramectin, herb, buffalo,
calves.

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ORAL — Biotechnology
BT-01
Post ovulation plasma progesterone concentrations in beef
cows treated with 2000 IU of eCG or synthetic eCG-like
glycoprotein
Maria Gracia Moscoso1, Lucas Cutaia2, Mariano Aviles1, Leonel
Alisio1, Ignacio Videla Dorna2, Dolores Moreno1.
Universidad Católica de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina; 2Syntex SA,
1
Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Objetive: Equine chorionic gonadatrophin (eCG) has been
used for more than 50 years in reproductive management sev-
eral species. The use of natural eCG is currently under review
due to the natural origin of the product and animal welfare is-
sues associated with its production. Thus, we have developed
a synthetic substitute. The objective of this study is to compare
the levels of progesterone (P4) on days 4 and 7 after ovula-
tion in superovulated cows using 2000 IU of eCG or synthetic
eCG-like glycoprotein based on the fact that treatment with
native eCG increases circulating progesterone concentrations
in the subsequent luteal phase after treatment.
Materials and methods: Fourteen cyclic Angus/Hereford
cows, 3 to 5 years of age were used. The trial was conducted
in two periods in a crossover design (Periods 1 and 2). All
cows were treated on Day 0 of treatment with an intravaginal
device (DIB, 1 gram progesterone, Syntex, Argentina) plus 2
mg im of estradiol benzoate (Gonadiol, Syntex). On Day 4,
cows were divided into two groups and received 2000 IU im
of eCG (Novormon, Syntex; eCG group; n = 13) or 2000 IU im
of synthetic eCG-like glycoprotein (Syntex; eCG-like group; n
= 14). On Days 6.5 and 7, 500µg im of Cloprostenol sodium
(Cyclase, Syntex) was administered. On Day 7, DIB devices
were removed and on Day 8, 100µg im of Gonadorelin ace-
tate (Gonasyn, Syntex) was administered. Twenty-seven days
after the end of Period 1, cows were treated with the same
protocol in Period 2, except that cows in the eCG group were
treated with eCG-like and cows in the eCG-like group were
treated with eCG.
The animals were scanned by transrectal ultrasonography
(Chison 500; 7.5 MHz, Doppler) on Day 8 of treatment and all
follicles > 8 mm diameter (pre-ovulatory) were recorded. Daily
ultrasound examinations were continued until Day 11 to deter-
mine the number of ovulations, defined as the disappearance
of follicles larger than 8 mm present in the previous examina-
tion. On day 14 and 17 of the treatment (4 and 7 days post
ovulation) plasma samples were obtained, and were analyzed
for the concentration of P4 using (Elecsys P4 III Roche as-
say in the Cobas 8000 e602 Roche). The average number of
follicles > 8 mm on Day 8, the number of ovulations between
Days 8 and 11 and the P4 concentrations were compared by
ANOVA.
Results: No differences were found in number of follicles
> 8 mm on Day 8 (eCG group - 14.5 ± 2.33 vs eCG-like group
- 15.0 ± 1.94; P = 0.9) or in number of ovulations (eCG group
- 13.7 ± 2.54 vs eCG-like group - 13.3 ± 1.79; P = 0.83; Pub-
lished in ICAR, 2020; Bologna, Italy).
There was no effect of Period (P = 0.96) or Period*Group
interaction (P = 0.17) for P4 levels. No differences were found
in P4 levels on Day 14 (eCG group - 45.92 ± 8.67 vs eCG-
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
122
like group - 49.66 ± 8.40; P=0.71) or in P4 levels on Day 17
(eCG group - 76.45 ± 16.29 vs eCG-like group 77.73 ± 18.54;
P=0,89).
Conclusions: We conclude that the synthetic eCG-like
glycoprotein has the same biological activity as native eCG,
for having the same number of ovulations and levels of P4
post-ovulation than the native eCG. Finally, we conclude that
the eCG-like substute produced by Syntex could be a very ac-
ceptable alternative for native eCG in breeding management
of cattle.
Keywords: eCG, eCG-like, glycoprotein, SPO, FTAI.
BT-02
Predictive value of cumulus cells transcription for oocyte
developmental potential
Álvaro Martínez-Moro1, Ismael Lamas-Toranzo1, Elena
O´Callaghan2, Anna Esteve-Codina3, Pat Lonergan2, Pablo Bermejo-
Álvarez1.
1
Departamento de Reproducción Animal, INIA, Madrid, Spain; 2School
of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin,
Republic of Ireland; 3CNAG-CRG, Barcelona, Spain.
Objectives: Within the ovarian follicle, mammalian oo-
cytes are enclosed by cumulus cells, which play crucial nour-
ishing and signalling roles during folliculogenesis. These cells
are lost during or shortly after ovulation in vivo and are re-
moved following oocyte maturation in vitro (IVM). Thus, they
constitute an interesting material on which to perform molecu-
lar analyses aimed to predict oocyte developmental potential.
The objective of this study was to determine by RNAseq the
transcriptional differences between cumulus cells from oo-
cytes exhibiting different developmental potential.
Material & Methods: Cumulus-oocyte complexes were
obtained from slaughtered cattle and individually matured in
vitro. Following IVM, cumulus cells were removed by hyaluro-
nidase treatment, pelleted, snap frozen in liquid nitrogen and
stored at -80 ºC until analysis. Cumulus-free oocytes were
fertilized and cultured in vitro individually. Cumulus cells were
allocated into three groups according to the developmental po-
tential of the oocyte: 1) oocytes developing to blastocysts fol-
lowing IVF (Bl+Cl+), 2) oocytes cleaving following IVF but ar-
resting development prior to the blastocyst stage (Bl-Cl+), and
3) oocytes not cleaving following IVF (Bl-Cl-). RNAseq was
performed in 4 (Bl-Cl-) or 5 samples (Bl+Cl+ and Bl-Cl+) per
group, using the Illumina platform with >30 M reads/sample.
Each sample contained cumulus cells from 10 cumulus-oocyte
complexes (COCs). Differential expression was analysed by
DESeq2 software.
Results: RNAseq analysis revealed 1609, 1466 and 1420
differentially expressed genes (DEGs) for the comparisons
Bl+Cl+ vs. Bl-Cl+, Bl+Cl+ vs. Bl-Cl- and Bl-Cl+ vs. Bl-Cl-,
respectively, using a raw p value <0.05. These DEGs were
narrowed down to 77, 80 and 32 DEGs for the comparisons
Bl+Cl+ vs. Bl-Cl+, Bl+Cl+ vs. Bl-Cl- and Bl-Cl+ vs. Bl-Cl-, re-
spectively, when an adjusted p value <0.05 was used. From

these subsets of DEGs, 49, 50 and 18 DEGs, respectively,
exhibited a fold change greater than 1.5. Focussing on DEGs
in cumulus cells obtained from oocytes developing to blasto-
cysts, 10 DEGs were common to both comparisons (10/49
from Bl+Cl+ vs. Bl-Cl+, 10/50 from Bl+Cl+ vs. Bl-Cl-). These
DEGs correspond to 6 upregulated genes (HBE1, ITGA1,
PAPPA, AKAP12, ITGA5 and SLC1A4), and 4 genes down-
regulated (GSTA1, PSMB8, FMOD and SFRP4) in Bl+Cl+
compared to the other groups.
Conclusions: mRNA abundance of specific genes in cu-
mulus cells can be used to differentiate oocytes capable of de-
veloping to blastocysts from those arresting before that stage
following in vitro embryo production.
Keywords: IVF, embryo transfer, gene expression, oo-
cyte, cumulus cells.
BT-03
Effect of gamete origin (Bos taurus – Bos indicus) and sexing
sperm on in vitro embryo production in a commercial
system in Colombia
Lilian Bonilla León1, Ramón Guillermo Gomez Domínguez2, Martha
Liliana Torres Londoño2, Andrés Mejía Gallego1, Ricaurte Lopera-
Vasquez1.
Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Ibagué (Tolima), Colombia;
1
In Vitro Colombia, Bogotá D.C, Colombia.
2
Introduction: In vitro embryo production (IEP) is consid-
ered an important assisted reproduction technique for bovine
animal breeding in elite farms including tropical countries as
Colombia. Under tropical environment the use of Bos indicus
breeds and their crossbreeds with B. Taurus has an important
impact on IEP. Also, the use of sexed sperm on bovine breed-
ing farms are important to reduce economic impact of males
or females effect.
Objectives: The aim of this study is to know the effect of
gamete origin (male -M and female -F gametes of B. Taurus
- Holstein Friesian (H) and B indicus - Nelore (N) and Gyr (G)
breeds) and sperm sexing (conventional -C and sexed -S) on
Cleavage (-D3), blastocyst yield (-D7), and low embryo quality
(discard on D7 -LEQ) in an IEP commercial system in Colom-
bia.
Materials and methods: A retrospective study were done
on 2019 database of in vitro Colombia® laboratory. A total of
1145 OPU sessions were included and after randomly sam-
pling, 40 samples for gamete origin (GMxGF, GMxHF, HMxGF
and HMxHF) and sperm sexing C and S for N and G were
analysed through one way ANOVA of each parameter (Sigma-
plot®12.0) (p≤0.05). D3, D7 and LEQ were calculated from in
vitro fertilization on day 0.
Results: When gamete origin were analysed, in terms of
D3 rates of GMxGF were significantly lower when compared
with HMxGF and HMxHF (68.2±2.2 vs. 75.7±1.5 and 75.5±2.8)
respectively (p=0.026), however, these differences disappear
on D7 rates with a range 16.1±2.9 – 23.2±1.3 % for GMxHF and
HMxGF respectively (p=0.259). Also, LEQ analysis on gamete
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Biotechnology
origin, present significant differences with a higher HMxHF
discard rates (5.6±1.1) than GMxGF (1.4±0.4) (p=0.02). On
the other hand, when sexing sperm were analysed for B Indi-
cus, CN (79.6±1.7) were equal to CG (72.6±3.6), and signifi-
cantly higher than SN and SG on D3 rates vs. 69.8±2.6 and
68.2±2.2 respectively (p=0.013), patterns that maintains on D7
rates with a CN (30.5±2.6) similar to CG (25.8±2.3), but signifi-
cantly higher to SN and SG (22.2±1.9 - 18.3±2.0 respectively)
(p=0.001). In addition, C sperm present higher LEQ rates than
S in N and G (6.2±1.2 - 4.6±1.0 vs. 2.0±0.6 - 1.4±0.4) for CN,
CG vs. SN and SG respectively (p=0.001).
Conclusions: In terms of origin, Bos taurus male gametes
has a positive incidence on first stages of embryo develop-
ment (D3), however, these differences disappear at blastocyst
stage (D7), confirming that embryo development has relative
independence of IVF, and the importance of male effect on
IEP. Bos taurus could have a negative impact on embryo qual-
ity represented in a higher LEQ rates of HxH group. Finally,
S sperm show lower IEP (D3 and D7) for N, and C sperm
increase a LEQ inside both breeds (N and G).
Keywords: In vitro Embryo production, sexed sperm, em-
bryo quality, blastocyst.
BT-04
Pregnancy and foetal sex ratio following transfer of in vitro
produced (IVP) embryos to lactating dairy cows
Alan Crowe1, Jose Maria Sánchez2, John Browne1, Stephen G. Moore1,
Michael McDonald3, Rafaela Rodrigues4, Maria Fernanda Morales4,
Leandro Orsi De Freitas4, Federico Randi5, Patrick Lonergan3,
Stephen T. Butler1.
1
Teagasc, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre,
Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Republic of Ireland; 2Centro Nacional
Instituto de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (CSIC-
INIA), Madrid, Spain; 3School of Agriculture and Food Science,
University College Dublin,, Dublin, Republic of Ireland; 4Vytelle LLC,
Hermiston, OR, United States; 5CEVA Santé Animale, Libourne,
France.
Objectives: The aims of this study were to compare preg-
nancy rates and foetal sex ratio in lactating dairy cows bred
by timed artificial insemination (TAI) or timed embryo transfer
(TET) with fresh or frozen IVP embryos.
Materials and methods: IVP blastocysts were generated
from oocytes collected by ovum pick-up from genetically elite
Holstein-Friesian (n=29), Jersey (n=11) and Angus (n=21)
donors and oocytes from slaughtered commercial crossbred
beef heifers (n=119). Following in vitro maturation, fertilisation
using conventional unsorted semen and culture, single Grade
1 blastocysts were transferred either fresh or following freez-
ing and on-farm thawing into lactating, predominantly Hol-
stein-Friesian, dairy cows which had been synchronised with
a 10-d PRID-Ovsynch protocol.
On day 0, a 2-mL i.m. injection of GnRH analogue (Ova-
relin, 100 μg of gonadorelin diacetate tetrahydrate; Ceva
Sante Animale, Libourne, France) was administered, and a
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ORAL — Biotechnology

progesterone-releasing intravaginal device (PRID Delta; 1.55

g Progesterone, Ceva) was inserted. On day 7, a 5-mL i.m. in-
jection of PGF2α (Enzaprost, 25 mg of dinoprost trometamol;
Ceva) was administered. On day 8, a second 5-mL i.m. of PG-
F2α was administered and the PRID was removed. On day
9.5 (32 h after PRID removal), a second i.m. injection of GnRH
was administered. On day 10, 20% of the cows (n=240) were
assigned to receive AI (16 h after the second GnRH), and the
remaining 80% of the cows (n=952) were assigned to receive
ET on day 17. Pregnancy rate was determined between Day
32-35 after synchronised ovulation using transrectal ultraso-
nography. Between Day 62-65 after synchronised ovulation,
foetal sex was determined by trans-rectal ultrasonography in
436 of the cows that had previously been diagnosed pregnant
on Day 32-35.
Pregnancy Data were analysed using generalised linear
mixed models including service treatment (TAI vs. TET) as
a fixed effect. In addition to examining foetal sex in recipient
cows on Day 62 to 65, Day 7 (n=63) and Day 8 (n=40) IVP
blastocysts produced over 3 repetitions of IVP using abat-
toir-derived ovaries as the source of oocytes were snap-fro-
zen, and their sex was determined by extraction of DNA and
amplification of a 241 base pair fragment of the amelogenin
gene (AML-X) or both a 241 and a 178 base pair fragment for
AML-X and Y, respectively.
Results: Mean (95% CI) pregnancy/service event at Day
32 was not different between AI (47.7%; 41.0, 54.5) and ET
(fresh/frozen combined, 47.9%; 44.1, 51.8) and did not dif-
fer between dairy and beef embryos (Dairy: 50.1% vs Beef:
46.1%). Pregnancy rate was lesser (P = 0.003) on Day 32
following transfer of frozen embryos compared with fresh em-
bryos (Dairy: 40.1% vs 61.1%; Beef: 41.2% vs 51.7%, respec-
tively). Pregnancy loss between day 32 and 62 was greater
(P=0.003) for ET (15.6%) compared with AI (4.7%), with great-
er losses observed for frozen beef (16.6%), fresh beef (17.7%)
and frozen dairy (22.8%) compared with fresh dairy (6.7%).
The sex ratio (M:F) of foetuses derived from TET (n=328
pregnancies) was 60.8:39.2. In contrast, corresponding values
for foetuses derived from TAI was 42.7:57.3 (n=108) (P=0.002).
There was no difference in sex ratio across the different IVP-
ET treatments (i.e., beef vs. dairy, fresh vs. frozen). Over-
all sex ratio (M:F) among in vitro blastocysts was 61.2:38.8
(M:F), and was not affected by day (Day 7: 61.2:38.8; Day 8:
65.4:34.6; p=0.685).
Conclusions: In conclusion, pregnancy/service event on
Day 32-35 was similar for TAI and TET, although 9.6% of cows
initially synchronized for ET were rejected. Of cows that were
pregnant on day 32, pregnancy loss was greater for TET than
for TAI. The bias towards male foetuses on Day 62-65 in recip-
ient cows was mirrored by a similar sex bias in IVP blastocysts
on Day 7 and 8, indicating similar survival of male and female
embryos after transfer to recipients on Day 7.
Keywords: In vitro Embryo Production, Timed AI, Timed
Embryo Transfer, Sex ratio, Pregnancy.

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124

CW-01
Effects of postpartum analgesia on the behaviour of
Holstein cows experiencing  both assisted and unassisted
parturition
Nicola Gladden1, Kathryn Ellis2, Jessica Martin3, Dorothy McKeegan4.
1
Farm Animal Department University of Nottingham School of
Veterinary Sciences Sutton Bonington, Loughborough, United
Kingdom; 2University of Glasgow School of Veterinary Medicine,
Glasgow, United Kingdom; 3Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies
and The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United
Kingdom; 4Institute of Biodiversity Animal Health & Comparative
Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
Objectives: Assisted parturition in cattle is common and
has the potential to be both painful and stressful. Although
pain and stress are adverse welfare states, the welfare effects
of assisted parturition have rarely been studied. Although
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) analgesia is
commonly provided following veterinary-assisted parturition,
conflicting results from different studies mean that the poten-
tial welfare benefits of postpartum NSAID analgesia are un-
clear. Few studies compare cows experiencing both assisted
and unassisted parturition, as well as those administered ei-
ther an analgesic drug or a placebo in a 2x2 factorial design
considered ‘gold standard’ for assessing the welfare effects
of a chosen treatment. The objective of this study was to use
such a robust design to investigate the effects of postpartum
NSAID analgesia in both farmer-assisted and unassisted par-
turition, as well as the effect of farmer-assisted parturition on
dairy cattle welfare in the first 48h postpartum.
Materials and methods: The study was performed on a
700-cow commercial UK dairy farm; the cows are housed all
year round and calve in a year-round calving pattern. Thir-
ty-seven cows experiencing farmer-assisted parturition and
35 cows experiencing unassisted parturition were recruited
and randomly assigned to either a NSAID treatment group (35
cows) or a placebo group (37 cows). Cows in the treatment
group were administered ketoprofen and cows in the placebo
group received a saline placebo; both treatments were ad-
ministered within 3h of parturition. Cow behaviour was mon-
itored for 48h postpartum using continuous video recording.
Behavioural analysis of video footage was performed using
instantaneous focal sampling with sample intervals of every
20min every other hour. Observations were assigned to be-
haviours according to an ethogram containing 13 behavioural
categories, and were used to construct a 48h time budget for
each cow.
Results: The most common specific behaviour exhibited
by cows across the whole 48h time period was standing (49%
of time budget). Collectively, active behaviours occupied a
slightly greater proportion of the time budget than lying be-
haviours (53.8% compared to 46.3%) and cows were most ac-
tive in the first 12h postpartum (p <0.001). The most common
lying posture was sternal recumbency with the head elevated
(26.2%). Lying postures were affected by both treatment sta-
tus and assistance status. Cows experiencing assisted par-
turition (irrespective of treatment status) spent more time in
lateral recumbency overall than cows experiencing unassisted
parturition (p = 0.008) and more time in lateral recumbency
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Cattle Welfare
with the head rested (p = 0.049). Cows treated with ketopro-
fen (irrespective of assistance status) spent less time in lateral
recumbency than cows treated with the placebo, both overall
(p = 0.031) and with the head rested (p = 0.008). Additionally,
when lying in sternal recumbency, cows treated with ketopro-
fen spent more time with the head rested than cows treated
with a saline placebo (p = 0.009). Cows in the treatment group
that had experienced assisted parturition showed a tendency
to spend more time engaged in feeding directed behaviours
than cows in the other three interaction groups (p = 0.079).
A diagnosis of postpartum disease was associated with an
increased proportion of the time budget spent lying in sternal
recumbency with the head elevated and more time lying in
sternal recumbency overall (p = 0.023 and p = 0.013 respec-
tively). Time spent engaged in lateral recumbency with the
head rested was 2.5 times higher in primiparous animals than
multiparous animals (p = 0.002) and as a result, the proportion
of the time budget engaged in lateral recumbency overall was
also higher in primiparous animals (p = 0.004).
Conclusions: Cows that were administered ketoprofen
analgesia immediately postpartum exhibited lying postures
suggestive of reduced pain and improved comfort, regardless
of assistance status. There was no interaction between time
and treatment status, suggesting that the beneficial effect of
ketoprofen lasted for up to 48h postpartum. A single dose of
ketoprofen in the immediate postpartum period therefore has
the potential to improve the welfare of all cows after parturi-
tion irrespective of assistance status. As parturition is a neces-
sary event for cattle that usually occurs annually, this finding
has the potential to contribute to the improvement of welfare
of large numbers of cattle and provides a further method for
farmers and veterinary surgeons to optimise the management
of cows in the immediate postpartum period.
Keywords: Welfare, Behaviour, Parturition, Analgesia.
CW-02
Characterization of Welfare in Dairy Cows Based on
WelfareQuality Protocol in Portuguese Farms
Rui D'Orey Branco1, Daniela Brandão1, Catia Matos1, Maria Ines
Antunes1, Isabel Santos2, Manuel Pinheiro3, George Stilwell4.
1
Lacticoop URCL, Aveiro, Portugal; 2Agros URCL, Vila do Conde,
Portugal; 3Proleite Crl, Oliveira de Azeméis., Portugal; 4Animal
Behaviour and Welfare Laboratory, Centre of Interdisciplinary
Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lisbon
University, Lisbon, Portugal.
The current consumers are demanding a new approach
from the dairy industry. Today we need to assure the consum-
er that animal welfare is respected. In Portugal, the three larg-
est milk buyers worked together to apply the Welfare Quality®
protocol and audit all the farms that sell to our companies. The
objective of this study is to characterize the current status of
animal welfare in Portugal. We audited 456 dairy farms across
Portugal with a number of milking cows varying from 5 to 1232.
The main breeds here Holstein-Frisian and the crosses with
125
ORAL — Cattle Welfare
Swedish Red and Montbéliarde. The audits were performed
as described by the Welfare Quality® referential and consist-
ed of the evaluation of the four main welfare principles: good
feeding, good housing, good health, and appropriate behavior.
These principles are divided into 12 criteria that allow the au-
ditor to access animal welfare based on the animal and small
input from the infrastructure. The combination of these inputs
will create a numerical result. Farms results can vary from 0 to
100, being 0 the worst situation an animal can be, 50 a neutral
situation of welfare, and 100 the best situation an animal can
be in. However, results are presented only on the form of a)
Not acceptable - 0 to 20; b) Acceptable - 20 to 55; c) Elevated -
55 to 80; d) Excellent >80. The final score is reached through a
complex calculation. Data was collected from September 2019
to March 2020 using the digital platform WFQApp ®, this is a
new tool to access the results from the protocol WelfareQuality
®. WFQApp allows direct data input reducing the human error
and the desk time after the audit, it also allows the auditor to
have access immediately to the results and the report to the
farmer. Data was analyzed using the statics program R ver-
sion 3.6.3.
The 512 Farms were divided in 4 groups based on the
number of milking cows: very small <20 (n=75); small 21<50
(n=206); medium 51<250 (n=213); Large >250 (n=18). From
these 512 farms, we were able to audit in 447 farms to date,
the results of these farms were: Not approved-10, Accept-
able-177, Elevated -260 and none was Excellent. There was
no difference (p>0.05) nor a correlation between the size of the
farm and the results. The main reason for the Not approved
farms is related to a low value in all the principles, especially
on good feeding. Regarding the remaining audited farms, the
areas most found to need improvement were increases in size
and/or a number of water throughs and reductions of skin le-
sions mainly through better bedding.
In conclusion, this is the first large scale characterization of
the welfare status in dairy farms in Portugal. The results show
that 41% of the audited farms are below what is considered
neutral for animal welfare. Therefore, there is still a long path
to improve animal welfare in dairy farms in Portugal. This path
should include continued auditing and farmer’s education.
Keywords: Dairy, Welfare, WelfareQuality, Cows.
CW-03
Opportunities for enhancing welfare in the Australian
dairy industry
Lucy Collins, David Beggs, Peter Mansell.
The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
Objectives: Public perceptions influence what we farm,
and how we farm it.
Like many global dairy industries, Australia’s dairy indus-
try has been thrust into the media spotlight repeatedly, with
increasing public concern about many common animal hus-
bandry and management practices. While the industry contin-
ues to work towards phasing out or finding viable alternatives
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
126
to many of these practices, Australian dairy farmers also need
to look for novel ways to maintain socially sustainable farming
operations. The aim of this study was to investigate opportuni-
ties for Australian dairy farmers to move beyond the minimum
requirements outlined in the Australian Animal Welfare Stan-
dards and Guidelines for Cattle, and identify possible socially
acceptable ways to enhance the welfare of dairy cattle across
all five domains in the eyes of the public.
Materials & Methods: Using an online survey, social me-
dia users were encouraged to respond to open-ended ques-
tions pertaining to best possible welfare for cows, consider-
ing nutrition, environment, health and behaviour. Participants
were also asked to describe what they considered to be the
industry’s major cattle welfare strengths, challenges, and op-
portunities. Open-ended question responses were coded for
thematic saturation using NVIVO software.
Results: A total of 1378 valid responses were recorded.
Many respondents (31.6%) reported having some involvement
with the dairy industry and most (78.8%) consumed Australian
dairy products. When asked to independently rank the factors
they considered when making purchasing decisions (not im-
portant; somewhat important; very important) most (77.3%)
considered a high standard of animal welfare as being very
important. This, and safe food production, were the two factors
most commonly reported as being very important amongst
respondents. Almost all respondents (95.7%) believed dairy
cattle to be sentient. Many (33.7%) reported as having ever
signed a petition or attended a rally pertaining to animal wel-
fare. Many respondents (40.9%) felt that they were very in-
formed about dairy farming practices in Australia. 
Common themes surrounding best possible welfare across
the 5 domains included: access to pasture and sunshine; ad-
equate space and shelter; plentiful and quality feed; social in-
teraction; regular activity; low-stress stock handling practices
on farm; positive interactions with humans; access to quality
veterinary medicines and care (including pain relief); regular
health monitoring and prophylactic treatments; appropriate
genetic selection and responsible breeding; hygienic facili-
ties; humane euthanasia; and access to enrichment resources
(most frequently noted as scratching posts or cow brushes).
Perceived welfare strengths of the Australian dairy indus-
try included: public trust in farmers to care for their livestock;
relatively high standards of national animal welfare on a global
scale; smaller scale family-owned farms; a strong community
of resilient and collaborative farmers; industry resilience to nat-
ural disasters; progressive key industry priorities surrounding
animal welfare (particularly targets around provision of pain
relief at disbudding; use of polled genetics and sexed semen;
the phasing out of induced calvings; management of heat
stress; and creating alternate pathways for bobby calves).
Current welfare challenges identified by respondents in-
cluded: negative public perceptions; lack of enrichment; the
potential for compromise of cow health when selecting for
production trait; bobby calf management practices; common
health issues such as mastitis, eye cancers, prolonged recum-
bency and lameness; appropriate nutrition and feed availabil-
ity; cow-calf separation; overuse of antibiotics; underuse of
analgesics; short voluntary wait periods; access to appropri-
ate shelter- poor stock handling techniques; painful husbandry
procedures; biosecurity; environmental stewardship and sus-

tainability; changing climactic conditions; lack of skilled farm
workers; working conditions on farm; farmer physical and
mental health; and farm profitability.  over a 2 months period, resulting in a response rate of 18.4%.
Respondents indicated future welfare opportunities for the
industry encompassed: improving community engagement;
promoting consumption of Australian made or local dairy prod-
ucts; adoption of innovative technologies and automations
(including health monitors and voluntary milking systems);
continued industry commitment to policy improvements and
mandates (particularly around provision of pain relief); proces-
sor commitment to ensuring compliance; benchmarking and
third party audits; and ongoing research, development, and
extension.
Conclusion: Respondents in this study have provided in-
sights into areas for future research and development to en-
hance public discernment around cattle welfare on dairy farms
in Australia. This study reaffirms the need for ongoing indus-
try stakeholder engagement to provide assurances that en-
hanced welfare across all five domains will improve public ac-
ceptability of farming practices. This will ensure the Australian
dairy industry retains a social license to operate into the future.  6.7% of the surveyed farmers dehorned their calves within the
Keywords: dairy, welfare, social license, cow, public per-
ception.
CW-04
Dehorning of calves: Common practice and attitude of
3,267 Austrian farmers
Simone Steiner1, Johannes Lorenz Khol2.
1
Rinderzucht Austria /Cattle Breeders Austria, Vienna, Austria; 2Clinic
for Ruminants, Vetmeduni Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Introduction: The disbudding of calves is a routine proce-
dure in cattle husbandry. It is a painful intervention, regardless
of the method used. The legislation regarding dehorning var-
ies worldwide. In Austria, the legal guidelines were changed in
accordance with scientific recommendations in 2017.
In calves younger than six weeks, cauterization is allowed
to be done by a qualified person, while in older calves disbud-
ding or dehorning must be performed by a veterinarian. The
use of sedatives, local anesthetics and analgesia are man-
datory, additionally, drugs for pain management have to be
administered by a veterinarian.
Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate how the
new legally required methods were implemented, which man-
agement changes were necessary, as well as the farmers´ at-
titude towards the new regulations.
Material and Methods: Approximately 17,720 cattle
breeders taking part in the national milk and beef herd per-
formance testing program (LKV Austria) were included in the
survey. An internet-based questionnaire was designed com-
prising six areas of interest: farm characteristics, producer
perception of disbudding-related pain, economic impact and
degree of satisfaction with the new situation. Furthermore, the
opinion of the farmers about a possible shortage in veterinary
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Cattle Welfare
care now and in the future was evaluated.
Results: A total of 3,267 questionnaires were returned
The average herd size of the farms was 37.7 cows, with Fleck-
vieh as the main breed. In almost 80% of the farms, all cows
were hornless. Based on the results of the questionnaire, hot-
iron cauterization seems to be the method of choice in Austria.
On approximately 52% of the farms only the young stock
kept for replacement was dehorned, on 33% disbudding was
performed on all calves respectively.
On 54% of the participating farms cauterization is done
by a veterinarian, only on 44.9% disbudding is done by the
farmers. Almost 30% of the farmers stated to believe that dis-
budding caused little or no pain, another 34.1% of the farm-
ers considered disbudding to cause moderate pain and the
remaining 36.3% found it to induce a lot of pain. Approximately
61% of the farmers think that pain management medication is
worth the money. Sedation is generally considered more im-
portant than local anaesthesia. Only 56% of the farmers stated
that disbudding is performed in the morning, furthermore only
third week of life. In most cases the reason for the delayed
dehorning of calves is a shortage in available veterinary care.
To be more flexible, 45% of the farmers would like to apply
pain management by themselves. The demand for trainings to
achieve the necessary skills also was expressed in the ques-
tionnaire by many farmers.
Conclusion: Disbudding is still a routine procedure and
performed on most of Austrian farms. Not all farmers see the
legal chances as a benefit for animal welfare. To reduce costs
and increase flexibility many farmers would prefer to apply
pain management medication by themselves, which has to be
critically valuated, as abuse and misuse of drugs may occur
in this case.
Keywords: Dehorning, disbudding.
CW-05
Prediction of calving assistance using a commercially
available tri-axial accelerometer
Nicola Gladden1, Kathryn Ellis2, Dorothy McKeegan2.
Farm Animal Department University of Nottingham School of
1
Veterinary Sciences Sutton Bonington, Loughborough, United
Kingdom; 2University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
Objectives: Farmers are recommended to closely monitor
cows that may need calving assistance to enable intervention
to be optimised; however, this can be difficult to achieve, and
it is currently not possible to accurately predict when cows will
give birth, or whether they are likely to need assistance. As
such, some cows that experience a difficult calving may not
receive timely assistance and, conversely, some cows may be
assisted unnecessarily — both are situations that may have
negative welfare outcomes. The objective of this study was
to investigate whether activity data generated by a commer-
127
ORAL — Cattle Welfare
cially available tri-axial accelerometers (IceQube, IceRobotics,
Scotland) is able to accurately detect cows that subsequently
required calving assistance.
Materials and Methods: Eighty Holstein cows on a com-
mercial dairy farm in Scotland were recruited to the study. Ice-
Qube accelerometers were fitted to one hindlimb of each cow
one to two weeks prior to their expected calving date (all cows
were artificially inseminated, and pregnancy confirmed ultra-
sonographically by a veterinary surgeon). Cows were housed
in a group calving pen from the last three weeks of gestation
until calving, after which cows were moved to an adjacent
postpartum pen. The date and time of calving was recorded
by the farmer and confirmed using video footage recorded as
part of a wider study.
Activity data generated by the IceQube accelerometers
comprises: the amount of time engaged in lying and non-lying
behaviours (both presented as absolute time and as a propor-
tion of the time budget), step count (number of steps taken
in a defined time period), lying bouts (number of lying bouts
in a defined time period; a lying bout is recorded when the
cow transitions from standing to lying and back to standing),
and Motion Index (a proprietary measure indicative of activ-
ity). Accelerometer-generated data were downloaded for 48
h pre-partum and used to construct time budgets that were
analysed in 12 h time periods (0 to −12 h, −12 to −24 h, −24 to
−36 h, and −36 to −48 h) using Linear Mixed Models and Gen-
eralised Linear Mixed Models (Poisson distribution) as appro-
priate; animal identification number was entered as a random
effect into all models to account for repeated measures. Data
were further analysed using Classification and Regression
Tree (CART) analysis to determine a data threshold for pre-
diction of assisted calving. Thresholds were validated using
5-fold cross-validation.
Results: Multiparous cows were moderately over-repre-
sented in the study population (72.5% compared to 28.8%
primiparous cows), and most cows (71.3%) did not require as-
sistance at calving. Overall, cows engaged in lying behaviours
more than non-lying behaviours in the 48 h pre-partum (54.4%
vs. 45.6% of the time budget).
Cows that were subsequently assisted during parturition
tended to engage in more lying bouts (p = 0.064) and have
a higher step count (p = 0.054) in the 48 h pre-partum com-
pared to unassisted cows. Classification and Regression Tree
analysis supported these results, finding that step count had
the greatest association with subsequent assistance status. A
step count of 883 was identified by CART analysis as being
the optimal threshold for detecting cows that subsequently re-
quired calving assistance. Discriminant analysis indicated this
threshold had an acceptable sensitivity (69.6%) but low spec-
ificity (31.6%), with a positive predictive value of 29.1% and a
negative predictive value of 72.0%, for detecting subsequent
calving assistance. Additionally, a threshold of 10.5 lying bouts
was identified as the optimal threshold for detecting the last
12 h of gestation (sensitivity = 78.8%, specificity = 87.1%, bal-
anced accuracy = 82.7%).
Conclusion: These findings show that IceQube generat-
ed data have the potential to be used to predict the timing
of parturition and to identify cows more likely to need calving
assistance; however, cows less likely to need calving assis-
tance were more accurately detected. Our results could un-
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
128
derpin future computational advances and provide a robust
basis for future researchers to develop algorithms to identify
data thresholds that may be used to alert farmers of higher risk
cows, enabling them to direct resources towards ensuring the
welfare of these animals.
Keywords: Calving, remote monitoring, accelerometer,
prediction, assistance.
CW-06
Effect of two  vs. three milk replacer feedings per day on
behaviour and stress in Holstein calves
Patricia Carulla1, Adrián Ramón-Moragues2, Mª Ángeles Martínez1,
Eduardo De Mercado3, Andrea López-Saturnino3, Mª Luz Pérez
Solana3, Susana Astiz3, Francisco Sebastián4, Fernando Estellés1,
Arantxa Villagrá5.
1
Instituto de Tecnología Animal. Universitat Politècnica de València,
Valencia, Spain; 2Centro de Tecnología Animal-Instituto Valenciano
de Investigaciones Agrarias, Segorbe, Spain; 3Instituto Nacional de
Investigaciones Agrarias, Madrid, Spain; 4Centro de Recría Cowvet SL,
Titaguas (Valencia), Spain; 5Centro de Tecnología Animal-Instituto
Valenciano de Investigaciones Agrarias, Segorbe (Castellón), Spain.
Objectives: During the early stages of life, calves are very
susceptible to stress, so it is necessary to assure a maximal
level of animal welfare and health during this period (Kaske
et al., 2010). Feed management during this stage has a great
impact on animal welfare (Hammon et al., 2020). In nature,
calves suckle their mothers more than 6 times a day, but in
production systems they are normally milk fed twice a day.
Thus, the objective of this study was to compare the effect of
feeding milk with different frequency per day on calves’ be-
haviour and stress level.
Materials and methods: The study was carried out in a
rearing farm located in Titaguas (Valencia, Eastern Spain)
from November 18, 2020 to July 6, 2021. Twenty calves be-
tween 4 and 35 days of age were included, and randomly dis-
tributed into two treatments according to feeding program: a)
group 2T, in which animals received 6 litres of milk replacer
distributed in two feedings of 3 litres each and b) group 3T in
which animals received 6 litres of milk replacer in three feed-
ings of 2 litres each. The calves were provided with ad libitum
starter and water from the day of entry and housed individually
during 7±2 days after arrival and in pairs until weaning at sev-
en weeks of life.
Blood samples were taken at two moments: 1) Pre-Wean-
ing (1S), when one of the milk intakes had been removed
(49.54±5.94d) and 2) Post-Weaning (2S), one week after
weaning (66.74±8.2d). IgM, C reactive protein (CRP), serum
amyloid-a (SAA) and haptoglobin (HP) were measured with
commercial ELISA kits (Cloud-clone CORP. Houston, USA).
Behavioural observations were performed by scan sampling
every 5 minutes during 2 hours at 0, 2, 6 and 24 hours af-
ter the animals were housed in pairs and once per week until
weaning.
Behavioural data and blood parameters were analysed us-
 ORAL — Cattle Welfare

ing a cross tabulation and analysis of variance ANOVA (Stat- CW-07

graphics Centurion XVIII®) respectively, using the number of
milks feeding as a fixed effect. For blood parameters, the age
of the animals was also assessed (1S vs 2S).
Results: Results showed significant differences in all the
studied behaviors except walking and inactive between 2T
and 3T (Table 1). The 2T animals showed a higher percentage
of non-nutritive oral activities (suckling element and suckling
empty bottle), as well as aggressive behaviours. Furthermore,
these animals showed a higher percentage of eating and ru-
mination compared to the 3T animals. Finally, 3T animals pre-
sented a higher percentage of positive behaviors such as ex-
ploring, grooming, playing and social interactions. Related to
blood stress parameters, the number of feedings did not have
any significant effect, whereas the moment of sampling did for
SAA (0.0375) and HP (0.0364): animals showed higher values
at pre-weaning than at post-weaning. Therefore, the effect of
reducing the number of milk intakes previous to the weaning
should be considered a stressor agent.
Identifying cow temperament to reduce incidence of
infectious disease and improve milk yield in early lactation
Nick Britten, Gareth Pearce.
University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
Objectives: Animal temperament refers to consistent in-
dividual differences in behaviour between animals. These
differences can be quantified using standardised behavioural
testing or a combination of behavioural and physiological
measures. Temperament quantified by behavioural testing is
predictive of health and production in dairy cattle (1), howev-
er standardised behavioural testing is difficult for producers
to implement. This study aimed to determine whether non-in-
vasive physiological measures of temperament could feasibly
replace standardised behavioural testing to predict health and
production outcomes during early lactation in dairy cattle.

Table 1. Effect of feeding management on the distribution of different behaviors (%).

Milk Feeding Aggression Drinking Walking Suckling Eating Exploring Grooming

element

2T 62.50 30.43 50 82.35 64.52 36.11 29.03

3T 37.50 69.57 50 17.65 35.48 63.89 70.97

P-value 0.047 0.0000 >0.05 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000

Milk Feeding Inactive Playing Suckling Suckling empty Rumination Self-grooming Social
bottle

2T 49.55 42.11 33.77 56.67 57.14 59.46 45.95

3T 50.45 57.89 66.23 43.33 42.86 40.54 54.05

P-value >0.05 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0081 0.0000 0.0020

Conclusions: Feeding calves three times per day could
have a beneficial effect on animal welfare, as it improves pos-
itive behaviours and reduces hunger-related and agonistic
ones. Nevertheless, this pattern did not present enough effect
to alter blood stress parameters, although this could be due to
the reduced sample size. Finally, according to the results ob-
tained, gradual weaning (1S) is shown to be a stressful event
for calves which has to be accurately handled.
Funded by CDTI (Centro para el Desarrollo Tecnológico
Industrial); Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación; proyecto CD-
TI-IDI-20200936.
Kaske, M., Wiedemann, S. and Kunz, H.J. 2010. Metabolic
programming: Background and potential impact for dairy cat-
tle. Vlaams Diergeneeskundig Tijdschrift, 79: 445-451
Hammon, H.M., Liermann, W., Frieten, D., Koch, C. 2020.
Review: Importance of colostrum supply and milk feeding
intensity on gastrointestinal and systemic development in
calves. Animal 14: 133–143.
Keywords: Behaviour, calves, milk replacer, stress, wel-
fare.
Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in 58
Holstein cattle between calving and 60 days of lactation man-
aged in an automatic milking system at Cambridge University
Farm, UK. The behaviour of each cow was recorded in a se-
ries of standardised tests (human approach, crush restraint,
runway and novel arena/novel object (NANO) tests) previously
described (2) at 21±4 days of lactation. Animals showing any
clinical signs of illness or receiving veterinary treatment at the
time of testing were excluded.
Before the NANO test, each animal was fitted with a heart
rate monitor (H10, Polar Electro, Finland) around the thorax
and left undisturbed for 5 minutes. Intervals between succes-
sive heartbeats (R-R intervals) were then recorded for 5 min-
utes. Immediately following this, temperature of both eyes was
measured using an infra-red camera (T335, FLIR systems,
UK). Each cow then underwent the NANO test, during which
R-R intervals were again recorded, and eye temperature mea-
surement was repeated immediately after the test.
Milk yield at 21 and 60 days were collected from the milk-
ing software. Medicines records were used to identify occur-
rence of clinical infectious disease (mastitis, metritis, interdigi-
tal necrobacillosis) during the first 60 days of lactation.
Principal Component Analysis (PCA) in R Studio
2021.09.02 extracted latent variables from behavioural test

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ORAL — Cattle Welfare
data with an eigenvalue ≥ 4/√3 to identify temperament traits.
Heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability parameters (root
mean square of successive differences, low frequency power
(LF), high frequency power (HF) and LF:HF ratio) were derived
from R-R intervals. Analysis of variance was used to quantify
differences in temperament between animals requiring treat-
ment for an infection and healthy animals. Linear regression
was used to quantify the relationship between temperament
and milk yield.
Results: PCA identified activity, neophobia, boldness and
sociability as distinct behavioural temperament traits. Elev-
en cases of infectious disease were detected during the first
60 days of lactation: 4 mastitis, 3 metritis and 4 interdigital
necrobacillosis. Cows contracting infections in early lactation
showed lower boldness (p≤0.01), lower sociability (p≤0.05)
lower pre-test eye temperatures (p≤0.05) and higher pre-test
heart rates (p≤0.01) than non-infected animals. Milk yield at 21
and 60 days of lactation was positively correlated with bold-
ness (p≤0.01) and negatively correlated with heart rate before
and during the NANO test (p≤0.01) and with LF:HF ratio be-
fore that test. Eye temperature was positively correlated with
boldness (left eye p≤0.01; right eye p≤0.05).
Conclusions: The higher heart rates and LF:HF ratios
and lower eye temperatures seen in cattle showing cases of
infectious disease and lower milk yields indicated that these
animals exhibited more physiological signs of stress. Cattle
showing lower eye temperatures also exhibited lower levels
of the boldness temperament trait. Previous studies have
demonstrated that cattle showing lower boldness and socia-
bility are more susceptible to infectious disease (1) and have
lower milk yields (3). The current study extends this to indicate
that these individuals can be identified using the physiological
measures of heart rate parameters and eye temperature.
As these measures are likely to be more feasible for on-
farm use than behavioural tests, they present potential practi-
cal methods of identifying individual cattle that are at greater
risk of infection in early lactation. Targeting of management
resources to reduce risk factors in these more susceptible an-
imals should reduce incidence of infection thereby reducing
antimicrobial usage and improving animal welfare.
1. Britten N, Pearce G. Animal - Science Proceedings.
12(1): 104.
2. Britten N, Pearce G. Animal - Science Proceedings.
12(1): 103.
3. Hedlund L, Løvlie H. Journal of Dairy Science. 2015
98(9): 5819–28.
Keywords: Dairy, Stress, Temperament, Disease, Ther-
mography.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
130
CW-08
Correlation between the Welfare Quality® protocol and
productive performance in Portuguese dairy farms
João Cerqueira1, George Stilwell2, Rui D'Orey Branco1.
1
Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Lusófona de
Humanidades e Tecnologias, Lisboa, Portugal; 2Animal Behaviour and
Welfare Lab, CIISA-Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal
Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisboa,
Portugal.
Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the
relationship of animal welfare of ten dairy farms in Portugal,
with productive performance. We hypothesized that there are
positive correlations between Welfare Quality® protocol (WQ )
results and milk productive performance parameters, and a
negative correlation between the WQ results and mean calv-
ing interval (CI).
Methods and materials: Ten farms were used in this study
and were visited between January and September 2021. Farm
size ranged from 35 to 789 milking cows at the time of the visit.
All animals were kept on an intensive-based free-stall produc-
tion system with several diverse bedding choices and were
milked twice a day, with with the exception of one farm where
cows were milked three times a day. All farms were assessed
for animal welfare using the WQ protocol. The productive per-
formance indicators considered were the CI, average daily
milk yield (kg/cow/day), the number of animals reaching 305
days in milk (DIM), 305 DIM cumulative production (kg), and
bulk tank somatic cells count (SCC) (cells x103/ml). Produc-
tive performance parameters were obtained and calculated
using Microsoft® Excel for Mac version 16.56, and data was
obtained from Bovinfor® and Lactinfo©. The descriptive sta-
tistical analysis was calculated using RStudio® Mac version
2021.09, and all the proposed correlations were assessed us-
ing Spearman’s bivariate correlation with a significance level
of 5% (p<0.05).
Results: From the farms considered in the study, 80% ob-
tained the WQ "Enhanced" level, while 20% were classified
as "Acceptable" as the final score. No farms were classified
as "Excellent" or "Not Classified". Table 1 describes the WQ
assessment correlations with milk productive performance.
Our main results showed that average daily milk yield was
positively correlated with the WQ Final Score (p= 0.002), pos-
itively correlated with the “Good Feeding” principle (p=0.012)
and tended to be positively correlated with “Good Housing”
principle (p=0.055). The number of animals reaching 305
DIM was positively correlated with the “Good Health” princi-
ple (p= 0,016) and with the “Expression of social behaviors”
criteria (p=0.025), and tended to be correlated with the “Good
Housing” principle (p=0.053). Finally, 305 DIM cumulative
production was positively correlated with the WQ Final Score
(p=0.024), with the “Good Health” principle (p=0.002), and
with the ”Good Housing” principle (p=0.030). There were no
significant correlations between the WQ assessment results,
the CI, and SCC.
 ORAL — Cattle Welfare

Table 1. Correlation between the final and each Principle score in the WQ protocol, and average milk yield, number of animals reaching 305
DIM, and 305 DIM cumulative production.

Number of animals reaching 305 305 DIM cumulative

Average daily milk yield
  DIM production

WFQ ρ p-value ρ p-value ρ p-value

Absence of prolonged hunger 0.73 0.017 0.53 0.112 0.57 0.084

Absence of prolonged thirst 0.70 0.025 0.32 0.372 0.52 0.124

Good Feeding 0.75 0.012 0.47 0.173 057 0.087

Comfort around resting 0.62 0.055 0.63 0.053 0.68 0.030

Thermal Comfort N/A N/A N/A

Ease of movement N/A N/A N/A

Good Housing 0.62 0.055 0.63 0.053 0.68 0.030

Absence of injuries 0.34 0.328 0.44 0.200 0.66 0.037

Absence of disease 0.29 0.421 0.49 0.151 0.3 0.016

Absence of pain induced by management

0.40 0.245 0.68 0.030 0.56 0.091
procedures

Good Health 0.53 0.117 0.73 0.016 0.84 0.002

Expression of social behaviors 0.50 0.138 0.70 0.025 0.53 0.111

Expression of other behaviors N/A N/A N/A

Good human-animal relationship 0,03 0,934 -0,16 0,651 -0,24 0,510

Positive emotional state 0,62 0,055 0,12 0,738 0,32 0,372

Appropriate Behavior 0,30 0,405 0,055 0,881 0,07 0,854

Final Score 0,85 0,002 0,563 0,090 0,70 0,024

Conclusions: With these results we can accept the hy-
pothesis that dairy farms with better Welfare Quality® scores
will have superior productive performance, more specifically
higher milk yield per cow per day, more complete lactations,
and higher 305 DIM cumulative production.
Keywords: Animal welfare, Welfare Quality®, Dairy cow,
Productive performance, Average daily milk yield.
CW-10
Automatic assessment of feeding, ruminating and
locomotion behaviours in dairy cows naturally affected by
diseases during peripartum period
Fadul Mahmoud1, Luigi D'Andrea2, Maher Alsaaod1, Giuliano
Borriello3, Carlo Ferravante2, Antonio Di Loria2, Paolo Ciaramella2,
Adrian Steiner1, Jacopo Guccione2.
1
Clinic for Ruminants, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine,
Vetsuisse-Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland; 2Department
of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Napoli
"Federico II", Napoli, Italy; 3Department of Veterinary Medicine
and Animal Productions, University of Napoli "Federico II", Napoli,
Switzerland.
Objectives: Changes in cow behaviour are one of the
most important criteria to assess animal welfare and health.
Several parameters can be used to build up an early disease
warning system aiming to gain higher animal health standards,
above all during the transition period when a negative energy
balance may favour the onset of diseases. Considering the
premises, the goal of the study was to assess and compare
the feeding, ruminating and locomotion behaviour between
cows naturally affected by diseases and healthy cows in the
first week after calving.
Materials and methods: Forty-two, free-stall-housed,
pluriparous Holstein x Friesian cows were enrolled from 14
days (d) before up to 1 week (wk) after calving. Based on
the output of a 3-dimensional accelerometer placed either in
a halter equipped with a nose-band sensor or a pedometer
[RumiWatch®, ITIN+HOCH GmbH, Fütterungstechnik, Lies-
tal, Switzerland], different feeding, rumination and locomotion
behaviors were continuously recorded during this period. Eat-
ing time, ruminating time, ruminating boluses, eating chews,
ruminating chews, other activity time (time spent not in eating,
ruminating or drinking), lying time, standing time, walking time,
lie down, stand up, lying bouts, standing bouts, walking bouts
and number of strides were the parameters considered. Cows’
health status was continuously monitored by means of general
clinical examination (every other day) and weekly complete
blood analysis [d -14 and d -7 pre-calving, day of calving (d 0)

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ORAL — Cattle Welfare
as well as + d 7 post-calving]. Animals affected by ≥1 disease
were considered sick.
RumiWatch® data were converted into 24-hours summa-
ries, and days around calving (d -1, d 0 and d +1) were exclud-
ed from the analysis. The mean values of wk -2 (from d -14 to
d -8), wk -1 (from d -7 to d -2) and wk +1 (from d +2 to d +7)
relative to calving were calculated. Moreover, activities reg-
istered on the day, the disease was first clinically diagnosed
(dd0), one and two days before disease diagnosis were also
described (dd -1 and dd -2, respectively). Lastly, differences
between dd0 vs. dd-1 (ΔD1), dd0 vs. wk -1 (ΔD2), and wk +1
vs. wk -1 (Δweeks) were assessed.
Results: At the end of the clinical monitoring phase, cows
were divided in group S (n=24 sick cow; all of them diagnosed
in wk +1) and group H (n=18 healthy cows). No intra-group dif-
ference was observed between wk -2 and -1, for both of them.
In group S, eating and ruminating parameters were significant-
ly decreased in wk +1 compared to wk -1, while no difference
was detected in group H, for the same time period. In groups S
and H, standing and walking time as well as number of strides
were significantly increased in wk +1 compared to wk -1. Lying
time was instead significantly decreased in wk +1 compared
to wk -1, in both groups.
Regarding the inter-group difference in feeding and rumi-
nation behaviours, at wk +1 and dd0, eating and ruminating
time, eating chews and ruminating chews, as well as ruminat-
ing boluses, were significantly lower in group S compared to
group H, while other activity time was significantly higher. For
ΔD2 and Δweeks, the difference between eating and ruminat-
ing time, eating and ruminating chews was significantly lower
in group S compared to group H. Regarding the locomotion
behaviours, at wk +1 and dd-2, the lying time in group S was
significantly higher compared to group H, while the standing
time was significantly lower. In addition, the number of strides
was significantly lower in group S compared to group H, at wk
+1.
Conclusions: The present study investigates for the first
time behavioural changes over time of cows associated with
spontaneous diseases. The combined use of Rumiwatch®
noseband sensor and pedometer allows to detect the disease
state mainly at the day of clinical diagnosis. The model consid-
ering the change over time of the variables eat chews, rumi-
nate chews and other activity time achieved the highest accu-
racy in detecting cows with a health disorder in week +1. The
results of the study show that novel precision dairy farming
technologies may provide essential support for early disease
detection, allowing to improve animals’ health and well-being
as well as the overall farm efficiency.
Keywords: Behaviour, accelerometer, cow, precision
farming, peripartum.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
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CW-11
Effects of individual compared to pair housing on behaviour
and activity of dairy calves
Sophie Mahendran, Claire Wathes, Richard Booth, Nicola Blackie.
Royal Veterinary College, London, United Kingdom.
Objectives: Behaviour is an indicator of calf welfare, and
is affected by both the management system of the farm as well
as the health of the animals. It has been shown that calves
will exert effort in order to achieve social contact with another,
preferring full body contact in comparison to head contact only
(Holm et al., 2002). Socialisation by pair housing of calves is
now recognised to effect consumption of solid feed (De Paula
Vieira et al., 2010; Jensen et al., 2015; Whalin et al., 2018)
such that [pair housed calves end up significantly heavier than
individually housed calves at weaning (Pempek et al., 2016).
However, the behavioural effects of housing type is still limited,
so the aim of this study was to establish levels of different calf
behaviours (cross sucking, lying times and bouts, novel object
approach) between individually and pair housed calves.
Materials and methods: This study was conducted on a
single commercial dairy farm in the South-West of England,
milking 1800 Holstein and Jersey dairy cows in an all year
round calving pattern. Calves were moved from a group calv-
ing pen at 12 hours of age into housing within a large shed,
using a commercially available partition system (Calf-Tel,
USA) that allowed either individual or pair housing of calves
until 8 weeks of age. Calves were enrolled between March
and May 2020, and were systematically allocated at birth into
individual or pair housing groups. Calves were fitted with a
tri-axis pedometer (IceQube, Ice Robotics, UK) applied to the
hind limb of calves within 1 week of age using a velcro strap.
These measured calf activity (via motion index), lying times
and lying bouts. A novel object approach study was conduct-
ed, with placement of an umbrella into each calf pen during
the sixth week of age. The time was measured from placement
of the umbrella until it was touched by the nose of a calf, with
non-approach given after 10 minutes. In pair pens, the time
was stopped when just one of the calves made contact with
the umbrella. In addition, a subset of calves had CCTV placed
above their pens to enable video analysis on six non-consecu-
tive days to assess cross sucking behaviour and lying proxim-
ity of the pair calves to each other. This footage was manually
analysed for occurrence of cross sucking on another calf and
sucking on inanimate objects.
Results: A total of 90 calves were enrolled, with 23 on
individually housed calves and 67 on pair house calves. When
assessing calf activity, the motion index was significantly asso-
ciated with the housing group (F1,83 = 440.3, p < 0.01), with pair
housed calves having a higher mean value of 4503.6 ± 117.5
compared to 4388.0 ± 179.2 in individually housed calves. The
Motion Index was significantly associated with the month of
enrolement (F1,83 = 3.5, p = 0.019), and with the occurrence of
disease in a calf (F1,83 = 3.0, p = 0.088), with diseased calves
having a lower motion index of 4137.2 ± 153.5 compared to
non-disease calves 4678.5 ± 120.7. The Motion Index was not
associated with the breed of the calf (F1,83 = 2.4, p = 0.13). The
novel object approach was significantly affected by housing
group (p < 0.01), with individually housed calves approach-

ing the novel object in a mean of 84.0 ± 9.4 seconds (SEM),
and pair housed calves approaching in 121.2 ± 9.2 seconds
(SEM). Individually housed calves carried out more sucking on
inanimate objects than pair housed calves.
Conclusions: There were significant impacts on calf be-
haviour associated with the type of housing a calf was kept in.
Pair housed calves were more active overall, with activity gen-
erally linked to positive welfare indicators. Individually housed
calves were significantly quicker at approaching the novel ob-
ject, suggesting that these isolated calves are more interested
in changes to their environment, possibly due to boredom or
loneliness. These findings would suggest that pair housing is
beneficial for the behavioural welfare of calves.
Keywords: Calf, housing, behaviour, activity.
CW-12
Seasonal pattern in the incidence rate of preweaning calf
mortality in a large-scale Hungarian dairy herd
Mikolt Bakony, Viktor Jurkovich, Jenő Reiczigel.
University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary.
Objectives: On large scale dairy farms in Hungary, as in
most dairies worldwide, preweaning calves are housed out-
doors in individual hutches. In summer, it is a usual sight that
calves are inactive, cuddled up in the shaded area of the hutch
and are panting at a very high rate. Beyond the apparent wel-
fare concern, heat stress can negatively affect animal health
and productivity. Heat stress in hutch-reared dairy calves,
however, is an overlooked area in the dairy industry. We hy-
pothesized that the thermal stress caused by high ambient
temperature in the summer months negatively affects the sur-
vival rate in preweaning calves.
Material & Methods: The farm management data of Enyin-
gi Agricultural Ltd. (Kiscséripuszta, Hungary, 47°02'12.5"N
18°21'30.1"E) from 1991 to 2015 were used in the analysis.
The farm had an average animal population of 1500-1800 Hol-
stein Friesian cows and their offspring in the studied period.
The calves were housed in individual wooden hutches with
slate roofs from birth until weaning (around 60 days of age).
We collected meteorology data from the National Centers for
Environmental Information (Asheville, NC, USA), using the
data from the Hungarian Meteorological Service station near-
est to the farm (Siófok, Hungary, 46°54'35.1"N 18°02'41.2"E).
Weather data included daily mean, minimum and maximum
of hourly dry bulb temperature measurements. In the first
analysis, we calculated the average daily mortality rates for
calendar months and applied the chi-squared test to compare
the annual distribution of mortality in the two age groups (0
to 14 vs 15 to 60 days). Second, we determined the average
mortality rates of the first age group (0-14 days) in periods
of heat stress and thermoneutral periods and compared them
by Fisher’s exact test. For this purpose, the study period was
divided into consecutive 3-day blocks, and those in which the
mean temperature was at least 22 °C on each day were con-
sidered heat stress periods (risk periods). Blocks with a mean
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Cattle Welfare
temperature between 5-18°C on each day served as refer-
ence. For comparison, we repeated the analysis with 4-day
and 5-day periods and with temperature thresholds 23, 24, 25
and 26 °C.
Results: In the studied period (from 1991 to 2015), 46,899
calves were born on the farm, of which 2,155 died before 60
days of age. The average daily mortality rate of calves young-
er than two months was 9.64 per ten thousand. The average
mortality rate was higher in summer and winter. The monthly
distribution of calf deaths differed between the 0-14 and 15-60
day age groups. The mortality risk ratio of the age group 0 to
14 days compared to the rest (15 to 60 days) was above 2
throughout the year. It was highest in July (6.92), the hottest
month in Hungary, and lowest in January (2.37). In the sec-
ond analysis, the mortality risk in the 0-14 day age group was
twice as high in periods with an average temperature above
22 °C than in periods of thermoneutrality (mean temperature
between 5-18°C). With a daily mean temperature of 25°C or
more (heatwaves), the risks were three times as high as in the
reference period. Varying the length of the reference and risk
periods did not substantially change the calculated measures
of association.
Conclusions: Our results provide evidence against the
common belief that dairy calves cope well with heat. Increased
calf mortality in the hottest month of the year highlights that
heat stress abatement in preweaning calves is just as import-
ant as protection against cold. Heat stress reduction is advised
in outdoor calf rearing when the average daily temperature
reaches 22 °C, which is characteristic of summer weather in a
continental region.
Acknowledgements: Viktor Jurkovich was supported by
the Ministry of Innovation and Technology and the National
Research, Development, and Innovation Fund (grant No.:
MEC_21_R_140844).
Keywords: Dairy calves, heat stress, mortality.
CW-13
How dairy farmers perceive Animal Welfare
Joachim Kleen1, Giuliana Hellmann2, Matthias Kussin2.
1
CowConsult, Großheide-Coldinne, Germany; 2University of Applied
Sciences Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany.
Objectives: Animal Welfare is increasingly debated in the
broader public, and the dairy sector is more frequently debat-
ed for perceived and actual problems around dairy cow hus-
bandry.
While the public debate is generally characterized by state-
ments of conflicting pressure groups, little is known regarding
the attitude and perception of dairy farmers. This study tried
to collect and categorize the opinions of dairy farmers regard-
ing the subject of animal protection and animal welfare. It was
aimed at exploring their perception their attitude regarding the
public debate around the topic and challenges on their respec-
tive farms.
133
ORAL — Cattle Welfare
Material and Methods: Using the method of a semi-struc-
tured interview, an interview guide with 15 open questions was
developed. A total of 12 dairy farmers from various parts of
Germany were interviewed by telephone. Farmers were se-
lected by the technique of theoretical sampling, covering most
farm types present in Germany. Three of the interviewed farm-
ers were female, the age was between 25 and 58. The herd-
size varied between 60 and 5000 cows. The interviews lasted
about 30 mins, were recorded and transcribed. The transcripts
were then analysed for the relevant categories and structured
accordingly. The results in the different categories were then
collected and compared.
Results: The farmers generally define „Animal Protection”
close to the wording of the German Law on Animal Protec-
tion as legal base for their work. The farmers felt responsi-
ble to protect animals from pain and suffering and meet the
physiological needs of the animals. All farmers judged their
farms having a high standard of animal welfare; on all farms,
however, practicable examples for possible improvement were
named. Practices as e.g., dehorning or calf separation were
seen critically by some farmers. Contrary to the legal term “An-
imal Protection”, the term “Animal Welfare” was not uniformly
understood by the farmers. This term was regularly associated
as a terminology to be used in marketing and sales of dairy
products.
Animal Health was perceived as highly important by all
farmers. All rejected the idea to cut costs in therapy or pre-
vention for economical reasons. Prevention was generally pre-
ferred over therapy and investments in preventive measures
were seen as logical.
All interviewed farmers rejected a negative correlation
between herd size and animal welfare. Some farmers stated
that larger farms had more opportunity to structure their farms,
allowing better trained people to spend more time with the an-
imals; this could have positive effects on animal health and
welfare. Problems with farm staff like fluctuation could, how-
ever, have a strong negative impact on the Animal Welfare.
Farmers stated that public debate around Animal Welfare
issues did not influence their professional attitude and work,
nevertheless affected them emotionally. The debate was per-
ceived as being unfair and negative consequences for then
economic situation of the sector are expected. While farmers
do criticize the knowledge of the consumer public, they say
they remain open for discussion and wishes.
In the opinion of the farmers interviewed, weak points of
the dairy sector are dehorning, shortage of qualified staff,
overburdening of farmers, little appreciation of male calves
and the condition of cull cows.
Farmers see a huge potential in animal breeding: In their
opinion, genomics offer potential to improve Animal Health
and Welfare. Conversely, breeding is getting more complex
and needs careful selection. Farmers generally disapprove of
a genetic selection towards higher production only.
Discussion: The study offered insight into the ideas and
perceptions of dairy farmers. All farmers interviewed had a
high level of education which needs to be considered when
interpreting the results. While “Animal Protection” appears
as undisputed and of high importance to farmers, “Animal
Welfare” is less understood and being considered as a more
theoretical concept. The farmers generally assess the level of
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
134
Animal Protection being high on their farms. This appears to
derive from professional ethics and economic considerations.
Social demands are deemed less relevant. Interviewed farm-
ers presented themselves as considerate in all aspects of An-
imal Welfare and open to discussion on the pros and cons of
modern dairy farming.
Keywords: Animal Welfare, Interview, Ethics.
CW-14
Correlation between Welfare Quality® protocol and
antibiotic usage in portuguese dairy farms
João Cerqueira1, George Stilwell2, Rui D'Orey Branco1.
1
Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Lusófona de
Humanidades e Tecnologias, Lisbon, Portugal; 2Animal Behaviour and
Welfare Lab, CIISA-Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal
Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon,
Portugal.
Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate
the relationship between animal welfare in ten dairy farms in
Portugal with the use of critically or non-critically important an-
tibiotics. We hypothesized that higher Welfare Quality® proto-
col (WQ) results, promote a reduction in the use of critically
important and non-critically important antibiotics.
Methods and materials: Ten farms were used in this study
and were visited between January and September 2021. Farm
size ranged from 35 to 789 milking cows at the time of the visit.
All animals were kept on an intensive-based free-stall produc-
tion system with several diverse bedding choices and were
milked twice a day, with with the exception of one farm where
cows were milked three times a day. All farms were assessed
for animal welfare using the WQ® protocol. Antibiotic use was
obtained from the farms’ treatment records, and only data from
the year prior to the WQ audit was considered. General use
of antibiotics was calculated using the Fifth OIE Annual Re-
port on Antimicrobial Agents Intended for Use in Animals (OIE,
2021) guidelines. For each farm, animal biomass was calcu-
lated, only considering the WQ protocol sample as eligible.
For each milking cow, an average weight of 450kg was con-
sidered. As for dried-up cows and heifers allocated together, a
correlation of 0.8 of a milking cow was applied. Treatment re-
cords from the year prior to the farm visit were transferred into
a Microsoft® Excel for Mac version 16.56 sheet, and antimi-
crobial use was flagged and separated into critically important
antibiotic, if the active substance was from groups “A- Avoid”
or “B- Restrict” of the Antimicrobial Advice Expert Group cat-
egorization; or non-critically important antibiotic, if the active
substance was from groups “C- Caution” or “D- Prudence” of
the Antimicrobial Advice Expert Group categorization (EMA,
2019). Finally, the Fifth OIE Annual Report on Antimicrobial
Agents Intended for Use in Animals (OIE, 2021) adapted for-
mula was applied to both critically and non-critically important
antibiotics and correspondent productive biomass:
Antibiotic usage (mg/Kg)=Antimicrobial agents report-
ed (mg)/Productive biomass (Kg).

The data was stored in a Microsoft® Excel for Mac version
16.56 sheet, and the descriptive statistical analysis and pro-
posed correlations were calculated using RStudio® Mac ver-
sion 2021.09, using Spearman’s bivariate correlation with a
significance level of 5% (p <0.05).
Results: From the farms considered in the study, 80%
obtained the "Enhanced" level, while 20% were classified as
"Acceptable" as the final score. No farms were classified as
"Excellent" or "Not Classified". Critically important antibiotics’
use showed a tendency for a moderate negative correlation
with the “Absence of disease” criteria (p= 0.071). The remain-
ing correlations between critically importance antibiotics use
and the WQ scores, showed no significance (p≥0,336). Also,
there were no significant correlations between non-critically
important antibiotics use and the WQ scores.
Conclusions: Critically important antibiotics tended to be
used less in farms with higher “Good Health” principle score.
Our results show that welfare assessment protocols may be a
way of identifying farms that overuse antibiotics.
References:
EMA. (2019). Categorisation of antibiotics in the Europe-
an Union Answer. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/
report/categorisation-antibiotics-european-union-answer-re-
quest-european-commission-updating-scientific_en.pdf
OIE. (2021). Fifth OIE Annual Report on Antimicrobial
Agents Intended for Use in Animals - OIE - World Organisation
for Animal Health. https://www.oie.int/en/document/fifth-oie-an-
nual-report-on-antimicrobial-agents-intended-for-use-in-ani-
mals/
Welfare Quality. (2009). Welfare Quality Assessment
protocol for cattle. Welfare Quality® Assessment Protocol
for Cattle, 1–142. http://www.welfarequalitynetwork.net/net-
work/45848/7/0/40
Keywords: Animal welfare, Welfare Quality® , Dairy cow,
Critically important antibiotics, Non-critically important antibi-
otics
CW-15
Adapting a New Zealand animal welfare assessment
protocol for extensive beef systems in Namibia
Y. Baby Kaurivi, Richard Laven, Kevin Stafford, Tim Parkinson,
Rebecca Hickson.
Massey University, School of Veterinary Science, Palmerston North,
New Zealand.
Objectives: Although beef production differs significantly
between New Zealand and Namibia in terms of cattle manage-
ment systems, topography and climate, both countries have
extensive beef systems with a focus on exporting beef to lu-
crative markets. Thus, beef from both countries is expected to
conform to the high animal welfare standards demanded by
these markets. This is increasingly likely to require a formal
assessment. However, simply transferring protocols devel-
oped for industrialized intensive systems to extensive systems
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Cattle Welfare
is not appropriate. Assessment systems need to be developed
for the system they are testing. We have recently created a
specific welfare assessment for extensive pasture-based beef
cattle in New Zealand using measures from Welfare Quality
and the UC Davis Cow-Calf protocol, with additional New
Zealand-specific measures. The aim of this study was to test
this protocol on semi-desert rangeland-based beef cow-calf
production systems in Namibia and adapt it to those conditions.
Material and Methods: The protocol was tested on 55
Namibia beef properties (17 commercial farms, 20 semi-
commercial farming villages and 18 communal farming
villages) in autumn (March to April). Cows were assessed
in the yards during a pregnancy test (total 2459 cows) and
at grazing. Stockmanship was evaluated by observing cow
handling alongside yard design and facilities. A questionnaire
guided interview with the fam manager was used to assess
the health and management of cattle. Follow-up visits in
winter evaluated changes in animal health, welfare and cattle
management.
Results: We identified several issues that were not covered
by the New Zealand-developed protocol, including compulsory
cattle hot iron branding, ticks, flies, predation, snake bites,
plant poisoning, and recurrent drought. There were also
significant differences across the Namibian beef properties in
the feasibility of applying the protocol. For commercial farms,
the quality of the yards and the handling facilities were similar
to those seen in New Zealand. In contrast, the facilities on the
semi-commercial and communal properties were of a lower
standard. This was exacerbated by the persistent drought
that was present during the study period, which meant that
cattle on semi-commercial and communal farms often had a
long-distance to go grazing or water so were unavailable for
assessment outside of very early morning. Additionally, many
of those farms had cattle at temporary grazing sites where
facilities were even poorer with yards made of thorn bushes
and tree stumps and no separate pens. This resulted in diffi-
cult and protracted cattle handling which was accompanied by
shouting and hitting from cattle handlers. Other welfare issues
identified on semi-commercial and communal farms were the
presence of horns on most cattle, and multiple brands and
brand wounds.
A key part of the assessment is setting targets for welfare.
For some assessment measures, there is an effect of the sys-
tem on the likely welfare impact. For example, in spring, most
New Zealand beef cows have watery feces. This is not a wel-
fare issue. In contrast, similar levels of diarrhea in Namibian
cows in spring would indicate a welfare problem. However, as
much as possible, assessment should be consistent across
systems and countries, with similar targets for similar condi-
tions. For a cow, the welfare impact of a broken tail does not
vary across systems, so why should the target vary between
systems? Nevertheless, if systems are extremely different then
targets may have to be modified. This is particularly apparent
when comparing body condition (as an indicator of nutrition)
between New Zealand and Namibian beef cattle. The drought
meant that more than 40% of cows on communal farms were
classified as emaciated, levels which would result in prose-
cution on New Zealand farms. Setting body condition score
targets for Namibian farms based on New Zealand targets is
not going to be appropriate, but if the targets are made too
easy then they are no longer useful for meeting the welfare
135
ORAL — Cattle Welfare
demands of overseas consumers.
Conclusion: This study is the first integral step towards
developing welfare assessment and monitoring scheme for
beef cattle in extensive semi-desert rangeland management
such as those in Namibia, with the aim of developing an
assessment which will be useful for both export purposes and
improving the animal welfare standards on Namibian beef
farms.
Keywords: Welfare assessment, beef cattle, New Zea-
land, Namibia.
CW-16
Heat stress in a temperate climate leads to adapted sensor
based behavioral patterns of dairy cows
Peter Hut, Josje Scheurwater, Mirjam Nielen, Jan Van Den Broek,
Miel Hostens.
Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.
Most research on heat stress has focused on  (sub)tropi-
cal climates. The effects of higher ambient temperatures on
the daily behavior of dairy cows in a maritime and temperate
climate are less well studied. With this retrospective observa-
tional study, we address that gap by associating the daily time
budgets of dairy cows in the Netherlands with daily tempera-
ture and temperature humidity index (THI) variables.
During a period of four years,  cows on  eight commercial
dairy farms in the Netherlands were equipped with a neck and
leg sensors to collect data from 4345 cow lactations regard-
ing  their daily time budget. The time spent eating, ruminat-
ing, lying, standing and walking was recorded. Individual cow
data was divided into  three datasets: 1) lactating cows from
five farms with a conventional milking system (CMS) and pas-
ture access, 2) lactating cows from three farms with an auto-
matic milking system (AMS) without pasture access, and 3)
dry cows from all eight farms.
Hourly environment temperature and relative humidity
data from the nearest weather station of the Dutch National
Weather Service (KNMI) was used for THI calculation for each
farm. Based on heat stress thresholds from previous studies,
daily mean  temperatures  were  grouped  into  seven catego-
ries: 0 (< 0°C), 1 (0-12°C, reference category), 2 (12-16°C), 3
(16-20°C), 4 (20-24°C), 5 (24-28°C) and 6 ( ≥ 28°C); THI val-
ues were grouped as follows: 0 (THI < 30), 1 (THI 30- 56, ref-
erence category), 2 (THI 56-60), 3 (THI 60-64), 4 (THI 64-68),
5 (THI 68-72) and 6 (THI ≥ 72). To associate daily mean tem-
perature and THI with sensor based behavioral parameters of
dry cows  and of lactating cows  from AMS  and  CMS  farms,
generalized linear mixed models were used.  In addition,  as-
sociations  between sensor data and  other climate variables
such as  daily maximum and minimum temperature and THI
were analyzed.
On the warmest days, eating  time in the CMS group de-
creased by 92 min/day, in the AMS group by 87 min/day and
in the dry group by  75  min/day  compared to the  reference
category. Lying time in the CMS group decreased by 36 min/
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
136
day, in the AMS group by 56 min/day, and in the dry group by
33 min/day. Adaptation to daily temperature and THI was al-
ready noticeable from a mean temperature of 12°C or a mean
THI of 56, above, when dairy cows started spending less time
lying  and  eating  and  spent  more time standing.  Further, ru-
mination time showed a decrease, though only in dry cows
and cows on AMS farms.  With  higher values for daily mean
THI and temperature, walking time decreased as well. These
patterns were very similar for temperature and THI variables.
These results show that dairy cows in temperate climates
begin to  adapt  their behavior  at a  relatively low  mean envi-
ronmental temperature or THI. In the temperate maritime cli-
mate of the Netherlands, they indicate that daily mean tem-
perature suffices to study the effects of behavioral adaptation
to heat stress in dairy cows.
Keywords: Dairy cow, heat stress, sensor data, time bud-
get.
CW-17
Sensor based continuous heart rate monitoring in calves to
evaluate stress induced by different sampling techniques of
the respiratory tract
Florian Debruyne1, Glenn Van Steenkiste1, Jade Bokma1, Stan
Jourquin1, Thomas Lowie1, Justine Clinquart1, Daniel Berckmans2,
Bart Pardon1.
Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population
1
Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; 2M3-BIORES- Measure,
Model & Manage Bioresponses, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Objectives: In recent years samples of the respiratory tract
are more frequently taken to rationalize antimicrobial use. It is
currently unknown how stressful or painful these techniques
are and whether differences exist between commonly used
methods like deep nasopharyngeal swabbing (DNS), non-en-
doscopic bronchoalveolar lavage (nBAL) or transtracheal
wash (TTW). Heart rate monitoring holds potential as a preci-
sion livestock farming application for evaluation of production
efficiency and animal welfare (detection of stress, pain and
(positive) excitement). Sensor-based heart rate monitoring is
largely unexplored in calves. Therefore, the objective of this
study was to compare the effects of DNS, nBAL and TTW on
parameters derived from sensor-based continuous heart rate
measurements in relation to resting heart rate and changes
associated with feeding. Additionally, behavior, cortisol and
substance P were determined.
Materials and Methods: A crossover study was con-
ducted under experimental conditions, including 5 male Hol-
stein-Friesian calves. Inclusion criteria were absence of pneu-
monia by thoracic ultrasonography and no failure of passive
transfer. During the study the calves were individually housed
in a straw-bedded pen, each with an individual top view cam-
era. Each calf was equipped with a sensor (Movesense, Van-
taa, Finland), which transmitted to a self-developed gateway
(ESP-32) in the top view camera, attached to a chest strap.
The sensor continuously collected heart rate measurements.

Data was transferred when a change in heart rate was no-
ticed (inherent to the sensor software). Five sessions were or-
ganized, and calves were randomly assigned to one of the 5
test groups (negative control, only fixation for 2 minutes, DNS
sampling, nBAL sampling, TTW sampling).
Pain scoring was done according to the pain face checklist
by an examiner at -2h, +3h, +7h, +22h and +27h relative to the
respiratory tract sampling. A permanent catheter was placed in
the jugular vein and blood samples were collected at -1h, 0h,
+1h, +5h and +24h relative to the sampling.
Heart rate data were filtered using a Savitzky-Golayfil-
ter and different variables were calculated for analysis be-
ing, mean heart rate, area under the curve of the handling
(AUChandling), AUC of the handling/time (corrected for the length
of the handling), the triangular index and the LF/HF ratio (Low
frequency power (LF)/High frequency power (HF)) . Resting
heart rate was defined as the mean heart rate outside feed-
ing or handling procedures. By visual inspection the length of
the ‘event’, being the positive deviation from resting heart rate,
was determined. Similarly, the AUC of the event (AUCevent) and
the AUC/time of the event were calculated. Analysis was done
by linear mixed models in R. Additionally, behavior, cortisol
and substance P were determined.
Results: Resting heart rate, was 98.39 beats per minute
(bpm) (standard deviation (SD)=25.0; quantile (q) (0.02)=63.0;
q(0.98)=158.1). The average of DNS, nBAL and TTW sam-
pling was 124.6 bpm (SD=25.5; q(0.02)=87.6; q(0.98)=171.9),
115.6 bpm (SD=16.5; q(0.02)=81.2; q(0.98)=144.7), and
108.5 bpm (SD=19.7; q(0.02)=74.4; q(0,98)=167.6), respec-
tively. Mean heart rate during the handling procedure was
111.7 bpm (SD=18.4; q(0.02)=81.8; q(0.98)=165.9), whereas
this was 142.1 bpm (SD=26,9; q(0.02)=92.2; q(0.98)=191.4)
during feeding. The LF/HF ratio during feeding was significant-
ly (P<0.05) higher than all of the sampling techniques. LF/HF
was significantly larger in DNS sampling compared to control,
nBAL and fixation (P<0.05). The triangular index was signifi-
cantly higher in feeding events compared to control and all
sampling procedures (P<0.05), but no differences between
sampling procedures could be shown. There were no signif-
icant differences between the sampling procedures in any of
the other heart rate variables studied. Mean heart rate was
significantly lower in the last two sessions compared to the first
one, which is likely an age or habituation effect.
Conclusions: The presented sensor system provided
continuous and reliable heart rate measurements in calves.
In this study, LF/HF ratio was the most promising parameter
for non-invasive stress-evaluation in calves. Calves appeared
to cope reasonably well with respiratory sampling techniques
when compared to feeding events. Based on the LF/HF ratio,
DNS sampling would be more stressful compared to the oth-
er methods. Confirmation of current findings on more animals
and further evaluation of stress and pain induction by sampling
methods by behavioral monitoring and blood analysis needs
to be done.
Keywords: Heart rate variability, LF/HF ratio, Deep na-
sopharyngeal swabbing, Non-endoscopic bronchoalveolar
lavage.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Cattle Welfare
CW-19
Qualitative Analysis of working employees' motivation and
satisfaction on two large dairy farms
Joachim Lübbo Kleen1, Anna Wasmuth2.
CowConsult, Coldinne, Germany; 2University of Applied Sciences,
1
Osnabrück, Germany.
Objectives: As dairy herds continue to grow in size glob-
ally, employees play an increasingly important role: Their mo-
tivation and satisfaction are crucial factors in animal welfare
and production. The specific demands in terms of work flow,
hours working and the proximity to animals seems to make
it increasingly difficult for dairy farms to recruit personnel.
A competition among farms for personnel is frequently ob-
served. As there is little information on the role of employees
in relation to animal welfare and health, information on factors
relevant for the motivation and satisfaction of personnel were
to be collected. It was to be determined whether factors creat-
ing satisfaction (Hygiene factors) and motivation (Motivators)
were discernible. The role of the animals in work satisfaction
and motivation was to be analysed.
Material & Methods: The dairy farms chosen for this
study had a herd size of 1300 and 750 cows, respectively. 17
employees of the farms were interviewed using a semi struc-
tured interview. The interviews were transcribed, encoded and
analysed for relevant information concerning the status quo of
satisfaction and motivation. Categories of relevant information
were formed and summarized.
Results: Various factors affected individual motivation and
satisfaction of employees. As positive factors were identified
intrinsic motivation to work within a team, as well as organi-
zation of work and holiday by the farm management. Working
with animals was positive for most employees. Negative fac-
tors were failure of farm equipment, animal health problems
and little recognition of achievements by the respective supe-
rior. There was little intrinsic motivation recognisable towards
actively improving the animal welfare and health situation.
Conclusion: The 17 semi-structured interviews can
serve as an example for the attitude of personnel working on
large dairy farms, the results must however not be general-
ized. While animal-related factors incite a sense of responsi-
bility and working with them created satisfaction, there was
little motivation in employees to actively improve the situation
if deficits were recognized. Such deficits were nevertheless
identified as creating dissatisfaction among employees. Un-
specific factors such as working environment, colleagues
and organization of working hours were regularly mentioned
as source of dissatisfaction. It was not possible to clearly dif-
ferentiate between hygiene factors and motivators, respec-
tively. The status quo was identified as being either a state
of "pseudo-satisfaction" or "fixed dissatisfaction". Further re-
search on the role of employees seems to be necessary. On
the farms surveyed, the staff felt responsible for the animals
but did not feel able to change deficits by themselves. This
may be interpreted as a cognitive dissonance which may fur-
ther deteriorate motivation of the staff. The method of quali-
tative analysis was appropriate to understand the situation of
farm personnel.
137
ORAL — Cattle Welfare
Keywords: Motivation, Satisfaction, Interview, Communi-
cation, Consulting.
CW-20
Relation between hair-cortisol concentration and welfare
assessment protocols in dairy cows
Frank Van Eerdenburg, Tessa Hof, Bente Doeve, Lars Ravesloot,
Rebecca Nordquist, Franz-Josef Van Der Staay.
Fac Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht, Netherlands.
Objectives: Several protocols have been developed to
assess farm animal welfare. However, the validity of these
protocols is still subject to debate. The present study aimed
to validate and compare eight welfare assessment protocols
for dairy farms. Long term stress has a negative influence on
animal welfare. Because the hair cortisol level is related to
stress over a long period of time, a negative correlation be-
tween cortisol and the result of the welfare protocol scores
was expected.
Material & Methods: On 58 dairy farms, spread over the
Netherlands, the following assessment protocols were ap-
plied: Welfare Quality©; a modified version of Welfare Quali-
ty; KoeKompas (= Cow Compass); WelzijnsWijzer (=Welfare
Indicator); a new Welfare Monitor; Continue Welzijns Monitor
(Continuous Welfare Monitor); Cow Comfort Scoring System
and the Welfare Index. On each farm, hair was collected from
10 cows to measure cortisol concentrations. Correlation coef-
ficients were calculated between each of the welfare assess-
ment protocol scores and mean hair cortisol concentrations.
Results: Only Koekompas (ρ = -0.23) and a simple wel-
fare estimation by veterinarians (ρ = -0.28) had a weak, but
significant, negative correlation with hair cortisol. Additionally,
the modified Welfare Quality® protocol parameters housing
(ρ = -0.30), the new Welfare Monitor parameter health (ρ =
-0.33), and milk yield (ρ = -0.33) showed non-significant nega-
tive correlations with cortisol.
Conclusion: Because only five out of all the parameter
scores from the welfare assessment protocols showed a neg-
ative correlation with cortisol, the protocols might not be re-
liable or, alternatively, hair cortisol levels may not be a valid
indicator for stress in dairy cattle.
Keywords: Welfare assessment, cortisol, stress.
CW-21
Herd-level risk factors for calf and cow mortality in
Estonian dairy herds
Kaari Reimus1, Karin Alvåsen2, Ulf Emanuelson2, Kerli Mõtus1.
Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia; 2Swedish
1
University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
138
Objectives: On-farm mortality (unassisted death and eu-
thanasia) is an unwanted loss of an animal which negatively
affects farm economy. On-farm mortality rates reflect animal
welfare status and high rates indicate deteriorated animal
health. The objective of this study was to determine the asso-
ciations between herd characteristics, animal housing condi-
tions and management routines and within-herd calf and cow
mortality rates in Estonian dairy herds.
Material and methods: The study population included all
dairy farms enrolled in the Estonian voluntary production re-
cording system with herd size of ≥20 cow-years in 2015-2017.
A questionnaire was developed to collect data about manage-
ment routines and housing conditions of calves and cows. The
338 farmers fulfilling the inclusion criteria were contacted by
mail or telephone between October 2017 and March 2018. In
total, 214 completed questionnaires were gathered. The with-
in-herd mortality rates of calves (21-90 days) and cows (over
24 months) in years 2017-2018 were calculated and used as
outcome variables. Negative binomial and linear regression
models were applied for risk factor analysis in calf and cow
datasets, respectively.
Results: The final datasets for calves and cows includ-
ed 212 farms (usable response rate was 62.7%). The medi-
an within-herd mortality rate for calves aged 21-90 days was
0.15 per 100 calf-months (quartiles 0.00; 0.36). The median
within-herd mortality rate for cattle over 24 months of age was
4.57 per 100 cow-years (quartiles 2.44; 6.86). Factors signifi-
cantly associated with the increase of mortality of calves were
larger herd size (p = 0.005), higher proportion of stillbirths
and abortions (p < 0.001), prophylactic administration of vita-
mins to all calves (p = 0.041) and housing pre-weaned calves
in single pens only compared to housing in both single and
group pens (p = 0.020). Also, farmers that attended trainings
more frequently had higher calf mortality rates (p = 0.008).
Having calvings only in group pens or tie-stalls compared to
multiple places was associated with higher calf mortality rates
(p = 0.020). Higher cow mortality rates were present in farms
where employees handled cows (p < 0.001). Also, farms lo-
cated in the North-East part of Estonia had higher calf (p =
0.020) and cow (p < 0.001) mortality rates. Housing cows in
freestall barns (p = 0.008), grazing cows (p = 0.006) and more
frequent hoof trimming (p = 0.002) reduced within-herd cow
mortality rates.
Conclusions: On-farm mortality rates in Estonian dairy
herds are similar to what has been reported in other countries.
Still, a high between-herd variability in on-farm mortality rates
in calves and cows was confirmed. Study results suggest that
housing conditions have impact on the health and welfare of
dairy cattle. Providing more natural keeping conditions to cows
(freestall housing, grazing), mitigating important herd health
problems (lameness, reproduction health) and motivating farm
personnel could be considered as key factors in achieving im-
provements in on-farm mortality rates.
Keywords: Dairy cattle, euthanasia, mortality, unassisted
death, housing conditions.

CW-22
Evaluation of the association between health status and
other risk factors and low sale price in Québec veal calf
markets
Salvatore Ferraro, Marianne Villettaz-Robichaud, Anne-Sophie
Perrault, Gilles Fecteau, Sébastien Buczinski.
Département de sciences cliniques, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire,
Université de Montréal, Saint Hyacinthe, Canada.
Objectives: The first objective of this study was to evaluate
health status of young calves sold in the two largest Québec
auction markets. The second objective was to assess which
individual characteristic had an impact on the calf’s sale price.
Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was con-
ducted during in “month” of 2019 in two auction markets in
Québec, Canada. Calves’ health was assessed upon arrival
using umbilical characteristics (presence of umbilical cord,
dampness, swelling, and pain). Presence of sunken eye and
positive skin tent test, nasal and ocular discharge, lameness,
dropped ears was also evaluated. Evaluation of body score
and hide cleanliness was recorded.
A study was performed to assess individual characteristics
associated with a low sales price per kg. Calves sold with a
price under 10th percentile of the day were considered as cas-
es and calves sold more than 50th percentile were considered
as controls.
Results: A total of 1 871 calves were enrolled in the study.
Of these, 81.8% were males. The majority were Holstein
(76.0%), 15.7% were Angus crossbreed, 4.3% were other
beef crossbreeds, and 4.0% were non-Holstein dairy breed.
Umbilical cord was present in 39.7% of calves. Wet umbili-
cus was present in 4.4% of calves. Umbilical swelling was ob-
served in 17.5% calves. A total of 5.7% of calves were painful
during umbilical palpation. Sunken eyes and skin stent greater
than 2 sec. were present in 14.0% and 22.7% of calves, re-
spectively. Ocular discharge was present in 41.5%, and nasal
discharge observed in 0.1% of calves. Lameness was pres-
ent in 0.5% of calves. Body condition was considered low in
4.6% of calves. Dirty hide was observed in 14.1% of calves.
Diarrhea was observed in 2.6% of calves. Dropped ears were
noted in 0.9% of calves.
The odds ratios to be a case were significantly higher for
non-Holstein dairy breeds versus Holstein (OR=12.5, 95% CI
5.5-33.3), female calves (OR=4.6, 95% CI 3.2- 6.9), calves
having a poor body condition (OR=9.1, 95% CI 16.6-4.50),
calves presenting sunken eye (OR=2.1, 95% CI 1.4-3.2) or
having a skin stent greater than 2 sec. (OR=1.9, 95% CI 1.3-
2.7) and calves presenting dropped ears (OR=3.57, 95% CI
1.77-11.1).
Conclusion: The most frequent abnormal clinical signs
observed in this study are related to the umbilicus and hydra-
tion status. Breed, sex and some clinical signs appears to im-
pact the sales price in calves sold at auction market.
Future studies could aim to better understand if these
anomalies are present before leaving the farm of origin or are
occurring during transportation from the farm to the auction
market.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Cattle Welfare
Keywords: Veal calf, auction market.
CW-23
Pain detection of cows with mastitis in the barn and at
milking: a piece of cake?
Ginger Laure1, Ledoux Dorothée1, Bouchon Matthieu2, Rautenbach
Isabelle1, Bagnard Charlotte1, Lurier Thibaud3, Foucras Gilles4,
Germon Pierre5, Durand Denys1, De Boyer Des Roches Alice1.
1
Université Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR Herbivores,
Saint-Genès-Champanelle, France; 2INRAE, Herbipôle, Saint-Genès-
Champanelle, France; 3Université de Lyon, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR
EPIA, Marcy l'Etoile, France; 4Université de Toulouse, ENVT, INRAE,
IHAP, Toulouse, France; 5INRAE, UMR ISP, Université François
Rabelais de Tours, Nouzilly, France.
Objectives: Pain is one of the most detrimental factors
affecting dairy cows’ welfare, and induces production losses.
Mastitis is a good model for pain research in cattle, as it is
a commonly occurring inflammatory painful disease. When
induced by LPS infusion in the udder, mastitis has a limited
duration, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
can easily modulate it. To date, there is a lack of knowledge
on the behavioral reaction of mastitic cows in cubicles and at
milking. This study aimed at refining behavioral indicators of
pain in dairy cows with mastitis, according to time and whether
cows were observed in the cubicle barn or at milking.
Materials & Methods: Twenty-seven cows received an
intra-mammary infusion of 25 µg E. coli LPS in one healthy
quarter. Thirteen cows received 3 mg / kg ketoprofen IM
(Ketofen® 10%) in addition to LPS (LPS+NSAID cows), and
14 cows received placebo (20mL NaCl 0.9% IM) instead of
NSAID (LPS cows). Evolution of the local immune response
was assessed using somatic cell counts (SCC) and cytokines/
chemokines quantification. Cows’ response to the challenge
was monitored at regular intervals from 24 hours before to 48
hours post-infusion (hpi) through direct clinical observations
(cardiac, ruminal and respiratory frequencies), through indica-
tors of inflammation (in milk: cytokines/chemokines, haptoglo-
bin, serum Amyloid A (SAA)) and stress (cortisol in blood and
in milk), and through direct behavioral observations in the barn
(i.e. postures, activity, social behavior, ear positions, etc.) and
at milking (i.e. steps, lifts, kicks).
Results: In LPS cows, infusion induced significant chang-
es of endocrinal, inflammatory and clinical parameters. Blood
cortisol peaked at (mean [95% IC]) 69.18 [48.98-97.72] ng/ml
at 3 hpi and remained above 65 ng/ml at 7 hpi. Milk cortisol
peaked at 1.69 [1-3.01] ng/ml at 7hpi. SCC peaked at 1.8 x
107 cells/ml at 7 hpi and remained above 8 x 106 cells/ml until
48 hpi. IL-6, IL-1b and CXCL8 peaked at 7 hpi (respectively:
1.9 [1.7-3.0] x 103 nmg/ml; 1.6 [0.7-2.3] x 102 ng/ml; 2.7 [1.7-
7.0] x 103 ng/ml). SAA in milk significantly increased at 7 hpi,
24 hpi, 31 hpi and peaked at 7.4 [4.5-12.8] x 104 ng/ml) 48
hpi. More LPS cows stopped feeding/ruminating and pressed
their tail between their legs at 3, 5, and 24 hpi than before (P
< 0.05 in all cases). They also tend to be more numerous to
139
ORAL — Cattle Welfare
be apathetic, dropping their head and dropping their ears at 5
hpi (P = 0.07 in all cases). At milking, significantly more LPS
cows were lift their hooves at forestripping at 7 hpi than before
(P=0.04.
LPS+NSAID and LPS cows showed similar pattern of re-
sponses for milk cortisol, SCC, respiratory rate, mAA, hapto-
globin, IL-6, IL-1b and CXCL8 (P > 0.05). Compared to LPS
cows, LPS+NSAID cows had significantly lower plasmatic cor-
tisol levels at 3 hpi (61.66 [24.57-144.54] ng/ml). At 7 hpi, com-
pared to LPS cows, LPS+NSAIDs cows’ rectal temperature
decreased by 0.66 [(-0.85)-(-0.48)] °C, their rumen motility rate
increased by 1.04 [0.34-1.75] contraction/min. At 31 hpi, com-
pared to LPS cows, LPS+NSAID cows’ heart rate increased
by 8.44 [1.00-15.91] beats/min, and their rumen motility rate
increased by 0.89 [0.19-1.60] contraction/min. Compared to
LPS cows, a larger proportion of LPS+NSAID cows were feed-
ing or ruminating (P = 0.02), and few of them had ears down
(P = 0.04) at 5 hpi; they were more numerous to lie down at
24 hpi (P = 0.02).
Conclusion: This study confirms the benefits to use be-
havioral indicators to early detect pain associated with mas-
titis in dairy cows, particularly during milking. These behav-
ioral indicators (feeding/ruminating, tail position, reactivity at
forestripping) could be useful for early detection of mastitis
and for decision-making regarding the initiation of pain-relief
treatment during mastitis in dairy cows. This will contribute to
animal welfare improvement.
Keywords: Dairy cow, Pain, Behaviour, Welfare, Detection.
CW-24
First approach to monitoring animal welfare with Precision
Farming devices during fattening
Alberto Benito Díaz1, Esperanza Domínguez Iralde1, Marta Elena
Alonso De La Varga2, Marina Lozano Marquéz2, Juan Manuel
Lomillos Pérez3, Juan José García García1.
1
Instituto Tecnológico Agrario de Castilla y León, Guijuelo (Salamanca),
Spain; 2Universidad de León, León, Spain; 3Facultad de Veterinaria.
Universidad CEU-Cardenal Herrera, Valencia, Spain.
Objectives: Consumers´ concerns about animal welfare
are continuously increasing and are consider one of the main
sustainability drivers for animal production systems today and
in the future. This study focuses on the possibilities of moni-
toring some animal welfare parameters, such as ruminating,
feeding and resting time, using precision farming (PF) technol-
ogy. The final objective of this work is to help farmers to adapt
their facilities and handling protocols to improve animal wel-
fare based on the objective data obtained with the PF devices.
Materials and methods: Four one year old fattening
crossbred animals, from a commercial beef cattle farm in Sal-
amanca were monitored throughout the last 30 days of the fat-
tening period. Two electronic devices for monitoring variables
of interest were used. On one hand, electronic eartags, with
three dimensional accelerometer that allows determining ani-
mal's activity patterns, were used. Specifically, time spent eat-
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
140
ing, ruminating, and resting were measured every 60 minutes.
On the other hand, ruminal bolus with pH and temperature
sensors that records data every 10 minutes were also used.
Two samples of hair were obtained from the suprascap-
ular region of each animal following the methodology recom-
mended in the revised literature in order to use hair cortisol
concentration (HCC) value as indicator of chronic stress. This
assessment technique made it possible to have an objective
stress measures. Determination based on difference in the ini-
tial and the final HCC during fattening period was carried out
using competitive ELISA (kit ELISA cortisol Neogen 402710)
in the physical-chemical laboratory of the Estación Tecnológi-
ca de la Carne (ITACyL). All data has been statistically an-
alyzed with RStudio software. Interactions among variables
were assessed by Pearson's correlation coefficient. Analysis
of variance (ANOVA) was used to evaluate the significance of
deviation between animals.
Results: The result showed a mean cortisol increase of
0.83 ± 1.93 ng/g and a pH and temperature average of 6,68 ±
0,37 and 39.75 ± 0.098 ºC, respectively. Mean rest time was
22.08 ± 0.41 min/hour. The mean rumination time was 21.98
min/hour with a standard error of 2.92 min/hour. Mean intake
time per hour was 5.92 ± 1.87 min/hour.
This study reported a significant association between some
animal welfare parameters. Elevated cortisol levels were as-
sociated with high temperatures (0.96). Temperature varia-
tions could be due to increased fermentation activity. Long rest
times were related to a decrease in hair cortisol concentra-
tion (-0.89). Therefore, it is essential that the dimensions and
characteristics of farm facilities allow all animals to rest. Lower
pH values were associated with increases in cortisol levels
(-0.61). A balanced diet maintains a stable pH, this improves
animal welfare. Hence, it's important to use feed made with
suitable formulas that prevent digestive pathologies. Positive
effects of rest times on pH (0.88) and negative correlation with
temperature (-0.88) were reported. Intake times were inverse-
ly related to ruminal pH (-0.99).
A pH below 6 maintained for 1430 minutes/day corre-
sponded with the highest cortisol level (6.8 ng/g). Also, the
same animal presented the lowest pH (4.95). In contrast, the
animal with the shortest time (370 min/day) with a pH below 6
showed one of the lowest levels of cortisol (2.32 ng/g).
Conclusions: Based on the presented results it can be
stated that several monitorable parameters can be used to im-
prove animal management during the fattening period, thus
animal welfare is enhanced. Finally, studies on the effect of
cortisol concentration, temperature, ruminal pH, rest time, in-
take time and rumination time on animal welfare are needed to
evaluate current recommendations.
This work was financed by EAFRD funds through the Eu-
ropean Association for Innovation in Agricultural Productivity
and Sustainability (AEI-AGRI), within the framework of the Na-
tional Rural Development Program 2014-2020.
Keywords: Welfare, precision farming, hair cortisol, rumi-
nal pH.

CW-25
Fly repellency effect of deltamethrin improves stress and
fatigue indicators and increases feed consumption of pre-
weaned dairy calves, exposed to heat stress conditions
Konstantinos Arsenopoulos1, Eleftherios Triantafillou2, Athanasios
Gelasakis3, Elias Papadopoulos1.
1
Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, School of Veterinary
Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece;
2
"Vet Analysis" Private Veterinary Microbiological Laboratory, Larissa,
Greece; 3Laboratory of Anatomy and Physiology of Farm Animals,
School of Animal Biosciences, Agricultural University of Athens,
Athens, Greece.
Objectives: The objective of the study was to assess
the fly-repellency effect of deltamethrin on pre-weaned dairy
calves and to quantify its association with serum cortisol (SC)
and creatine kinase (CK) concentrations as well as with feed
consumption in pre-weaned dairy calves, under heat stress
conditions.
Materials and Methods: Two intensively reared dairy cat-
tle herds of Holstein breed located at Thessaloniki (Central
Macedonia, Greece) were involved in the study between July
and August 2020. Fifty calves per farm were assigned in two
similar groups (n=25 per group) according to their age and
gender; deltamethrin treated group (D group) and placebo
treated group (C group). In all cases, 10 mL of deltamethrin
(Deltanil® 10 mg/mL, Virbac Hellas, Greece) was applied once
on pre-weaned dairy calves at the age of 15 days old.  The
enumeration of the fly burden was carried out by direct obser-
vation of the animals every 10 days at the ages of 25, 35, 45
and 55 days to assess the repellency effect of deltamethrin
until weaning. Moreover, 10 fly traps (5 per group) with sticky
surface were set in each farm, in predefined locations, of equal
distances within the pens at the level of the calves. Blood sam-
ples, from each calf, were collected at the forementioned time
points and were transported to the laboratory to be further
assayed. The estimation of SC concentration was performed
with electrochemiluminescence immunoassay method and CK
concentration was estimated using spectrophotometry. Daily
consumption of concentrates and roughages were estimated
per calf and calculated by subtracting daily refusals from the
offered amount. Temperature-humidity index (THI) was used
to describe severity of heat stress the studied calves experi-
enced. The differences of the meteorological data were esti-
mated with the chi-square test. Inverse Gaussian regression
models were used to estimate the random effect of the sth calf
and the fixed effects of deltamethrin treatment, the sampling
occasion, and the farm on the SC and CK levels, flies’ number,
and daily consumption of concentrates and roughages. All sta-
tistical analyses were performed using SPSS (v23).
Results: THI ranged from 94 to 96 throughout the study,
without statistically significant variations among sampling oc-
casions, indicating that all pre-weaned calves experienced
similar heat stress conditions. In group D, the number of flies
landing on calves was reduced by 60.6 flies (p<0.001) in
comparison to group C. In group D, SC and CK concentra-
tions were reduced by 1.86 μg/dL (p<0.001) and 1101 nkat/L
(p<0.001) when compared to group C. Regarding the feedstuff
consumption, in group D calves the concentrates and rough-
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Cattle Welfare
ages’ consumption was increased by 137 g/day (p<0.001) and
25 g/day (p<0.001), respectively compared to group C.
Conclusions: Fly infestation  challenges health and wel-
fare  of pre-weaned dairy calves, creating unfavorable living
conditions. Heat stress further deteriorates these living condi-
tions, leading to stressful conditions resulting in increased SC
and CK and decreased feed consumption, therefore consist-
ing possible stress and fatigue indicators. Deltamethrin treat-
ment decreased the number of flies landed on pre-weaned
dairy calves, improved SC and CK level and was associated
with increased feed consumption under heat stress conditions,
which characterize Greek summer months.
Keywords: Feed consumption, houseflies, pre-ruminants,
fly-repellent; temperature-humidity index.
CW-26
Structural equation modeling to assess farm level welfare
estimations
Tuomas Herva.
Atria Ltd., Oulu, Finland.
Objectives: Structural equation models (SEM) are widely
used to estimate the magnitude of latent variables, which can-
not be measured directly. It is widely used in psychology, so-
cial sciences and quality of life assessments in humans. There
are many reports using SEM to estimate animal welfare relat-
ed attitudes in people, but I was not able to find any papers
applying SEM to evaluate animal welfare as itself.
I aimed to study animal welfare of Finnish bulls based on
data from the Finnish national herd health scheme NASEVA
and the suitability of SEM for development of NASEVA as a
welfare measure.
Materials and methods: NASEVA is an industry-financed
herd health tool for Finnish cattle farmers and veterinarians.
It includes modified, partially Welfare Quality -based animal
health and welfare estimations on annual farm visits per-
formed by local veterinarians. There are altogether 2 indica-
tors scoring housing, outdoor visits, nutrition, health, behav-
ior and biosecurity from “good” (1) to “action needed” (3). All
indicators scoring housing were used to calculate a housing
index, which was assigned to be 1 if all indicators were 1 and
0 if all indicators were 3.
Atria is the biggest slaughterhouse in Finland. There are
detailed animal level records available for every slaughtered
animal. I selected all 253 farms slaughtering over 50 dairy
breed bulls with available NASEVA data.
SEM was used to find the best predictors and indicators
for welfare in finishing beef farms in Finland. Housing index,
nutrition and health indicators in NASEVA and other farm de-
scriptors were used to find significant causes for latent welfare
variables, which in turn were determined by observed welfare
indicators in slaughter records and on welfare visits. Predicted
values were compared with observed values to estimate the
model fit.
141
ORAL — Cattle Welfare
Scenarios describing relationships between significant
predictive variables, found latent variables and significant wel-
fare indicators were built to be able to explore the found asso-
ciations in practice.
Results: It was possible to determine two separate signifi-
cantly co-varying latent indicators describing animal welfare:
1) ”Risk for impaired welfare” was found to be indicated by
the number of culled animals, the number of bruises in meat
inspection, cleanliness of animals and the number of fatty
carcasses as well as animal behavior, lameness and lesion
scores on welfare visits; 2)“Growth ability” was found to be in-
dicated by the number of fatty carcasses, estimated daily gain
and carcass grade score at the slaughter. However, Indica-
tor variables did not reveal a latent variable describing animal
welfare determined as feelings.
Housing index and farm size were found to be significantly
positively associated with ”Growth ability” and the number of
bruises in meat inspection. Housing index was negatively as-
sociated with ”Risk for impaired welfare”, but positively associ-
ated with the number of culled animals and the number of dirty
animals at the slaughter. Farm size was positively associated
with ”Risk for impaired welfare” and ”Growth ability”.
”Growth ability” was doubled, and ”Risk for impaired wel-
fare” halved when housing index was changing from the worst
to the best. Housing index had a remarkable association with
used welfare indicators as well: for example, the proportion
of good classifications for behavior increased from 60% up to
100% when housing index was changing from the worst to the
best.
Conclusions: SEM was found to be a suitable and practi-
cal tool to evaluate animal welfare and animal welfare estima-
tion protocols on commercial farms. It gives a well structural-
ized picture of on-farm welfare.
NASEVA was found to be a valid tool for animal welfare es-
timation. It allowed a formation of two separate latent variables
describing existing animal welfare on Finnish beef farms. ”Risk
for impaired welfare” is associated with various health and
welfare deteriorations, whereas ”Growth ability” is predicting
high daily gain, carcass fat and grade scores. Adding qualita-
tive behavioral assessment protocol in NASEVA could possi-
bly enable the measurement of animal welfare determined by
feelings.
Keywords: Welfare, bull, housing, growth, bruises.
CW-27
Effects of xylazine administration prior to laparoscopic
abomasopexy as described by Janowitz on cortisol,
substance P, and behavior in cattle
Tschoner-Utza Theresa, Zablotski Yury, Knubben-Schweizer
Gabriela, Feist Melanie.
Clinic for Ruminants with Ambulatory and Herd Health Services at
the Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-
University, Munich, Germany, Oberschleissheim, Germany.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
142
Objectives: Left displacement of the abomasum (LDA)
is a disease diagnosed in cattle all over the world, causing
huge economic losses. Fixation of the abomasum by laparo-
scopic abomasopexy (LA) has first been descrribed in 1998
by Janowitz. Usually, cattle are not sedated due to the risk
of them going down. Studies showed that concentrations of
cortisol, and indicator for stress, fear, and pain in cattle, are
reduced in animals treated with xylazine prior to being put into
lateral recumbency with a tilt table, compared with untreated
animals. The objective of this study was to evaluate cortisol
and substance P concentrations in cattle undergoing LA after
administration of xylazine, compared with a control group, and
to describe behavioral observations and feeding and rumina-
tion time.
Material and Methods: LA was performed in 28 cows
(aged 6.0 ± 2.0 years) with LDA, accodring to a standardized
surgical protocol. Cows were randomly assigned to either
CON (control group, n = 14) or XYL (xylazine treated group, n
= 14). All cows were treated with 10 liters of 0.9% saline and
1 or 2 liters of 40% glucose on the day before surgery, benzyl
penicillin procaine (20.000 IU/kg bodyweight intramuscularly)
from the day before surgery for 4.89  ± 1.26 days, and keto-
profen (3 mg/kg bodyweight intravenously) on the day of the
surgery and the following day. Cows of XYL received xylazine
(2 mg/kg bodyweight intravenously) at the start of the surgery.
Animals of CON received a placebo (0.9% sodium chloride
solution intravenously). Blood samples for determination of
plasma cortisol (PCC) and plasma substance P concentra-
tions (PSPC) and blood gas samples were taken 3 hours be-
fore surgery (baseline, +00:00 hours), at 11:00 am (start of
the surgery, +03:00) and at +03:15, +03:30, +03:45 (dorsal
recumbency), +04:00 (cow standing again, end of surgery),
+04:40, +05:00, +06:00, and +27:00. Behavior of the animals
was assessed on the day of the surgery and the following day
at 08:00 am, 01:00 pm, and 05:00 pm, and during the surgery.
Feeding and rumination time was recorded for 24 hours follow-
ing surgery. Parameters were studied using a multiple linear
mixed effects model.
Results: LA could be performed without any animal go-
ing down due to the sedation. Mean PCC were lower in XYL
than in CON at all times. In CON, PCC increased after the
start of the surgery, with highest concentrations at +04:00.
In XYL, PCC decreased after the administration of xylazine,
until +03:45, when animals were put into dorsal recumben-
cy. In XYL, PCC were significantly lower compared with CON
at +03:30 (p = 0.03). Compared with +03:00, PCC were sig-
nificantly higher at +03:45 (p ≤ 0.01), +04:00 (p ≤ 0.01), and
+04:30 (p  ≤  0.01) in CON, and significantly lower at +03:15
(p = 0.02) and +03:30 (p  ≤0.01), and significantly higher at
+04:00 (p ≤ 0.01) and +04:30 p ≤ 0.01 in XYL. PSPC did not
differ significantly between or within groups. Glucose levels
were significantly lower in CON compared with XYL at +03:45
(p = 0.03) and +04:30 (p = 0.03). Mean pCO2 was significant-
ly higher in XYL compared with CON at  +03:30 (p  = 0.05).
In XYL, mean pCO2  was significantly higher at +03:15 (p  ≤
0.01), +03:30 (p ≤ 0.01), +03:45 (p ≤ 0.01), and +04:30 (p =
0.01) compared with +03:00. Compared with +03:00, pO2 was
significantly lower at +03:45 (p < 0.01) and +04:00 (p < 0.01)
in CON, and at +03:45 (p< 0.01) and +04:30 (p  = 0.04) in
XYL.  Behavior did not differ  significantly between groups
during and after the surgery. In XYL, animals had significantly

higher number of chews per bolus (p = 0.02) over a period of
24 hours after surgery.
Conclusions: The results of this study show that PCC in-
crease during LA, and that administration of xylazine results
in significantly lower PCC during the course of the surgery,
representing less stress for the animals. Thus, in the opinion of
the authors, xylazine should be given in a low dose prior to LA
to decrease the stress level. The application of xylazine before
LA improves the welfare of cattle during and after a surgery
even if it is thought to be a minor invasive surgery like the LA.
Keywords: Dairy cow, left abomasal displacement, pain,
surgery, stress.
CW-28
First approach to develop an animal welfare assessment
model for extensive suckler beef cattle sector
Marta Elena Alonso De La Varga1, Marina Lozano Marqués1, Jose
Ramiro González Montaña1, Alberto Benito Díaz2, Juan José García
García2, Ángel Javier Alonso Díez1, Juan Manuel Lomillos3.
1
Facultad de Veterinaria. Universidad de León, León, Spain; 2Estación
Tecnológica de la Carne. ITACYL, Guijuelo-Salamanca, Spain;
3
Facultad de Veterinaria. CEU Cardenal Herrera, Alfara del Patriarca –
Valencia, Spain.
Objectives: The increasing change in consumer prefer-
ences about the productive orientation both in animal and veg-
etable systems made it necessary a 180 degree change in the
trends that prevailed until the beginning of the 21st century.
There is an evolution from a system focused on productivity
to a model that considers the one health concept with the en-
vironmental and animal welfare (AW) as important aspects of
the sustainability of animal production.
In this scenario, it is necessary to protect and give addi-
tional value to productive models that meet consumers´ de-
mands in terms of AW with additional environmental benefits.
Our principal objective was to contribute to the sustainability of
the extensive suckler beef cattle sector by developing a model
to characterize AW of this type of farms in northwestern Spain.
Material and Methods: A model of AW characterization
and assessment was developed based on the five freedoms
used at present in the definition of AW of the Word Organiza-
tion for Animal Health (OIE). Each one of them (freedom from
hunger and thirst or adequate nutrition, freedom from discom-
fort or physical and thermal comfort, freedom from pain, injury
or disease or health and absence of pain, freedom to express
normal behavior or appropriate and natural behavior and free-
dom from fear and distress or absence of fear and anguish)
have been evaluated using different parameters, based on the
international bibliography and agreed with farmers. Some of
those parameters were evaluated individually such as body
condition score, ruminal fill score, locomotion scoring, hygiene
scores, but others were considered at group level, the tem-
perature and humidity index (THI) among them. All parame-
ters were considered on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being the
value indicative of a situation of very poor AW and 5 value of
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Cattle Welfare
the best possible situation. Each freedom accounts to a max-
imum of 20 points.
On eighteen farms, 6 from Asturias and León, 6 from Ex-
tremadura and from 6 from Salamanca, with a total number of
suckler cows ranging from 40 to 120 per farm, a representative
number of adult cows in each farm were evaluated based on
the MIL-STD-105D.
Results: Mean values of freedom 1 ranges from 17.6 ±
1.16 on Asturias and León farms to 18.4 ± 0.83 in Extremadura
without significant differences in scores on the freedom 1 or
adequate nutritional assessment. There were significant differ-
ences in freedoms 2, 3 and 4 (F(2,15)= 22.63612 p= 0.000029,
F(2,15)= 49.27239 p= 0.000000, F(2,15)= 25.86748 p= 0.000014,
respectively). Freedom from discomfort (2) significant highest
values were obtained in Salamanca (19.9 ± 0.31) and Ex-
tremadura (19.7 ± 0.19) possible due to the influence of mild
climatological conditions compared with the Cornisa Cantábri-
ca. Similar significant differences were registered in freedom 3
(health state and absence of pain), with lower values in Astur-
ias and León farms (18.8 ± 0.25). In some of these farms adult
cows spend 2 to 3 months in tied stalls during winter period
and this could have a negative influence of parameters such
as lameness score or mastitis incidence. The shorter duration
of suckling period in Extremadura farms (3 months) could be
responsible for the significant mean lower value of freedom 4
(16.3 ± 0.47) compared with León and Asturias (18.3 ± 0.87)
and Salamanca (18.8 ± 0.54) farms.
Taking into account that mean total points were 91.1 ± 2.49
the AW of the studied suckling cows could be consider excel-
lent. The extensive conditions of this production systems could
have a negative influence on the fear from human expressed
as higher approach distance but the moths expended on pas-
ture or the possibility to feed their own calf could positively
influence the suckler cows’ welfare.
Conclusion: The model used in this first approach could
be a useful tool to assess AW in cows keep under extensive
production systems providing valuable information to consum-
ers and this could help farmers to achieve a better market po-
sition for their product contributing thus to its sustainability.
This work was financed by EAFRD funds through the Eu-
ropean Association for Innovation in Agricultural Productivity
and Sustainability (AEI-AGRI), within the framework of the Na-
tional Rural Development Program 2014-2020.
Keywords: Welfare, assessment, suckler, sustainability.
CW-29
Correlation between Welfare Quality® protocol and
workplace satisfaction in Portuguese dairy farms
João Cerqueira1, George Stilwell2, Rui D'Orey Branco1.
1
Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Lusófona de
Humanidades e Tecnologias, Lisbon, Portugal; 22Animal Behaviour
and Welfare Lab, CIISA-Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in
Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon,
Lisbon, Portugal.
143
ORAL — Cattle Welfare

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate protocol for cattle. Welfare Quality® Assessment Protocol
the relationship of animal welfare of ten dairy farms in Portu- for Cattle, 1–142. http://www.welfarequalitynetwork.net/net-
gal with workplace satisfaction. We hypothesized that there work/45848/7/0/40.
are positive correlations among the Welfare Quality® protocol Keywords: Animal welfare, Welfare Quality®, Dairy cow,
(WQ) results, and workplace satisfaction. Job satisfaction, Employee satisfaction index.
Methods and materials: Ten farms were used in this study
and were visited between January and September 2021. Farm
size ranged from 35 to 789 milking cows at the time of the visit.
All animals were kept on an intensive-based free-stall produc-
tion system with several diverse bedding choices and were
milked twice a day, with with the exception of one farm where
cows were milked three times a day. All farms were assessed
for animal welfare using the WQ® protocol. Workplace satis-
faction was accessed using a questionnaire. For each farm, a
questionnaire was delivered to the farm manager and to all of
the working staff. The questionnaire is an adaptation of the one
used by Phillip Durst et al. (2018) in “Evaluation by employees
of employee management on large US dairy farms”. All data
was organized in Microsoft® Excel for Mac version 16.56. The
questionnaire was divided into 4 parts. Part 1 of the question-
naire consisted in a demographic and work conditions charac-
terization with multiple selection, and short answer questions.
Parts 2,3, and 4 were the parts considered in the Employee
Satisfaction Index (ESI) calculation and referred to work en-
vironment, satisfaction, and relationship with manager. Part 2
consisted of a binary response (“Yes”- 5; “No”-1). Parts 3 and
4 answers were obtained using a 5-point Likert scale. In order
to assess workplace satisfaction, ESI was calculated, using
the guidelines proposed by Singh et al., (2014). All negative
answers were aligned to provide a correct answer scale. Both
managers and staff questionnaires were considered in the cal-
culation of ESI. Afterwards, the applied formula was:
Employee Satisfaction Index (%) = (Total score re-
ceived/ Maximum total score possible)×100
Results: From the farms considered in the study, 80% ob-
tained the "Enhanced" level, while farms H and I were classified
as "Acceptable" as the Final Score. No farms were classified
as "Excellent" or "Not Classified". All ESI results are described
in table 3, alongside the percentage of respondents for each
farms. Among the correlations, the strong positive correlation
with the “Comfort around resting” indicator (p= 0.069) and the
“Good Housing” principle (p= 0.069), tended to be significant.
Also, there was a strong negative significative correlation be-
tween ESI and the “Good human-animal relationship” criteria
(p= 0.042). The remaining correlations between the WFQ and
ESI showed no significance (p ≥0.150).
Conclusions: Our results reinforce the need to discuss
further the impact of workplace satisfaction on animal welfare,
specifically regarding the "Good human- animal relationship"
criteria.
References:
Durst, P. T., Moore, S. J., Ritter, C., & Barkema, H. W.
(2018). Evaluation by employees of employee management
on large US dairy farms. Journal of Dairy Science, 101(8),
7450–7462. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2018-14592
Singh, A., Pathak, S., Choudhury, J., Kumar, R., Banerjee,
S., & Nehar, Y. (2014). Review of HRM Volume 3 April 2014
Editorial Advisory Board. 3.
Welfare Quality. (2009). Welfare Quality Assessment

31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID

144

DI-01
Application of texture analysis of b-mode ultrasound images
for the quantification and prediction of intramuscular fat
in living beef cattle: a methodological study
Giorgia Fabbri1, Matteo Gianesella1, Luigi Gallo2, Massimo
Morgante1, Michele Muraro3, Matteo Boso4, Enrico Fiore1.
1
Department of Animal Medicine, Productions and Health (MAPS),
University of Padua, Padova, Italy; 2Department of Agronomy, Food,
Natural Resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University
of Padua, Padova, Italy; 3Veterinary Service of Consorzio Agrario del
NORD-EST, Verona, Italy; 4Veterinary Service of Società Agricola Vio,
Eraclea, Italy.
Objectives: Intramuscular fat (IMF) plays a key role in de-
termination of beef meat quality, because it contributes sig-
nificantly to the aroma and tenderness of the meat. However,
methods to determine fat % in muscle mass rely on visual in-
spection or on fat extraction from meat samples, and therefore
require the animals’ to be slaughtered. IMF determination in
vivo could permit early meat quality estimation, and thus lead
to changes in the animals’ management to influence meat
composition and better meet market requests. The aim of this
methodological study was the elaboration of a formula capable
of IMF% prediction from real-time ultrasound (RTU) images
live beef cattle.
Material and methods: 26 Charolaise heifers were en-
rolled in the study and their longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle
was investigated. Ultrasound images were scanned on the
animals’ right side between the 12th and 13th rib with a porta-
ble ultrasound scanner (MyLabOne™, Esaote S.p.a., Genoa,
Italy) equipped with a multi-frequency convex probe (SC3421,
Esaote S.p.a., Genoa, Italy; 2.5 – 6.6 MHz). All scans had 4.3
MHz frequency, 15 cm depth, and 100% gain. Texture analy-
sis of the collected scans was performed by means of a free
purpose-specific software (MaZda v4.6; Technical University
of Lodz, Institute of Electronics, Poland).
One week after the in vivo examination, the animals were
slaughtered and the whole cut of the 12th rib was collected.
The cut was dissected into muscles, fat and bones. The sam-
ple of LD was analyzed with centesimal extraction: IMF% was
determined by extraction with petrol ether (Randall) method.
Animals were divided in 3 groups depending on their mean
lipid content percentage in 100g meat, and thresholds where
chosen using IMF mean ± ½SD (Group 1 included animals
with IMF below 4.24 g; Group 2 included between 4.25 g and
5.75 g; and, Group 3 included animals with IMF higher than
5.76 g).
Texture parameters were screened with a stepwise linear
discriminant analysis using IMF measured by chemical ex-
traction (IMFqa) as the dependent variable, and the results of
the texture analysis as explanatory variables, to identify the
best combinations of high-quality variables. The aim was a
parsimonious model with as few parameters as possible, to
enhance stability during validation.
The differentiation efficiency of IMFqa was tested by
means of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.
Bland-Altman analysis was performed to validate the method
and to assess the agreement between IMFqa and IMFpred.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Diagnostic Imaging
Results: Each scan generated approximately 300 texture
parameters. Among these, 6 variables were identified as pre-
dictive by the stepwise analysis and were molded into a multi-
ple regression equation.
IMF in the samples was then predicted by means of the
formula (Predicted IMF, or IMFpred), and compared to the
quantified IMF (IMFqa).
Among all samples, the mean IMFqa extracted from
the meat was 5.08 ±1.47 g, while the mean IMFpred was
5.07±1.35 g.
A high linear correlation between IMFqa and IMFpred was
found (r²=0.85) and results from the ROC analysis showed an
Area Under the Curve (AUC) of 92%, with a sensitivity of 80%
and a specificity of 93.7%, while results from the Bland-Altman
plot were ± 1.96 (±1.11SD).
Conclusions: In the present study, IMF% from beef cattle
LD muscle was estimated successfully and with high accura-
cy, using RTU, one week prior slaughter.
Application of this technology on wide-scale breeding
could lead to important economic impacts. A good accuracy
in IMF% prediction could permit screening of the animals that
are going to be slaughtered, and see whether their fattening
is optimal for the market requirements, maximizing the profits.
This technology could also permit monitoring of fattening
cycles, leading to rapid estimation in vivo of adequacy of the
diets fed to the animals. Lastly, it could be used for genetic se-
lection, bypassing lengthy genetic progeny testing and there-
fore saving large amounts of time.
Further studies to validate the method both on a wider
sample and on different sex and breeds are encouraged, but
such technology could be a powerful heard selection tool as
well as assist farmers in fattening practices.
Ethical Standards: All animals were slaughtered accord-
ing to EU regulations (Council Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009
of 24 September 2009 on the protection of animals at the time
of killing).
Keywords: Beef Cattle, Fat Prediction, Intramuscular Fat,
Texture Analysis, Ultrasonography.
DI-02
Practical use of thoracic ultrasonography at feedlot arrival
to identify high-risk BRD batches in suckler calves
Carolina Tejero1, Laura Elvira1, Javier Lillo1, Lorenzo Fraile2.
1
MSD Animal Health, Salamanca, Spain; 2University of Lleida, Lleida,
Spain.
Objectives: Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) is the
most important disease in veal industry. The assessment of
lung health of suckler calves’ batches at their arrival to the
rearing facilities is key for decision making and implementa-
tion of prevention and metaphylactic protocols for BRD con-
trol. However, classification and identification of high-risk BRD
batches (30% prevalence) continues to be a major challenge.
BRD diagnosis based on clinical signs is inaccurate (61.8%
145
ORAL — Diagnostic Imaging
sensitivity and 62.8% specificity; White, 2009).
The use of thoracic ultrasound (US) scanning to evalu-
ate lung health has demonstrated to be a high sensitivity and
specificity tool (79,4% and 93,9%, respectively; Buczinski,
2015). A previous study in 811 veal calves using this technique
at arrival (Tejero et al., 2019) showed an average of 21% mod-
erate and 10% severe lung lesions. However, large variability
was found among batches (P <0.05).
In high-risk BRD batches, metaphylactic treatment has the
potential to reduce the number of animals infected with a sus-
ceptible bacterial pathogen, clinical or subclinical, reducing the
disease challenge in the environment for non-infected animals
and limiting disease spread (Nickel, 2010). Thoracic US scan-
ning has the potential to identify high-risk BRD batches where
metaphylactic treatment is justified. However, under field con-
ditions, thoracic US scanning is time consuming. The main ob-
jective of this study was to evaluate if the selection of a repre-
sentative sample of animals for thoracic US scanning provides
a reasonable accuracy to identify high-risk BRD batches.
Materials and methods: The number of calves to be
sampled per batch was calculated using free epidemiological
software (https://epitools.ausvet.com.au). An estimated prev-
alence of 30% (high-risk BRD) using a confidence level of
95% and an accepted error of 10% for calves with lung lesions
equal or higher than 3, using Adams and Buzsinski (2015)
scoring system, was used.
To check the practical use of the sampling table created, a
simulation of this sampling procedure was done in 12 batches
where thoracic US was assessed in 100% of the animals. A
randomization procedure (Excel, Microsoft Office) was used
to select the different sampling groups, performing 10 random
samples of each batch in order to measure the degree of suc-
cess to predict whether the batch was a high-BRD risk one.
Results: The percentage of calves sampled ranged from
21% to 62% for a 300 or 50 suckler calves’ batch respectively.
Our Database of 12 batches, where thoracic US was per-
formed in a 100% of calves at arrival, was used for random
selection of calves. Real batches included 12 to 51% of calves
affected with score higher than 3 (moderate and severe cas-
es). Most of the batches were high (>30% of calves with lung
lesions = 42%) or medium (20-30% of calves with lung lesions
= 50%) and only one (8%) was a low risk batch (<20% of lung
lesions). Randomized selection of a percentage of calves fol-
lowing the sampling table was performed 10 times. The av-
erage results for these 10 randomizations were very similar
to the real ones, and the estimated sensitivity was 96% for
batches with at least a 30 % of prevalence of disease.
Conclusions: Thoracic US scanning of a randomized
percentage of calves at arrival may be a useful technique to
identify high-risk BRD batches where metaphylactic treatment
is justified. This technique can be a practical tool for a more
rational use of antibiotics in the veal industry.
Keywords: Feedlot, BRD, ultrasound, thoracic, calves.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
146
DI-03
Applications of infrared thermography as a non-invasive
technique early indicator of fever in the lambs
José Luis Blasco Castello1, Jorge Gutierrez Gonzalez2, Ángel Ruiz-
Mantecon3, Almudena Sanchez Gomez4, Mercedes Arroyo Porriño4,
Silvia Aviles Diadosa4, A Faundez Vara4, Maria Elena Alonso De La
Varga5, Jose Manuel Lomillos Perez5.
1
Technical Specialist Feedlots, Zaragoza, Spain; 2Technical Specialist
Small Ruminants, Palencia, Spain; 3Ganadería de Montaña Center
(CSIC) de León, Finca Marzanas, Ctra. León-Grulleros, 24346
Grulleros (León), Spain; 4COVAP, C/ Mayor 56, 14400 Pozoblanco
(Córdoba), Spain; 5Animal Production Dpt, Veterinary Faculty, León
University, Campus de Vegazana, 24071 León, Spain.
Objetives: Ovine Respiratory Complex (ORC) is one of
the main causes of morbidity and mortality in sheep feedlots
with high prevalence and economic repercussions (González,
2018). Early ORC diagnosis is essential to minimize the ef-
fects of the disease, related with both the productive results
and welfare of the animals.
Body temperature is an objective clinical data, although
its increase is not always associated with disease, as can be
also a response to the high environmental temperature or ex-
ercise. However, when it is associated with other more spe-
cific clinical signs, it is very useful for early diagnosis. Indeed,
studies monitoring temperature using ruminal boluses in cat-
tle, demonstrate how the thermal increase occurs 12-136 h
before the caregiver detected other more specific clinical signs
of pneumonia (Timsit et al., 2011).
On the other hand, thermography is a technology with
increasing use in different fields of the veterinary medicine.
Thermographic cameras detect infrared radiation emitted by
the surface of that body, converting it into an electrical sig-
nal that is transformed into a color image. Indeed, Schaefer
y col. (2007) already demonstrate it is useful to identify early
disease in cattle. However, environmental temperature at the
time of thermal image can affect rectal temperature (Church
et al., 2014).
Then, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of
an infrared thermographic camera taking into account environ-
ment temperature for the detection of animals with hyperther-
mia in an intensive lamb herd.
Material and methods: This study was carried out in a
lamb fattening farm located in Córdoba (Spain). Infrared tem-
peratures were measured in a total of 2,842 multiple source
commingled Merino lambs and its crosses, 60 to 120 days old,
and 18 to 30 Kg live body weight. Following previous Schaefer
et al. (2007 and 2012) studies in cattle, we performed an or-
bital eye measurement, as in other anatomical parts the pres-
ence of hair or wool can interfere with results.
The measurements were made after the passage of the
lambs through the handling or sorting sleeve and in the laz-
arette measuring in duplicate both rectal temperature with a
conventional thermometer and eye thermal image with an in-
frared thermometer.
For infrared thermography the camera Testo model 870
was used, with a resolution of 160 x 120 pixels (with the pos-
sibility of increasing to 320 x 240 pixels), thermal sensitivity

<100 mK, 34º lens with fixed focus and integrated and cal-
ibrated digital camera. The image processing software was
the IRSoft Software, version 4.5. While the thermometer used
was the Kruuse clinical thermometer, model Veterinär-ther-
mometer SC 12, also calibrated, with automatic stop system
by sound signal and with a measurement accuracy of 0.1ºC.
At measurement time, the following data were additionally
recorded: date and time, farm identification, barn, pen, etc. In
addition, the inside and outside barn temperature was noted.
Subsequently, we calculate a new parameter: the difference
between rectal and ocular temperature (DROT).
The data were analyzed using Anova one-way for the com-
parison of means, as well as the correlation between the vari-
ables and the multiple linear regression using the statistical
program IBM SPSS Statistics, version 25.
Results and discussion: We evaluate the effect of barn
temperature on the ocular and rectal temperature. On the oth-
er hand, we evaluate its effect on different rectal temperature
strata.
The correlations between the different variables were sig-
nificant. Indeed, the combined use of variables, eye tempera-
ture and barn temperature, allowed us to establish a formula
predicting the rectal temperature with an excellent correlation
(R2 = 0.9996).
Rectal tª = 1.099 * ocular tª - 0.038 * tª nav
Conclusions: The rectal temperature of lambs under in-
tensive conditions is an objective clinical parameter very use-
ful for ORC early diagnosis. Infrared thermography is a fast,
automatic and non-invasive technique helpful for early identi-
fication of sick animals. And considering the barn temperature
at lecture time improves its correlation with rectal temperature.
Keywords: Fever, thermography, lambs, environmental
Tª, ORC.
DI-04
Comparison between thoracic ultrasonography and visual
observation for the detection of BRD in veal calves
Carolina Tejero1, Javier Lillo1, Eudald Arnau2, Laura Elvira1.
1
MSD Animal Health, Spain, Salamanca, Spain; 2Practitioner Specialist
in Feedlots, 2 Feedlot practitioner, Spain.
Objectives: High levels of mortality and morbidity due to
bovine respiratory disease (BRD) in combination with animal
welfare, reduction of antimicrobial use, and antimicrobial resis-
tance are currently the most important challenges in the beef
industry.
The detection of BRD in farms is based on respiratory clin-
ical signs (cough, dyspnea, ear position, nasal discharge) and
increased body temperature. However, the use of clinical signs
to detect lung lesions associated with BRD has some limita-
tions (Leruste et al., 2012; Sensitivity (Se) 61.8% and specific-
ity (Sp) 62.8%; White, 2009). Recently, new tools have been
developed to achieve a more accurate early diagnosis. Among
them, Thoracic Ultrasonography (TUS) shows the highest ac-
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Diagnostic Imaging
curacy to detect pneumonia at farm level (Se 79.4% and Sp
93.9%; Buczinski, 2015; Se 89% and Sp 95%; Berman, 2019).
The objective of this study was to compare Thoracic US
with BRD clinical diagnosis performed by two senior veterinar-
ians both at arrival to the rearing facilities and later along the
first month on fattening.
Materials and methods: Two different batches of a com-
mercial veal feedlot with 62 and 45 male calves were evalu-
ated. The day of arrival, two experienced veterinarians (ob-
server 1;O1 and 2;O2) classified the 107 calves as “BRD” or
“Healthy” based on their clinical signs. Then, an experienced
veterinarian performed thoracic US scanning (TUS) and clas-
sified the calves as having or not having lung lesions using a
scoring system (Adams and Buczinski, 2015). The three veter-
inarians performed their scoring in a blind manner. All animals
were scored again by the three veterinarians 7 and 21 days
after their arrival. The different scoring results were record-
ed to evaluate BRD prevalence and agreement between the
three scoring results. The TUS score was considered as the
gold standard technique.
The comparison between the use of the diagnostic tech-
niques (Se, Sp, positive predictive value – PPV- and negative
predictive value-NPV-) and observers (concordance kappa in-
dex) was performed with free epidemiological software (https://
http://www.winepi.net) using a confidence level of 95%.
Results: The prevalence of lung lesions detected by TUS
at arrival was 35% for batch1 and 36% for batch2 respective-
ly. Using clinical scoring, the prevalence of BRD was different
between the O1 and O2 for batch1 (O1: 45%; O2: 29%) and
batch2 (O1: 47%, O2: 38%). In the first review performed 7
days after arrival, BRD diagnosed by TUS increased to 75%
and 62%, respectively for batch1 and 2. BRD prevalence di-
agnosed by the observers was also different in batch 1 (O1:
65%; O2: 72%) and in batch 2 (O1: 53%, O2: 47%). In the
examination performed 21 days after arrival, BRD prevalence
diagnosed by TUS was 67% and 49%, respectively for batch1
and 2. BRD prevalence diagnosed by the observers was (O1:
60%; O2: 52%) in batch1 and (O1: 20%, O2: 27%) in batch2.
Although the average Se and NPV were quite similar for
both observers (Se 63.8% and 64.9% and NPV 60.1% and
65.3%, for O1 and 2 respectively), the Sp and PPV was higher
for O2 (Sp 66.0% and 79.9% and PPV 69.4 and 79.65, for O1
and 2, respectively).
Finally, the concordance among both observers was mod-
erated (kappa = 0.598, IC95% 0.29-0.71). Indeed, one of the
observers consistently presented a better detection of BRD
signs than the other. However, even for this observer, 28%
of BRD cases detected by thoracic US were not identified as
BRD using clinical diagnosis.
Conclusions: The present study suggests that Thoracic
Ultrasonography can be used as an on-farm technique for
BRD diagnosis. However, clinical diagnosis by experienced
observers may be good enough to be used as a screening
technique to identify BRD calves. The results also suggest
that, with training, observers may improve their Sensitivity and
Specificity for a better detection of treatment of BRD calves.
Keywords: Ultrasonography, feedlot, BRD, diagnosis,
clinical signs.
147
ORAL — Diagnostic Imaging
DI-05
Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) to evaluate peak
inspiratory and expiratory flow levels and distribution of
ventilation in steers
Olivia Brabant1, Andreas Waldmann2, Andy Adler3, Anthea Raisis1,
Ulrike Auer4, Martina Mosing1.
1
College of Veterinary Medicine, Murdoch University, Perth, Australia;
2
Department of Pneumology and Critical Care Medicine, Witten/
Herdecke University Hospital,, Cologne, Germany; 3Department of
Systems and Computer Engineering, Carlton University, Ottawa,
Canada; 4Veterinary University Vienna,, Vienna, Austria.
Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is a novel non-in-
vasive imaging technique that allows a visual representation of
the distribution of ventilation in real-time. The aim of this study
was to determine if changes in lung status can be detected by
changes in EIT variables in anaesthetised steers.
In this randomised cross-over study, seven anaesthetised
spontaneously breathing steers lungs were exposed to at-
mospheric airway pressure (NoPres), or continuous positive
airway pressure of 7 cmH2O (PosPres). Steers were posi-
tioned in dorsal recumbency. EIT electrodes mounted on a
belt were placed around the thorax to measure impedance
changes. Post induction, EIT recordings were performed at
30, 50, 70 and 90 minutes respectively. From each recording
ten breaths were retrospectively analysed and pooled for the
pixel with maximal inspiratory (FlowPixinsp) and expiratory flow
(FlowPixexp) within the EIT image and the centre of ventilation,
illustrating shift of ventilation distribution along the gravitation-
al axis, between right and left lung (CoVr-l) and ventral to dorsal
lung (CoVv-d). Descriptive statistics were used to describe the
difference between NoPres and PosPres and are reported as
mean (95% confidence interval).
Lower FlowPixinsp and FlowPixexp were measured during
PosPres compared to NoPres; FlowPixinsp [311 (282-340) vs
352 (315-388)] and FlowPixexp [268 (249-287) vs 313 (282-
343)], respectively. The CoVr-l was lower [54 % (53-55)] in Po-
sPres than in NoPres [61 % (58-63)] while only a small differ-
ence of 3 % was seen for CoVv-d.
EIT can be used to detect differences in lung status by flow
and CoV measurements in anaesthetised cattle.
Ethical Animal Research: This study was appoved by Mur-
doch University ethics committee R2998/17
Keywords: Electrical impedance tomography, Ventilation,
Cattle.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
148
DI-06
Preliminary analysis in the flank temperature pattern in
dairy cows during pregnancy
Michal Trela1, Malgorzata Masko2, Malgorzata Domino1,
Dominika Domanska1, Tomasz Jasinski1, Bartosz Pawlinski1,
Zdzislaw Gajewski1.
1
Department of Large Animal Diseases and Clinic, Institite of
Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences WULS –
SGGW, Warsaw, Poland; 2Department of Animal Breeding, Institite of
Animal Science, Warsaw University of Life Sciences WULS – SGGW,
Warsaw, Poland.
Objectives: Recent years have seen a significant in-
crease in interest in the use of thermal imaging in veterinary
diagnostics, especially in a health herd management of live-
stock animals. Owing to the possibility of fast, non-invasive
and automated temperature measurement on the surface of a
cows' body, this technique shows great potential in predicting
local changes in the tissue metabolism and local blood circu-
lation. The abdominal area demonstrated physiological chang-
es during late-gestation related to the increased demand for
the growing uterus and more loaded abdominal wall muscles.
However, there is still a need for further research to standard-
ize measurement data in thermal imaging. Therefore, the aim
of the study was evaluated if the changes in physiological ac-
tivity during late pregnancy may result in abnormal thermal
patterns of the flank of dairy cows.
Materials and methods: Thermographic images of the
right flank were obtained from 54 Holstein-Friesian dairy cows
from a commercial 550 head dairy farm. All cows were housed
under the same environmental conditions. The pregnancy was
confirmed with ultrasound examination on day 32 after insem-
ination and one the day of imaging in 30 cows. Based on ul-
trasound, the cows were divided into the following groups: NP
- nonpregnant (n=24); EP - early pregnancy (1st to 3th months;
n=6), MP - mid pregnancy (4th to 6th months; n=6) and LP - late
pregnancy (7th to 9th months; n=24: 7th Mo, n=6; 8th Mo, n=6, 9th
Mo, n=6). Images were taken indoor, with ambient tempera-
ture ranging from 14.0 to 16.0oC, using infrared radiation cam-
era (emissivity 0.99; FLIR Therma CAM E60). Temperature
pattern of the flank area was evaluated using five regions of
interest (ROI 1–5) representing: the area along the transverse
processes of the spine (ROI 1), the cranial area of the right ab-
dominal surface (ROI 2), the cranial area of the right abdom-
inal surface (ROI 2), the middle area of the right abdominal
surface (ROI 3), the caudal area of the right abdominal surface
(ROI 4), and the stifle area (ROI 5). Each ROI was analyzed
for the minimal (Tmin), maximal (Tmax), and mean (Tmean) tem-
peratures. The results (mean±SD) were compared between
NP, EP, MP, 7th Mo LP, 8th Mo LP, and 9th Mo LP groups.
Results: The Tmin was higher (p<0.0001) in all five ROIs in
LP (19.67oC ±1.11) than in NP (13.55oC ±3.34), EP (14.92oC
±1.69), and MP (14.88oC ±1.64). There were no differences
(p>0.05) in Tmin between NP, EP and MP as well as between
7th Mo (18.85oC ±1.40), 8th Mo (19.14oC ±1.50), and 9th Mo
(19.68oC ±1.41) of within LP group. The Tmax was compara-
ble in all five ROIs, with no differences (p>0.05) between NP
(26.51oC ±2.24), EP (27.39oC ±2.57), MP (24.22oC ±3.16), and
LP (25.53oC ±2.29) groups, regardless of the month of preg-

nancy. The Tmean was higher (p<0.01) in ROI 1 and 5 in LP
(ROI 1: 22.35oC ±0.95; ROI 5: 24.78oC ±1.09) than in NP (ROI
1: 17.54oC ±4.42; ROI 5: 19.27oC ±4.09), EP (ROI 1: 18.96oC
±1.75; ROI 5: 19.88oC ±1.87), and MP (ROI 1: 19.71oC ±0.08;
ROI 5: 19.97oC ±1.28), with no similar differences (p>0.05) in
ROI 2, ROI 3, and ROI 4.
Conclusions: Thermography is proposed as a promising
tool in determining changes in the flank temperature pattern
in dairy cows during pregnancy. An application of different re-
gions of interest during the superficial temperature analysis al-
lows to established the discreet changes in the mean tempera-
tures during late pregnancy. The minimal temperature seems
to be the most reliable indicator of the superficial temperature
changes related to the months of pregnancy. After examining
more numerous groups of cows, the external temperature of
the flank may be a useful method for the presumption of preg-
nancy in late gestation.
Keywords: Thermography, cow, pregnancy diagnosis.
DI-07
Associations between TUS scores and mortality and
productivity outcomes on Scottish dairy farms
Katharine Baxter-Smith1, Jimmy More2, Robert Hyde3.
1
MSD Animal Health, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom; 2The Ben,
Kirkcudbright, United Kingdom; 3School of Veterinary Medicine and
Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, United Kingdom.
Objectives: A previously published study (1) used thorac-
ic ultrasound (TUS) to assess farmer accuracy of diagnosing
Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) in cattle youngstock. We
found that sensitivity of farmer diagnosis of BRD was low;
demonstrating that animals with lung lesions were not being
identified and treated for BRD. We also found that some farm-
ers treated animals which did not have signs of BRD on TUS,
suggesting unnecessary use of antimicrobials. This study
aimed to follow the same calves assessed in our previous
work, to determine the effects of lung consolidation, as diag-
nosed by TUS, on future mortality and reproductive outcomes.
Materials & Methods: TUS examinations were conduct-
ed between 2019-03-13 and 2019-11-26, by a single veteri-
narian over 7 dairy herds. All calves on the farm between 21
and 61 days of age during these time points were scanned
and scored. This included male and female calves destined
for dairy or beef rearing, which ensured a larger dataset. On
scoring, they were given a TUS score on a 0-6 scale (2) as
well as a calf health score based on the Wisconsin calf health
scoring system which was converted to a binary “normal” or
“abnormal” TUS score. Further descriptions and results of this
part of the study have been published previously (1).
For the current study, all calves which had a TUS exam-
ination were included in the dataset for analysis of mortality.
Female dairy calves retained on the study farms were followed
through to calving, for analysis of reproductive outcomes using
the farms’ management system and data collection software.
Mixed effects logistic regression models were used to analyse
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Diagnostic Imaging
associations between TUS score and mortality status, con-
ception within 3 serves, time to conception and the number of
serves to conception. Data was only collected for animals that
were retained on the farm for the purpose of entering the adult
milking herd. This meant a proportion of animals were lost to
follow-up as they were sold for beef to other farms not included
in the study.
Results: The initial dataset consisted of 347 ultrasono-
graphic examinations. Of these, 53 calves (15.3%) were
classified as abnormal and 294 (84.7%) as normal. Of the 53
calves classified as abnormal, only 13 (24.5%) were treated by
the farmer, however, of the 294 classified as normal, 22 (7.5%)
were treated. Of the 347 animals, 18 animals died during the
follow up period of weaning to conception (5.2%), and mixed
effects regression model results suggested that there was a
tendency for animals with an abnormal TUS score as calves
to be more likely to die during this time (OR 2.33, 95% CI 0.9-
6.1, P = 0.08).
Data for pregnancy status within 3 serves were available
for 149 animals, with 16/22 (72.7%) of animals with abnormal
TUS status becoming pregnant and 114/127 (89.8%) of ani-
mals with normal TUS status becoming pregnant. Mixed ef-
fects regression model results suggested that abnormal TUS
score was associated with lower odds of becoming pregnant
within 3 serves (OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.1-1.0, P=0.06). No associ-
ations were found between TUS score and time to conception
or the number of serves to conception.
Conclusion: Follow up analysis of dairy cattle which had
undergone TUS between 21-61 days of age suggest a ten-
dency for increased mortality in animals with higher abnormal
TUS scores, and a tendency for decreased pregnancy rates
within the first 3 serves. This reflects similar work undertaken
in other countries (3,4). To the author’s knowledge, this is the
first study in the United Kingdom to ascertain the prevalence
of subclinical BRD in pre-weaned dairy calves, and to follow
these calves to adulthood to further investigate the effects of
BRD on future performance.
Alongside the immediate health, welfare, and productivi-
ty impacts of clinical and subclinical respiratory disease, it is
likely that subclinical BRD during the preweaning period is as-
sociated with future reproductive and mortality outcomes. The
prevention of pneumonia in calves has the potential to improve
health and production outcomes. For future work, we will fol-
low these animals to the end of their first lactation to gather
data on 305-day lactation yields to analyse for associations
with calfhood pneumonia.
Keywords: Thoracic ultrasound, calf, bovine respiratory
disease.
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ORAL — Diagnostic Imaging
DI-08
Dynamics of subclinical pneumonia in male dairy calves in
relation to antimicrobial therapy and production outcomes
Stan Jourquin1, Thomas Lowie1, Florian Debruyne1, Laurens
Chantillon1, Nick Vereecke1, Randy Boone2, Bart Pardon1.
1
Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium; 2
Dierenkliniek Venhei,
Kasterlee, Belgium.
Objectives: Quick thoracic ultrasonography (qTUS) is in-
creasingly used as an on-farm method to diagnose clinical and
subclinical pneumonia in dairy calves. The primary objective of
this study was to describe dynamics of lung consolidation in a
purchase dependent production system for male dairy calves
(veal) in relation to antimicrobial therapy and respiratory diag-
nostic tests. In addition, the association of cured and uncured
pneumonia with average daily growth (ADG) and cold carcass
weight (CCW) were studied, as well as the effects of arriving
with lung consolidation on the probability of developing chronic
unresponsive pneumonia and reduced performance.
Materials and methods: A prospective cohort study was
conducted involving 295 male Holstein Friesian calves, aged
14-21 days during one production cycle in a commercial veal
farm. Both clinical examination and qTUS were performed on
all animals upon arrival, at week 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 and 12. Pneumo-
nia was defined as the presence of a lung consolidations ≥1
cm. Pathogen detection was done using cultures, Matrix-As-
sisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spec-
trometry (MALDI-TOF MS) (Brüker Daltonik GmbH, Bremen,
Germany) and whole genome nanopore sequencing (WGS)
on non-endoscopic bronchoalveolar lavage samples (nBAL).
Results: Of the calves, 17.6% (52/295) arrived with a lung
consolidation ≥1 cm. At the first outbreak of respiratory disease
this number had risen to 30.8%. Initial therapy with tulathromy-
cin and subsequently doxycycline appeared ineffective, result-
ing in a rise in the prevalence of animals with pneumonia up
to 43.8% in week 4. At the start of the first outbreak in week
2, the vast majority (91,2%) of the pneumonia cases (n = 91)
were subclinical. At week 4 the outbreak became more clinical
and therapy with amoxicillin resulted in a cure rate of 52.7%.
Bacterial cultures and nanosequencing diagnostics on nBAL
samples identified bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV)
and Mycoplasma bovis as the dominant agents in the first out-
break. The isolated M. bovis strain had mutations encoding for
macrolide resistance. The second outbreak was characterized
by a Pasteurella multocida superinfection and isolation of a
different M. bovis strain. Evaluated over the complete obser-
vation period, 53.9% of the calves cured upon antimicrobial
therapy. Of the 46.1% calves that were not cured (n = 111),
29.7% (33/111) had developed chronic pneumonia. Calves
with uncured or chronic pneumonia had a significantly lower
ADG (992g/day ± 174 and 930g/day ±146, respectively) com-
pared to calves that did not developed pneumonia (ADG =
1103 g/day ±156; P < 0.001). In contrast, calves that did fully
cure had a similar ADG as calves that never developed pneu-
monia (1045 g/day ±139 and 1103 g/day ±156, respectively; P
= 0.09). The effect of uncured pneumonia was no longer sig-
nificant for cold carcass weight. Calves with lung consolidation
upon arrival had a significantly lower ADG (981 g/day ±159 vs
1045 g/day ±159; P = 0.01) and were more likely to develop
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
150
chronic pneumonia (OR=4.2; 95% CI: 2.1 – 8.6, P < 0.001).
Animals with chronic pneumonia, in turn, had a significantly
lower cold carcass weight (10.3kg ± 4.4; CI: 1.2 – 18.9; P =
0.02).
Conclusion: The prevalence of pneumonia in veal calf
facilities proves to be much higher than previously expected,
mainly because of its subclinical nature. Animals with pneumo-
nia have a reduced daily growth but appear to be able to catch
up to healthy animals when cure is achieved before the age
of 12 months. Chronic unresponsive pneumonia is frequently
encountered and the main reason for production loss. Calves
that already had lung consolidation upon arrival on the veal
facility had a higher risk of developing chronic unresponsive
pneumonia. Both qTUS and nBAL diagnostics offer potential
for better control and prevention of bovine respiratory disease
in dairy calves.
Keywords: Bovine respiratory disease, subclinical pneu-
monia, Mycoplasma bovis, bovine respiratory syncytial virus,
economics.
DI-09
Use of quick thoracic ultrasonography (qTUS) to guide and
evaluate antimicrobial therapy in three natural outbreaks
of Mycoplasma bovis pneumonia
Stan Jourquin, Laurens Chantillon, Thomas Lowie, Jade Bokma, Bart
Pardon.
Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Objectives: Quick thoracic ultrasonography (qTUS) is an
accessible on-farm method to reliable diagnose (subclinical)
pneumonia in both dairy and beef calves, offering great po-
tential for more rational antimicrobial use and better control
of bovine respiratory disease. The objective of this study was
to describe the application of qTUS to guide and evaluate an-
timicrobial therapy in three natural outbreaks of Mycoplasma
bovis associated pneumonia in a single beef farm.
Materials and methods: A retrospective analysis was per-
formed on ultrasonographical and diagnostic data collected
from 3 different outbreaks of respiratory disease in the same
closed commercial beef farm housing 1000 Belgian Blue beef
cows. Calves at risk aged between 2 and 6 months and were
housed in groups of 6 in fully separated pens. Pneumonia was
defined as a lung consolidation ≥1cm while cure was defined
by reaeration of these lesions to <1cm in depth. In each out-
break, qTUS was used as a tool to initiate, stop or generally
evaluate antimicrobial therapy. In outbreak 1, ultrasound-guid-
ed full metaphylaxis was used, meaning that all animals at risk
(n = 130) were metaphylactically treated (one injection), after
which antimicrobial therapy was only prolonged in animals
which still had lung consolidation. Antimicrobial treatment was
stopped as soon as ultrasonographical reaeration of the lung
occurred. Outbreak 2 (n = 94) was approached by individu-
al treatment of animals with ultrasonographically confirmed
pneumonia, without metaphylaxis. Finally, in the third out-
break (n = 61), an ultrasound-guided targeted metaphylaxis,

only using group treatments in pens were 3 or more animals
had consolidations ≥1cm, was applied. Again, as was done
in outbreak 1, antimicrobial treatment was discontinued when
reaeration appeared. In each outbreak, animals older than 3
months were treated with florfenicol while animals less than
3 months were treated with oxytetracycline, both adminis-
tered as long acting formulation every 48 hours. Identification
of primary pathogens was done by means of whole genome
nanopore sequencing (WGS) on non-endoscopic bronchoal-
veolar lavage samples (nBAL). Strain typing of M. bovis and
detection of possible genomic antimicrobial resistance was
done by long-read nanopore sequencing.
Results: At the time of intervention 43.3% (55/130), 50%
(47/94) and 37.7% (23/61) of the calves from outbreaks 1, 2
and 3 had a lung consolidation ≥1cm, respectively. In the first
outbreak, where full metaphylaxis was applied, cure rate after
14 days was 98.2% (54/55). no new cases of pneumonia were
detected, resulting in a total proportion of healthy calves of
99.2% (129/130) after the outbreak. In outbreak 2, over the 21-
day follow up period 24 new cases of pneumonia were detect-
ed, resulting in a total of 75.5% (71/94) pneumonia within the
herd. Cure rates were 61.7% (29/47) and 79.2% (19/24) for
the initial and new pneumonia cases, respectively (total cure=
67.6 % (48/71). Finally, in outbreak 3, incidence of pneumonia
started at 37.7% (23/61). After a 14 day follow up, the combi-
nation of targeted metaphylaxis and individual treatment re-
sulted in a total cure rate of 78.9% (30/38). Of the initial cases,
78.2% (18/23) was cured. 15 new cases were detected in this
outbreak, of which 80% (12/15) was cured at the end of obser-
vation. Cure rate was significantly lower in outbreaks 2 and 3,
compared to 1 (P<0.01). In outbreak 1, 2 and 3, M. bovis was
detected by WGS and strains were classified as belonging to
Belgian M. bovis genomic clusters IV, I and I, respectively. In
the third outbreak the coronavirus was also detected. Evaluat-
ed over the outbreak, in outbreaks 1, 2 and 3, a number of an-
imal daily dosages (ADD) per animal of 3.0, 8.0 and 5.3 ADD/
animal were necessary to control the outbreak, respectively.
For comparison a standard metaphylaxis with tulathromycin
stands for 7 ADDs/animal.
Conclusion: The qTUS technique showed potential as a
reliable and practically feasible method both for detection of
pneumonia and therapy evaluation in larger herds. Large dif-
ferences in cure rate between the outbreaks were observed
which may be related to co-infection, timing of the initiation of
antimicrobial therapy, strain difference or the use of metaphy-
laxis. Especially the latter is a point of interest given that both
ultrasound-guided metaphylaxis (full or targeted) resulted in
lower antimicrobial use compared to individual treatment.
Keywords: Bovine respiratory disease, Mycoplasma bo-
vis, lung ultrasound, antimicriobial reduction.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Diagnostic Imaging
DI-10
Lessons learned from 1 year of quick thoracic
ultrasonography (qTUS) training for practitioners to
improve pneumonia diagnosis in calves
Bart Pardon, Stan Jourquin, Thomas Lowie, Florian Debruyne,
Laurens Chantillon, Mathilde L. Pas, Wouter Van Mol, Justine
Clinquart, Jade Bokma.
Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population
Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Objectives: Thoracic ultrasonography (TUS) has become
the key on-farm tool for bovine respiratory disease manage-
ment (BRD), in particular to rationalize antimicrobial use. De-
spite growing interest to implement TUS on farm, many prac-
titioners hesitate. Uncertainty about image recognition and
scanning technique, as well as concerns on time investment
are the main reasons given. Quick thoracic ultrasonography
(qTUS) stands for a standardized lung scanning technique
making TUS of a large number of calves in limited time pos-
sible. The objective of this study was to describe diagnostic
performance of novice operators after a qTUS training course.
Materials & Methods: All Flemish veterinarians were con-
tacted to volunteer for a project aiming at bringing qTUS to
practice as a diagnostic aid in BRD management. Participants
needed to complete an online course consisting of 4 modules
(Module 1: positioning of TUS among other methods for pneu-
monia diagnosis; Module 2: ultrasound image recognition in-
cluding common pitfalls; Module 3: qTUS scanning technique
and Module 4: qTUS applications in practice). The training in-
cluded 4 series of exercises with feedback, two on recognition
of images, and 2 on recognition of full qTUS scan image loops.
In addition, practical training sessions with experienced qTUS
operators were organized at the discretion of the participant
to decide how many to follow. Candidates were encouraged
to scan in their own practice as well. Monthly online contact
moments were organized between the trainers and trainees.
To finalize the exam a practical test was organized. Three test
occasions (sessions) were organized. Each participant need-
ed to scan 23 (session 1 and 2) or 18 (session 3) calves and
communicated to a recorder whether a lung consolidation of
≥ 1 cm was present. Performing other aspects of clinical ex-
amination was not allowed. Session 1 and 2 were done in a
commercial veal calf farm with animals aged 8 (group housing)
and 6 weeks (individual housing), respectively. Session 3 was
done in a dairy farm on calves aged between 2 weeks to 4
months (individually housed until week 5). Total scanning time
and information on intensity of online learning and self-train-
ing was collected. Diagnostic accuracy of the participants was
compared with an experienced TUS operator.
Results: In February 2021, 45 veterinarians started with
the online training, of which 34 had taken the certification test
by January 2022. The prevalence of calves with lung consoli-
dations ≥ 1 cm ranged between 39.1% and 75.0% depending
on which calves the participants scanned. Overall diagnostic
accuracy (Acc) was 72.3% (standard deviation (SD)= 10.8%;
range (R)= 52.2%-95.7%), mean sensitivity (Se) was 64.4%
(SD= 26.6; R= 0-100) and mean specificity (Sp) was 70.6%
(SD= 17.7; R= 25-100). Average Se (45.0%) was significant-
ly lower in session 3 compared to session 1 (74.4%) and 2
151
ORAL — Diagnostic Imaging

(73.0%) (P<0.05). In contrast, average Sp (60.6%) was sig-

nificantly lower in session 2, compared to session 1 (80.5%)
and 3 (78.9%) (P <0.05. Participants that followed more than
one practical training session had on average a 21% higher
Se compared to persons attending a single training (P< 0.05).
Also the number of calves scanned in the own practice before
the test trended towards a higher Se (P= 0.08). Gender, years
graduated, hours invested in the online course and speed of
scanning did not affect Se. Sp was not influenced by any of
the factors mentioned above. The required scanning time per
calf (including capture and fixation of the animal) was 4.7 min.
(SD= 1.1; R= 1.7-6.5 min.) on average. After the course 60%
of the candidates declared to feel skilled enough to use qTUS
in practice, but this was not significantly associated with diag-
nostic performance.
Conclusions: With the qTUS training program (online +
live trainings) in most novice operators a reasonable Se and
Sp could be reached. However, variation in Se and Sp is sub-
stantial and may be influenced by age of animals and housing/
scanning conditions. Increasing the number of practical train-
ing sessions significantly improved Se. Adequate training and
continued self-assessment are necessary to sustainably inte-
grate qTUS in the highly variable conditions in daily practice.
Keywords: Thoracic ultasonography; bovine respiratory
disease; diagnostics; education; practice.

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EP-01
The epidemiological and economic assessment of bovine
viral diarrhoea infections worldwide
Pinior Beate1, Roch Franz-Ferdinand1, Richter Veronika1, Firth Clair
L1, Scharnböck Bettina1, Marschik Tatiana1, Baumgartner Walter2,
Obritzhauser Walter1, Wagner Peter3, Garcia Sebastien4, Minviel Jean
J4, Käsbohrer Annemarie1, Raboisson Didier4.
1
University of Veteriary Medicine Vienna, Unit of Veterinary Public
Health and Epidemiology, Austria; 2University of Veteriary Medicine
Vienna, University Clinic for Ruminants, Austria; 3Department of
Veterinary Administration, Styrian Provincial Government, Austria;
4
University of Toulouse, Population Medicine & Economics of Animal
Health, France.
Objectives: The aims of this study were:
i. to determine the geographical distribution of bovine vi-
ral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) infections and intervention
measures worldwide by conducting literature search-
es and questionnaires;
ii. to predict the temporal global development of BVDV
infections, both with and without intervention meas-
ures;
iii. to identify potential sources of heterogeneity in the
study by conducting a weighted-stratified meta-anal-
ysis of pooled prevalences, including countries, age
groups, production systems, vaccination status, clini-
cal signs, mitigation programmes, diagnostic methods
and sampling material;
iv. to assess the extent to which epidemiological factors
(e.g., BVDV new infection risk and circulation dura-
tion) and mitigation measures (e.g., vaccination, test-
ing and culling, purchasing new stock or contact with
neighbouring cattle herds) may influence production
losses due to BVDV infections in cattle herds and
v. to analyse whether the implementation of BVDV mit-
igation activities is economically justified in Austria
(Styria) and worldwide.
Material & Methods: To identify global studies focusing on
the prevalences, mitigation measures, production losses and
economics of BVDV control activities, an extensive systemat-
ic literature search was performed. Different meta-regression
models were developed to analyse the data from the litera-
ture. By pooling the data from eligible studies, weighted me-
ta-analyses were conducted using a random effect model to
estimate the pooled prevalences of BVDV infected cattle while
considering between- (heterogeneity) and within-study (sam-
pling) variance as a result of sampling error. Univariate and
multivariate meta-regression analyses were used to identify
factors such as diagnostic methods, age of animal, production
systems, or intervention measures that may have had a signif-
icant impact on the level of reported BVDV prevalences. Ad-
ditionally, a meta-regression model was developed to identify
potential influencing epidemiological factors (e.g., BVDV new
infection risk) and mitigation measures on the production loss-
es. Furthermore, a review of different economic assessments
of global BVDV mitigation measures was conducted and the
voluntary and compulsory BVDV eradication programmes
in the federal state of Styria, Austria,  were economically as-
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Epidemiology
sessed by performing a cost-benefit analysis that considered
potential trade effects due to implemented mitigation meas-
ures. In this context, a Bayesian structural time series model
was developed to analyse a hypothesised positive impact of
the compulsory BVDV programme on the Styrian cattle export
market.
Results: Our questionnaire and literature research col-
lected data for 107 countries. The meta-analysis covered 325
studies in 73 countries that reported BVDV infections in cat-
tle from 1961 to 2016. In total, 310,548 herds and 6.5 million
animals were tested for antibodies (AB) or BVD virus. The
worldwide pooled prevalences of persistently infected (PI)
cattle were found to sbe low (≤0.8% Europe, North America,
Australia), medium (>0.8% to 1.6% East Asia) or high (>1.6%
West Asia). The PI and AB prevalences in Europe decreased
over time, while BVDV prevalence increased in North Ameri-
ca. The highest mean pooled prevalences of PI animals were
identified in countries that had failed to implement any BVDV
mitigation programmes (including vaccination). Additionally,
the meta‐regression analysis revealed that the implementa-
tion of vaccination and biosecurity measures were associated
with  8%–12% and 28%–29% decrease in BVDV-associated
production losses on average, respectively, when simulated
herds were compared with or without such mitigation meas-
ures. This reduction was partially offset when livestock hold-
ers purchased new cattle or allowed direct contact with other
cattle herds.
An economic net benefit (benefit:cost ratio, BCR = 1.18)
of the Styrian mitigation programme was demonstrated during
the voluntary programme phase (January 1998–July 2004). If
investments in the compulsory programme (August 2004–De-
cember 2016) were taken into account, there was an overall
net economic loss (BCR = 0.16). The time point necessary to
reach payback of total mitigation costs would have been the
year 2020. The average number of cows and bulls exported
from Styria increased significantly by 45% on average and the
producer price increased by 10% on average during the com-
pulsory mitigation period compared to the voluntary period.
Conclusion: The epidemiological and mitigation factors
influencing BVDV prevalences and associated production
losses presented here, as well as the economic assessment
of control measures, could help to guide farmers and deci-
sion-makers to choose suitable strategies for the control of
BVDV.
Keywords: Meta-analysis, Animal Health Economics,
BVDV.
EP-02
Overview of control programmes of non-regulated cattle
diseases in the European Union
Jaka Jakob Hodnik1, Jože Starič1, Jožica Ježek1, George John Gunn2,
Inge Santman-Berends3.
Veterinary faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia;
1
Scotland's rural college, Inverness, United Kingdom; 3Royal GD,
2
Deventer, Netherlands.
153
ORAL — Epidemiology
Objectives: As part of a COST (European Cooperation in
Science and Technology) Action SOUND control (Standardiz-
ing Output-based surveillance to control Non-regulated Dis-
eases of cattle in the EU) more than 100 veterinarians, epi-
demiologists, statisticians, stakeholders and others, from 31
countries collaborate to evaluate existing control programmes
(CPs) for non- regulated cattle diseases throughout Europe
and beyond and to look for possibilities to move towards out-
put based comparison of the results of these CPs.
Materials and methods: The SOUND control project is
divided in to 5 working groups. Working group 1 (WG1) was
entrusted with the task of describing existing CPs for non-EU
regulated diseases. To collect the information on control pro-
grammes we created standardized tables members had to fill
with information on the diseases that aren’t regulated by the
EU but are controlled in their country. For this we aimed at dis-
eases that are not part of the A or B list of the new European
Animal Health Law as most of those diseases are regulated by
the EU. To be able to qualify as CP, it was agreed that a plan of
eradication, control or active surveillance should be in place.
Passive surveillance was excluded. The following information
requested for each infection that was controlled by at least
one COST country: if there was a CPs in place, type of cattle
the CP applies to, if participation is voluntary or compulsory,
if the programme is regional or national, funding, if there are
additional EU guarantees in place, the country status for the
disease (i.e. free, endemic, sporadic, etc.), and the last occur-
rence of disease in the country.
Results: We have obtained data for 24 diseases. Most
of the participating countries have a CP for Enzootic Bovine
Leukosis (N=25), Bluetongue (N=24), Infectious Bovine Rhi-
notracheitis (N=23), Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (N=22), Paratu-
berculosis (N=16), Anthrax (N=15), Bovine Genital Campy-
lobacteriosis (N=13) and Trichomonosis (N=11). While other
diseases are controlled only by a few or just by a single coun-
try. The country with the most controlled diseases is Norway
with 18 CPs and the countries that declared themselves free
from most diseases are Finland and Denmark with freedom
from 11 diseases. We made maps that illustrate the number of
CPs and the presence of disease and/or CP in each country.
The results are summarised in Deliverable 1.1 on the SOUND
control webpage (https://sound-control.eu/).
Conclusions: The results show the diversity in the number
and type of disease control programmes in European coun-
tries and provides invaluable information for epidemiologists,
veterinarians and stakeholders in Europe. In the next step we
will collect information on specifics of the cattle industry in
each of the countries and a more detailed description of the
CPs they have in place. This information will be combined in a
handbook that will provide a thorough overview of the CPs in
place for non-regulated cattle disease in Europe. This will help
to get an overview of the level of heterogeneity between dif-
ferent CPs and guide the data and methodology needs when
developing an output-based surveillance system.
Keywords: Cattle, non-regulated diseases, control pro-
gramme,
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
154
EP-03
Nation-wide screening of antibodies to Mycoplasma bovis
in Swedish dairy herds and herd characteristics associated
with the infection
Emma Hurri1, Anna Ohlson2, Åsa Lundberg2, Anna Aspán3, Karl
Pedersen3, Madeleine Tråvén4.
1
Clinical Sciences, SLU/National Veterinary Institute, SVA, Uppsala,
Sweden; 2Växa Sverige/Section of Animal Health, Stockholm, Sweden;
3
National Veterinary Institute, SVA, Uppsala, Sweden; 4Clinical
Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SLU, Uppsala,
Sweden.
Background: Mycoplasma (M.) bovis is considered an
emerging pathogen that causes severe disease in cattle in
many countries and is poorly responsive to treatment. An in-
creasing prevalence of the infection, suggested by preliminary
data, may pose a threat to the Swedish favorable situation
concerning antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in cattle herds.
In Sweden, M. bovis has caused severe symptoms with
outbreaks of pneumonia mainly in fattening herds. Before
this study, there were around 20 dairy herds and 30 fatten-
ing herds that had been diagnosed in other projects or in field
work. In 2016 a national screening on bulk tank milk (BTM)
was performed to determine the prevalence of M. bovis. The
samples were analyzed with PCR and ten farms out of 3,473
were positive, 0.3 % (1). There are disadvantages with the
use of PCR since the bacterium is shed intermittently and milk
from infected cows might not be included in the BTM at the
time of sampling. Therefore, analyzing antibodies (ab) could
provide a more correct prevalence of M. bovis infection in
Swedish dairy herds.
Objectives: The objectives of our study were to investi-
gate the BTM prevalence of M. bovis in Swedish dairy herds
by determining the presence of antibodies and M. bovis DNA
and to study herd characteristics associated with a positive
BTM sample.
Material & Methods: Samples of BTM delivered from all
dairy herds in Sweden, 3,144 herds, were obtained from the
dairy routine laboratory with the help from Växa Sverige. The
samples were analyzed with ID screen® indirect ELISA (ID-
vet, Grabels, France). High sensitivity and specificity for M.
bovis antibodies in serum was recently shown for this new-
ly developed ab ELISA (2). The samples were also analyzed
with a real time PCR (PathoProof Mastitis Major 4, Thermo
Fisher Scientific, Vantaa, Finland). Herd level data on health
parameters were retrieved from the Dairy Herd Improvement
database (Växa Sverige), for a period of 12 months prior to
the BTM sampling. The association between the herd-level
M. bovis antibody status (negative/positive) and each of the
herd variables was first evaluated by chi-square test (χ2) for
categorical variables and Student’s t-test for the continuous
ones. All variables with P≤0.20 were further analysed in mul-
tivariable logistic or linear regression models, correcting for
biologically plausible variables.
Results: BTM samples from 4.8 % of the herds were pos-
itive for antibodies to M. bovis. There were large regional dif-
ferences with the proportion of ab positive herds per region
ranging from 0 to 20 percent. All herds were negative on PCR

analysis. For the herd characteristics there was a higher risk
of antibody positivity in larger herds and there were also sig-
nificant associations between antibody positivity and having a
mortality of more than 0% in older calves (age 2-6 months) as
well as in young stock (age 6-15 months). Moreover, there was
a tendency of having a higher incidence of cows with more
than 120 days between calving and final insemination in an-
tibody positive herds compared to negative ones (P=0.052).
Conclusions: This is, to our knowledge, the first time a
nation-wide screening of BTM antibodies to M. bovis is pre-
sented using the ID screen® indirect ELISA. The results of
this study indicate that M. bovis infections are more preva-
lent among Swedish dairy herds than previously recognized,
and that ab ELISA may be an efficient way to detect infected
herds. The association between infection status, as measured
by BTM antibody ELISA, and young stock and late calf mortal-
ity suggests that M. bovis infection affects animal health and
welfare in Swedish dairy herds.
References:
1. Landin et al, IDF mastitis conference, 2019. Prev-
alence of Mycoplasma bovis and Streptococcus
agalactiae in Swedish dairy herds. https://www.re-
searchgate.net/publication/333162023_Prevalence_
of_Mycoplasma_bovis_and_Streptococcus_agalacti-
ae_in_Swedish_dairy_herds
2. Andersson et al. BMC Veterinary Research (2019)
15:369. A European inter-laboratory trial to evaluate
the performance of three serological methods for di-
agnosis of Mycoplasma bovis infection in cattle using
latent class analysis.
Keywords: Elisa, prevalence, risk factors, M. bovis, calf
mortality.
EP-04
Calf-level risk factors for neonatal diarrhoea in Belgian
Blue beef calves
Maude Lebrun1, Geert Hoflack1, Cécile Demblon2, Geert Vertenten3,
Bart Sustronck1.
MSD Animal Health, Brussels, Belgium; 2Veterinary Practice Demblon,
1
Hastière, Belgium; 3MSD Animal Health, Boxmeer, Netherlands.
Objectives: Neonatal calf diarrhoea (NCD) is one of the
most important causes of morbidity and mortality in calves.
NCD is considered to be a multifactorial disease, caused by
a complex interplay of pathogens, environmental factors, and
risk factors at the calf-level. The aim of this study was to as-
sess different factors that influence the risk of NCD in Belgian
Blue calves. Moreover, the prevalence of failure of passive
transfer of immunity in Belgian Blue calves was estimated.
Materials & methods: This prospective study was con-
ducted on a Belgian Blue farm from November 2017 to Oc-
tober 2018. In total 221 calves were followed during their first
month of life to record the occurrence of diarrhoea and differ-
ent calf-level factors i.e., birth weight, sex, dam parity, season
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Epidemiology
of birth, colostrum IgG concentration, volume of colostrum
consumed, time of first colostrum feeding, use of colostrum
replacers, tube feeding of colostrum, suckling versus artificial
rearing, and transfer of passive immunity. Transfer of passive
immunity was evaluated using serum radial immunodiffusion
measurement of immunoglobulin G approximately 48 to 72
hours after birth of the calves. R (R Core Team, 2017) multilev-
el regression techniques were used to assess the association
between calf-level risk factors and the occurrence of NCD in
Belgian Blue calves.
Results: The prevalence of NCD was 15,38% (CI95%
[10,90 – 20,83%]). The classification of the calves according
to their serum IgG concentration (Lombard et al., 2019) was
as follows: 54 calves (24,43%, CI95% [18,92 – 30,65%]) were in
the category < 10 g IgG/l, 101 calves (45,70%, CI95% [39,00 –
52,52%]) were in the category ≥ 10 - < 18 g IgG/l, 52 calves
(23,53%, CI95% [18,10 – 29,68%]) were in the category ≥ 18 – <
25 g IgG/l and 14 calves (6,33%, CI95% [3,51 – 10,40%]) had
serum IgG concentrations of ≥ 25 g/l. Significant predictors
of an increased odds of NCD were birth weight, use of colos-
trum replacers, time between birth and colostrum administra-
tion, season of birth and serum IgG concentration. For each
kilogram increase in birth weight (mean: 54,13 ± 8,90kg) of
the calves, the odds of NCD were reduced by 7% (OR 0,93;
CI95% [0,88 – 0,98]; p = 0,01). Calves that were fed colostrum
replacer, exclusively or in combination with dam’s colostrum,
had three times higher odds of developing NCD compared to
calves that only received colostrum from their own dams (OR
3,08; CI95% [21,15 – 8,33]; p = 0,025). Administration of colos-
trum more than two hours after birth resulted in 7-fold increase
of the NCD odds compared to administration of colostrum
within two hours after birth (OR 7.07; CI95% [2,29 – 22,00]; p <
0,001). Calves born in autumn and winter had nearly five times
higher odds of developing NCD compared to calves born in
the spring and summer (OR 4,76; CI95% [1,78 – 16,67]; p =
0,004). When considering calves with a serum IgG concentra-
tion < 10 g/l as reference, the odds of NCD was reduced by
74% in calves with a serum IgG concentration between 10 and
18 g/l (OR 0,26; CI95% [0,09 – 0,70]; p = 0,009) and by 79% in
calves with a serum IgG concentration between 18 and 25 g/l
(OR 0,21; CI95% [0,05 – 0,75]; p = 0,022). Calves with a serum
IgG concentration of more than 25 g/l had a numerically but
not significantly reduced odds of NCD compared to calves with
a serum IgG concentration of < 10 g/l, (OR 0,62; CI95% [0,11 –
2,74]; p = 0,5), probably due to the small number of calves in
this category.
Conclusions: According to new standards as proposed by
Lombard et al. (2019), in about 25% of the calves, the transfer
of passive immunity can be considered as an absolute failure
(serum IgG < 10 g/l). In only 30% of the calves, the transfer of
passive immunity can be classified as good to excellent (se-
rum IgG ≥ 18 g/l). The work described here identified several
calf-level factors as potential predictors of the risk of neonatal
diarrhoea in Belgian Blue beef calves. Further investigation of
those predictors is warranted and may be of benefit to produc-
ers and practitioners involved in the control of neonatal diar-
rhoea in Belgian Blue beef calves.
Keywords: Belgian Blue beef calves, neonatal calf diar-
roea, risk factors.
155
ORAL — Epidemiology
EP-05
Salmonella diagnostic testing and serotyping in southern
Australian dairy herds
Damian O'Brien1, Geert Vertenten2.
1
MSD Animal Health, Macquarie Park, Australia; 2MSD Animal
Health, Boxmeer, Netherlands.
Objectives: A Salmonella diagnostic programme was
conducted between 2017 and 2019 in Southern Australian
Dairy herds. The programme sought to identify Salmonella
isolates in bovine faecal samples from suspect Salmonella
cases and where a positive diagnosis of Salmonella was
confirmed, to identify the Salmonella isolate present. Further,
the programme sought to compare the isolates identified with
those present in commercially available vaccines, to allow
veterinarians to make an informed decision on Salmonella
vaccination.
Method: During the 3 years of the programme, co-operating
veterinarians submitted a total of 680 faecal samples from
clinical cases where they believed that Salmonella species
may have been contributing to disease in the cattle or on the
property. Samples from mixed aged cattle, ranging from young
calves to older cows, were submitted to a central veterinary
diagnostic laboratory for culture using Salmonella enrichment
media. Sensitivity testing was performed on any Salmonella
isolates grown and isolates were sent to the Microbiological
Diagnostic Unit of Melbourne University for serotyping.
Serotypes identified and their serogroups were compared
to the serotypes and serogroups that are represented in
the commercially available Australian vaccines, those being
Salmonella typhimurium (serogroup B), S. dublin (D), S.
bovismorbificans (C2), S. uganda (E1) and S. zanzibar (E1).
Results: From 680 samples submitted, a total of 219
(32.2%) salmonella positive samples were identified, yielding
221 salmonella isolates. Two samples were positive for both
Salmonella typhimurium and Salmonella bovismorbificans. All
other positive samples were positive for only one salmonella
serotype. Salmonella typhimurium was the most commonly
isolated serotype (81 isolations, accounting for 36.7% of
isolates), followed by Salmonella bovismorbificans (41, or
19.5% of isolates) and Salmonella dublin (28, or 12.7% of
isolates). There were a further 15 samples that were identified
as being from serogroup B, most likely Salmonella typhimurium,
5 from serogroup C, most likely Salmonella bovismorbificans,
and 2 from serogroup D, most likely Salmonella dublin, that
were not fully typed.
Salmonella isolates from 65 properties were in-vitro tested
for antimicrobial sensitivity, 3 demonstrated resistance to a
single antimicrobial and 3 demonstrated resistance to multiple
antimicrobials.
The majority of samples analysed came from 3
geographical regions – North East Victoria, Victorian Western
Districts and Gippsland – consistent with the main dairying
regions in the State. Geographical mapping of isolates found
that there was no consistent pattern in serotype occurrence
and that geographical distribution of isolates was varied within
the state.
Of the isolates that were fully serotyped, 87% (168/193)
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
156
were found to have commonality to one of the serotypes in
the Australian vaccines. When considering serotype and
serogroup, it was found that 95% (209/221) of isolates
shared either commonality of serotype or serogroup with the
Salmonella strains in the vaccines. When considering the
registered vaccine containing Salmonella typhimurium and S
dublin, 49.4% of isolates were definitively identified as being
one of these serotypes.
Conclusions: Salmonella culture and typing is an
important diagnostic tool to be utilised in the management
of salmonellosis in Victorian dairy herds. There are several
multivalent vaccines available and they contain salmonella
antigens from different serogroups. This study found that the
serogroups and serotypes in the vaccines are very closely
matched to the Salmonella isolates found in the field.
In this study a number of different Salmonella serotypes
and serogroups were identified, but the majority shared
commonality to the strains contained in the two available
Australian salmonella vaccines. To fully maximise the benefits
of a salmonella control programme incorporating vaccination,
selection of the most appropriate vaccine or vaccines to use is
a decision which should be done based on serotyping results
and in consultation with the consulting veterinarian. Monitoring
salmonella incidence and serotypes is important, even after
a vaccination programme has commenced, to monitor the
success of the programme and to check for any variation in
the serotypes of salmonella causing disease over time.
Keywords: Salmonella, diagnosis, serotyping, dairy,
Southern Australia.
EP-06
Interpretation of the results of Q fever ELISA tests in
domestic ruminants: a user-friendly Shiny application
based on latent class models in a Bayesian framework
Thibaut Lurier1, Marie Laure Delignette-Muller2, Florence Ayral3,
Elsa Jourdain4, Elodie Rousset5.
1
Université de Lyon, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR EPIA, Marcy
l'étoile, France; 2Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, VetAgro Sup,
CNRS, UMR 5558, Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive,
Villeurbanne, France; 3Université de Lyon, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, Usc
1233 UR RS2GP, Marcy l'étoile, France; 4Université Clermont Auvergne,
INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR EPIA, Saint-Genès-Champanelle, France;
5
French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health &
Safety (ANSES), Sophia Antipolis Laboratory, Animal Q fever Unit,,
Sophia Antipolis, France.
Q fever is a worldwide zoonotic disease, due to the bacte-
rium Coxiella burnetii, responsible for reproductive disorders,
such as abortion in domestic ruminants. Although direct detec-
tion of C. burnetii by quantitative PCR is primarily recommend-
ed for the direct diagnosis of Q fever in abortive contexts and
identification of bacterial shedding, serological approaches
aiming at detecting antibodies specific for C. burnetii are also
useful at both the individual and herd levels. At the individual
level, ELISA tests may be used to identify animals that were
 ORAL — Epidemiology

previously infected (with or without clinical signs and shed- mation. Veterinarians can therefore easily take advantage of a
ding) and may still be latently infected (carriers with or without complex statistical model in a Bayesian framework to support
shedding). At the herd level, ELISA tests may be used to re- their daily work related to Q fever risk analysis in ruminants. In
veal a past or recent exposure to C. burnetii within a consid- the absence of a perfect reference test, this application could
ered farm, a key tool for a rapid screening (prevalence, current also be useful for local and reference laboratories for the con-
evolutive circulation). firmatory diagnosis of an ELISA test result.
Recent investigations about the diagnostic accuracy of Keywords: Coxiella burnetii - serology - predictive values
the three ELISA tests currently commercialized for their use - seroprevalence -cattle.
in domestic ruminants showed that these tests are moderate-
ly sensitive (sensitivities ranged between 40% and 94%) and
that their specificities are inferior to 100% (specificities ranged
between 95% and 99%). As a consequence, the diagnostic
uncertainty should be considered to limit potential misinterpre-
tations of the individual or herd serological status.
The objectives of this study were (1) to build a method-
ological framework allowing calculating predictive values of Q
fever ELISA tests at both the individual and the herd levels and
(2) to provide a user-friendly application that could be easily
used by veterinarians to interpret the results of a serological
sample plan applied to a ruminant herd.
We developed an advanced computing method based
on latent class modeling, implemented using JAGS and R to
calculate predictive values corresponding to the results ob-
tained with any of the three commercialized ELISA tests, at
both the individual and the herd levels. This method was inte-
grated within an open source web application, using Shiny, to
favor its accessibility to all the potential users of these ELISA
tests (e.g., veterinarians, veterinary diagnostic laboratories,
research laboratories). After completing the characteristics of
the herd (species, herdsize, type of production) and the Q fe-
ver epidemiological context (if known), the users obtain the
probability of true seropositivity of the tested herd and animals
given the ELISA test results.
The operation of this application is illustrated on a true clin-
ical case where a Charolais bull originating from an apparently
‘free of infection’ herd was tested positive for Q fever by one
ELISA test at introduction. To confirm or infirm these test re-
sults, additional animals in the herd of origin were tested with
the same ELISA, considering firstly five heifers raised with the
bull and secondly all males and females more than two-year-
old (N=149). Probabilities of true seropositivity of the bull and
its originating herd were calculated thanks to the developed
application. The five other animals initially tested animals that
were raised with the seropositive bull were negative to the ELI-
SA test, which corresponds, in regard to the test used and to
the herd characteristics to a probability of the bull’s true sero-
positivity estimated at 0.85 with a 95% credibility interval (CI)
of [0.14; 0.98].
Among the animals older than two years present in the
herd, 5 out of the 149 tested animals tested positive which
corresponds for each positive animal to a probability of true
seropositivity estimated at 0 with a 95% CI of [0 ; 0.65]. At the
herd level, the probability that the proportion of seropositive
animals was above 0 was estimated at 0 with a 95% CI of [0 ;
0.58]; and if the herd was truly seropositive, the proportion of
truly seropositive animals in the herd was assessed to 0.06
with a 95% CI of [0.02; 0.12].
This application assists veterinarians in a proper interpre-
tation of the results of Q fever ELISA tests according to the
sampling size and to available epidemiological and herd infor-

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157
ORAL — Feedlot
FE-01
The usage of antibiotics and anti-inflammatories in calf-
rearing units in Finland
Heli Simojoki1, Heli Härtel2, Tuomas Herva3, Vesa Hihnala4, Liisa
Kaartinen5, Erja Tuunainen6, Outi Hälli1, Atte Sandelin1.
1
University of Helsinki, Department of Production Animal Medicine,
Saarentaus, Mäntsälä, Finland; 2HKScan, Turku, Finland; 3Atria Plc,
Oulu, Finland; 4Oy Snellman Ab, Pietarsaari, Finland; 5Finnish Food
Authority, Helsinki, Finland; 6Animal Health ETT, Seinäjoki, Finland.
Objectives: The usage of antibiotics (AB) in meat produc-
tion is of concern in many countries. In Finland, meat produc-
tion is mainly based on bull calves originating from dairy farms.
Bull calves are transported to the rearing farms at the age of
10–30 days. Respiratory diseases are common in calf-rearing
units. Approximately half of the calves are grown in special-
ized calf-rearing units selling calves to finishing units at the
age of 5–6 months. Rest of the units are integrated, finishing
their calves on their own farm. Bulls are slaughtered at the age
of 18 months.The aim of the study was to find out the amount
and type of antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories
(NSAIDs) used in different types of calf-rearing units.
Materials and methods: A total of 73 randomly selected
calf-rearing units from Finland participated in the study. Calves
(n= 27 692) were transported to these units between January
and October 2016 and followed up 180 days. All the medication
data and reason for medication were collected from the farms.
Bookkeeping was in electronic form in 44% of the farms and
on the paper form in 56% of the farms. The mean age of the
calf on arrival to the unit was 23 days (SD 9.1). After 5 months
feeding, calves either stayed on the same farm (28 farms,
n=3 745 calves) or from specialized calf-rearing units calves
were sold to another farm for finishing (45 farms, n=23  946
calves). Four out of fifth calves (79%) were milk breed (n=
21 766) and 21% milk-meat crossbred (n= 5926). The majority
of the calves (88.5%) were bull calves. Medications used for
dehorning were excluded from the data.
Results: During 180 day-period, 35 390 AB courses were
given to 27  692 calves, in average 1.3 AB courses per calf.
In 90% of the cases, reason for treatment was respirato-
ry disease. The most common AB treatment was parenteral
oxytetracycline, followed by macrolide and benzylpenicillin;
65%, 23% and 6%, respectively. Total of 28 045 NSAID treat-
ments were administered. Most commonly used NSAIDs were
meloxicam (54%) and carprofen (42%). In treatment courses,
NSAID was used together with AB in 66%, NSAID alone in 7%
and AB only in 26% of the cases. In specialized calf-rearing
units and in the units with integrated milk feeding and finishing
67% and 37% of the calves were medicated at least once,
respectively. The percentage of all medications per number
of raised calves by the unit varied in specialized calf-rearing
between 4–280% (mean 81%) and in integrated units 0–141%
(mean 42%).
Conclusions: The total numbers of AB courses were high.
The type of AB was selected according to Finnish guidelines
for treatment of respiratory diseases. NSAIDs were commonly
used with ABs as recommended. AB treatment was more com-
mon in specialized calf-rearing units where infection pressure
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
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might be higher due to bigger farm sizes and greater amount
of young susceptible animals in the farm.
Keywords: antibiotic, anti-inflammatories, calf, calf-
rearing.
FE-02
The metaphylactic use of tildipirosin for the control of
Bovine Respiratory Disease in pre-weaned high-risk calves
housed in individual hutches
Pedro Rodriguez Fernandez1, Vinicius Silva Machado2, Maria Luiza
Celestino2, Rafael C. Neves3, Michael A. Ballou2, Todd Bilby3.
1
Merck Animal Health, NJ, United States; 2Department of Veterinary
Sciences, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources,
Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States; 3Department of
Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue
University, West Lafayette, IN, United States.
Objectives: Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is one of
the major causes of morbidity and mortality during the pre-
weaning period. It delays growth of pre-weaned heifers, which
can lead to long term impact on fertility and productivity. In the
modern dairy industry, many calves are reared in heifer rais-
ing facilities, where calves are acquired from different sources
and are transported for long periods of time. Transportation is
a stressful event and is a known risk factor for BRD. There-
fore, the use of metaphylaxis can be indicated for transported
calves. However, information on the effect of tildipirosin for the
control of BRD on morbidity and mortality for high risk calves
housed in individual hutches is scarce. Hence, the objective
of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of two metaphylactic
strategies using tildipirosin for calves transported within the
first week of life.
Materials & methods: A total of 2,100 clinically healthy
Jersey and Jersey-cross calves were enrolled in the study.
Calves were transported from 12 different dairies located in
Minnesota to a calf raising facility located in New Mexico,
where they were housed in individual hutches until weaning
(56 days of life). Three days after arrival, calves were ran-
domly allocated into three treatment groups. Calves in META1
group received a single subcutaneous (SQ) injection of til-
dipirosin (ZuprevoTM, Merck Animal Health) at enrollment at
4mg/kg. Calves in group META2 received one SQ injection
of tildipirosin at enrollment (4mg/kg) and a subsequent SQ til-
dipirosin injection 17 days later. Calves in CON remained as
untreated controls. Average age at enrollment was 7.8 days.
BRD was diagnosed based on a scoring system that assesses
six clinical signs (cough, eye discharge, abnormal respiration,
nasal discharge, ear droop or head tilt, and rectal tempera-
ture ≥ 102.5oF). Body weight measurements were assessed
at enrollment and at weaning to calculate the average daily
gain. Mortality data was gathered from the farms’ database.
At enrollment and weaning, ultrasonography of the lungs was
assessed for random subset of 200 calves per treatment.
Blood was collected at enrollment, 10 and 27 days later, and
at weaning, for a random subset of 100 calves per treatment

group to determine evidence of inflammation. Haptoglobin,
serum-amyloid A, complete blood cell counts, and other bio-
markers were analyzed using commercial kits. The data was
analyzed using multivariate logistic regression, Cox Propor-
tional Hazards models, repeated measures ANOVA, and mul-
tivariate linear regression models. The variables age in days
at enrollment, body weight at enrollment, dam’s parity, season,
and rectal temperature at enrollment, and source of calf was
included as a random effect.
Results: The BRD incidence was 11.37%, 10.8% and
9.39% for calves enrolled in the CON, META1 and META2,
respectively (P = 0.44). Time to BRD diagnosis was not af-
fected by metaphylaxis (P = 0.45). Lung lesions was found in
25.1%, 24.9%, and 24.9% of calves enrolled in CON, META1,
and META2 groups, respectively (P = 0.99). Mortality tended
to be greater for CON calves in comparison to META2 calves
(1.55% vs 0.57%, P = 0.05), but did not differ between calves
enrolled in CON and META1 groups (1.55% vs 1.17%, P =
0.48). Weight gain was not affected by metaphylaxis. The
average daily gain for calves enrolled in CON, META1, and
META2 was 516.7, 517.7 and 524.6 g, respectively (P = 0.25).
Blood analysis revealed that some of the markers of inflam-
mation assessed were lower for META2 calves compared to
CON calves. At 27 days after enrollment, calves enrolled in
the META 2 treatment group had decreased concentrations of
haptoglobin and aspartate aminotransferase, and decreased
neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio compared to CON calves (P <
0.05). Additionally, CON calves had increased concentration
of globulins and lower albumin to globulin ratio than META2
calves at the end of the weaning period (P < 0.05).
Conclusions: In conclusion, metaphylaxis with tildipirosin
did not decrease the incidence of BRD in pre-weaned calves
that were transported within the first week of life. Weight gain
was not influenced by metaphylaxis. However, metaphylaxis
with two injections of tildipirosin at enrollment and 17 days
later tended to reduce mortality and significantly decreased
circulating biomarkers of systemic inflammation.
Keywords: High-risk calves, tildipirosin, metaphylactic
treatment, BRD.
FE-03
Effect of implant treatments to suckling beef steers on
growth performance for 200 days and on lifetime growth
performance and carcass traits
R. M. Cleale1, C. Trejo1, M. Corbin1, T. H. Short1, T. H. Allen2, B. H.
Obendorf2, M. R. Buyers3.
Zoetis, Parsippany, NJ, United States; 2Obendorf Ranch, Jordon Valley,
1
OR, United States; 3Agri Beef, Moses Lake, WA, United States.
Objectives: The goals of the study were 1) to evaluate
the impact of implant treatments administered to suckling
beef steers on growth performance over 200 days following
treatment, and 2) to determine if suckling calf implant treat-
ments impacted growth performance during grower and feed-
lot phases when the same implant treatments were equally
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
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applied to all cattle, and to assess calfhood implant effects on
carcass traits.
Materials and Methods: Growth by spring-born, pri-
marily Angus beef steer calves (n = 261; initial BW = 63 ±
5.1 kg) implanted with Synovex® One Grass (SOG; 150 mg
trenbolone acetate, 21 mg estradiol benzoate), Synovex® C
(SYNC; 100 mg progesterone, 10 mg estradiol benzoate), or
nothing (CON; negative control) was assessed over 200 d in
a study with a randomized block design with two pasture man-
agement groups. Treatment groups were equally represented
in each pasture management group, and individual calf was
the experimental unit. Calves remained together with their
dams throughout the suckling phase and did not have access
to creep feed. After weaning calves were placed in pens in
a drylot and fed long hay for 3 d, then were transitioned to a
forage-based total mixed ration. At 200 d after suckling calf
implant treatments were administered steers were assigned
to two drylot pens, each containing proportionately the same
number of calves from each treatment group as were enrolled
into the study to begin an 85-d backgrounding phase; all cat-
tle received Synovex® Choice at the start of this phase. Upon
completion of the backgrounding phase steers entered a com-
mercial feedlot and were fed an average of 193 d, then were
harvested and carcass data collected; all steers received a
Synovex® One Feedlot at initiation of the feedlot phase. Steer
bodyweights were measured at the start and end of suckling,
backgrounding, and finishing phases.
Results: Total 200-d BW gain for SYNC (178.7 kg) and
SOG (183.4 kg) were greater (P < 0.01) than CON (166.4 kg),
but not different from each other (P = 0.16). Similarly, 200-d
average daily gain for SYNC (0.89 kg/d) and SOG (0.92 kg/d)
were greater (P < 0.01) than CON (0.83 kg/d), but not different
from each other (P = 0.16). Cumulative 285-d gain for SYNC
(271.2 kg) and SOG (279.5 kg) were different from each other,
and greater than CON (256.7 kg; P < 0.05). Total gain over
the 193-d finishing period by CON (331.1 kg), SYNC (335.4
kg), and SOG (330.8 kg) were not different (P > 0.05). Thus,
implant treatments given to suckling calves did not negatively
impact feedlot performance of cattle. From initial implanting
to harvest (485 d), SYNC steers gained 16.9 kg more than
CON (P = 0.0530), and SOG steers gained 20.4 kg more than
CON (P = 0.0202). Carcasses from SYNC weighed 11.5 kg
more than CON (P = 0.0554), and SOG carcasses weighed
15.4 kg more than CON (P = 0.0107). Marbling score, ribeye
area, backfat thickness, distributions to USDA Quality Grades,
and distributions to USDA Yield Grades were unaffected by
suckling calf implant treatments. There was no impact of treat-
ments on morbidity or mortality, and there were no observed
adverse drug effects attributable to experimental treatments.
Conclusion: Under conditions of this study, a single dose
of SOG resulted in average daily gain over a 200-d grazing
period of 0.92 kg/d, significantly greater than for steers that
remained untreated (0.83 kg/d). Likewise, cattle treated with a
single dose of SYNC gained significantly faster than non-treat-
ed controls (0.89 kg/d) over 200 d. Implants in suckling calves,
with or without trenbolone acetate, increased BW gain, and
did not affect performance during backgrounding or feedlot
phases.
Keywords: Cattle, suckling, implant, growth rate, average
daily gain.
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FE-04
Risk factors for antibiotics use and spread of Mycoplasma
bovis in veal calves feedlots
Marie-Anne Arcangioli1, Thibaut Lurier2, Adélie Colin3, Anthéa
Huleux3, Paule-Azeline Guerineau1, Karine Hauray4, Florence Tardy3.
1
Université de Lyon, VetAgro Sup, Anses, UMR Mycoplasmoses
animales, F-69280, Marcy l'Etoile, France; 2Université Clermont
Auvergne, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR EPIA; Université de Lyon,
INRAE, VetAgro Sup, Usc 1233 UR RS2GP, F-69280, Marcy l'Etoile,
France; 3Université de Lyon, Anses, VetAgro Sup, UMR Mycoplasmoses
animales, F-69007 Lyon, France; 4SNGTV, Cabinet le Clair matin,
F-01000, Bourg en Bresse, France.
Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is the most antimicrobi-
al-consuming disease in veal calves production. The presence
of Mycoplasma (M.) bovis, as one of BRD causative agents, in
a feeding lot could contribute to a wider use of antimicrobials
as M. bovis is known to be persistent and resistant to most
antimicrobial families. Controlling some risk factors for intro-
duction or spread of this particular infectious agent may help
to also reduce antibiotic (AB) use.
Objectives: Two cross-sectional studies were set up to
assess the effect of lot size and feeding systems on M. bovis
infection spreading and on AB use. We also assess the effect
of M. bovis spreading as a risk factor for increased AB use.
Material & methods: Twenty-six feedlots were monitored
from the “all-in” entry of calves until 3 consecutive weeks with-
out any collective antimicrobial treatment. The spread of M.
bovis was estimated through seroconversion tested using the
BioK302 ELISA kit from BioX Diagnostics, on 10 to 15 calves'
sera randomly sampled in each feedlot, at the entry and at the
end of the observation period. All oral and injectable AB used
meanwhile were recorded. The feedlots were selected accord-
ing to their feeding system, either individual bucket (n=7) or
automatic milk feeders with shared nipples (n=19), and their
size, less (n=9) or more (n=17) than 50 calves. For both se-
roconversion and AB use, statistical analyses were conduct-
ed using multivariable generalized linear model with fattening
farms as random effect. In both models, we initially included
the following variables: feeding system, lot size, age, weight
of calves and seropositivity to M. bovis at introduction and first
order interaction between each variable. Use of AB and sero-
conversion rate to M. bovis were respectively included in the
models for seroconversion and use of AB.
Results: The lots were monitored for 42 to 81 days. M.
bovis infection spread increased with lot size (odd ratio (OR)
of 2.9 [1.4; 5.8] per two-fold increase in lot size). The propor-
tion of seroconverted calves was lower in bucket-fed lots com-
pared to automatic feeding lots with a shared nipple (OR =
0.03 [0.003; 0.41]). Analysis of the association with the pres-
ence of a seropositive calf at entry was inconclusive. AB use
was enhanced in larger feedlots with an increase of 1.5 treat-
ments per two-fold increase of lot-size. For same-sized lots,
the use of bucket could decrease AB consumption by up to
1.03 (-2.18;0.14) treatments per calf compared to automatic
feeding. Lastly, no association between seroconversion to M.
bovis and AB use was evidenced.
Conclusion: Bucket feeding in small size lots, i.e. with a
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
160
maximum of 50 calves in a same room, contribute to limit se-
roconversion to M. bovis together with consumption of antibi-
otics.
Keywords: Respiratory disease, Calves' lot, Antibiotics,
Mycoplasma.
FE-05
Genotyping and antimicrobial resistance patterns of
Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida and
Histophilus somni isolated from the upper and lower
respiratory tract of feedlot cattle
Edouard Timsit1, Trevor Alexander2.
University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada; 2Agriculture and Agrifood
1
Canada, Lethbridge, Canada.
Background/Objectives: During the last 10 years, the
prevalence of  Pasteurellaceae resistant against drugs typi-
cally used for bovine respiratory disease (BRD) control has
increased in feedlot cattle. Surprisingly, it is not clear whether
this increase in the prevalence of multidrug resistant (MDR)
bacteria is due to the spread of one or few multiple MDR
clones among cattle during the feeding period (i.e. horizontal
spread) or due to the recrudescence of MDR clones already
present in the respiratory tract of cattle upon arrival at feedlots.
Recently, we reported a high prevalence of MDR M. haemolyt-
ica, P. multocida and H. somni isolated from cattle with BP in 4
feedlots in Western Canada. Unfortunately, as we did not gen-
otype these isolates, it was not possible to determine whether
a few or a large number of MDR clones were present in these
feedlots, supporting either a horizontal spread of MDR clones
among cattle or a recrudescence from carriers. Therefore, the
objective was to genotype M. haemolytica, P. multocida and H.
somni isolates using pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE).
Materials and methods: Newly-received beef-crossed
feedlot calves (arrival body-weight ± SD = 282 ± 28 kg) with
BRD (n = 210) and pen-matched controls (n = 107) were sam-
pled by deep nasal swabs (DNS) and trans-tracheal aspira-
tion (TTA) at 4 feedlots in Western Canada. M. haemolytica, P.
multocida and H. somni were isolated from DNS and TTA sam-
ples and their AMR profiles were determined using broth dilu-
tion method. Isolates were then typed by PFGE and grouped
into pulsotypes (≥90% similarity).
Results: In total, 195, 277 and 139 isolates of M. haemo-
lytica, P. multocida and H. somni, respectively, were isolated
from DNS and TTA samples. A high proportion of M. haemo-
lytica (≥ 73%) and P. multocida (≥ 78%) isolated from DNS and
TTA were resistant against oxytetracycline (OXY) and tulath-
romycin (TUL). Concerning H. somni, there were high levels
of resistance against OXY (≥ 52%) and penicillin (PEN; ≥52%)
in both DNS and TTA samples. None or few isolates were re-
sistant to florfenicol (FEE), enrofloxacin (ENR) and ceftiofur
(CEF).  M. haemolytica isolates were distributed among 20
pulsotypes and 26 singlets. However, the majority of isolates
(54%) belonged to a single pulsotype, which displayed resis-
tance to TUL and OXY. This pulsotype was isolated from 29

different pens across all 4 feedlots. P. multocida isolates were
distributed among 9 pulsotypes and 11 singlets with the major-
ity of isolates (67%) belonging to one pulsotype that displayed
resistance to TUL and OXY. This pulsotype was present in 33
pens across all 4 feedlots. H. somni isolates were distributed
among 13 pulsotypes and 28 singlets that were either suscep-
tible to all antimicrobials tested or resistant to PEN and OXY.
No single dominant pulsotype was observed for H. somni.
Conclusions: The genotyping and antimicrobial suscep-
tibility testing of Pasteurellaceae isolated from cattle recently
placed at 4 feedlots showed that MDR clones of M. haemolyt-
ica and P. multocida can be shared among a large number of
cattle within and between feedlots. As cattle were very likely
from multiple origins, this finding suggests a horizontal trans-
mission of these clones among cattle shortly after arrival at
the feedlots.
Keywords: BRD, AMR, Shipping fever, Antibiotics, Mac-
rolides.
FE-06
Comparison of body temperature measurement using the
GUARDIAN® device in feedlots and its possible applications
in the early diagnosis of bovine respiratory disease
Iñaki Espinosa1, Rubén Prieto1, Natividad Pérez-Villalobos2.
Tórax SL, Madrid, Spain;
1 2
Universidad Europea de Madrid,
Villaviciosa de Odón, Spain.
Objective: The objective of the present study was to test
the new GUARDIAN® radiofrequency body temperature mea-
suring device for beef calves, to compare the temperature
detected depending on whether the device is housed in the
vagina or in the rumen and to assess possible applications in
the early diagnosis of bovine respiratory disease (BRD).
Material & methods: A one-week pilot study was conduct-
ed to assess the performance of GUARDIAN®, an externally
applied telemetric device for intra-vaginal or reticulo-ruminal
use. It is a T-shaped cylindrical device, 9 cm long and 2.8 cm
in diameter. This device takes measurements of body tem-
perature in a serial way, once every hour, sending this infor-
mation to mobile devices, including an alert system in case of
fever detection and storage of the data in its own database.
The device consists of a temperature sensor on an electronic
board, with a timer for sending the data every hour, a battery
that lasts longer than the feeding cycle and an antenna for
transmitting data. All this is included in a waterproof and bio-
compatible wrap-around material. Given the long-lasting char-
acteristics of the material, it is reusable and only requires an
external antenna to receive the signals, housed in the pen.
The GUARDIAN® device was applied both vaginally and
ruminally to five cross-bred beef calves at two different sites
(three in the province of Avila and two in Toledo) to assess
their functionality, possible undesirable effects (expulsion or
interruption of rumination) and to evaluate applications in the
early diagnosis of BRD. Calves from Avila were between 10
and 12 months old, while those from Toledo province were
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
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between 4 and 6 months old.
Results: All devices were functional regardless of the
route of application, and no undesirable effects were detected
(rumination was not interrupted in any of them and none of the
devices were expelled).
All animals showed daily temperature peaks above 40°C
when the devices were housed in the rumen, coinciding with
the maximum of rumination activity. In contrast, daily tempera-
ture fluctuations emitted by vaginal-housed devices in healthy
animals were minimal, coinciding with previous studies in
healthy animals (SD=0.16 ºC). All the animals that showed
temperatures above 40ºC by a vaginal GUARDIAN® were lat-
er explored and showed symptoms compatible with BRD and
rectal temperature equal to or higher than 40ºC.
Conclusions: GUARDIAN® showed optimal performance
without any undesirable effects and detected sick animals
satisfactorily and early, especially those devices placed in the
vagina.
Keywords: Radiofrecuency device, BRD.
FE-07
Highthroughput Antibody and Cellular Immune Response
Profiling Against Respiratory Pathogens in Calves following
a Preconditioning Protocol
Nathan Cebron1, Vanbergue Elise2, Blandine Gausseres1, Julie
Cournet1, Guiadeur Marlène2, Aurore Philibert2, Clément Boudenne3,
Lucie Dutheil3, Béatrice Mounaix2, Gilles Foucras3.
1
IHAP, Toulouse, France; 2Idele, Paris, France; 3ENVT, Toulouse,
France.
Objectives: Pre-conditionning of calves before entry in
fattening units has been promoted as a good approach to re-
duce antibiotics treatment against bovine respiratory diseases
(BRD). Enhancing immunity to respiratory pathogens by vac-
cination before the risk period may help reduce the prevalence
of BRD. The purpose of our study is to evaluate antibody and
cell-mediated response against the main repiratory agents
in a case/control study in order to evaluate the effects of the
pre-conditionning program on immunity to BRD.
Materials and methods: Two groups of calves (n=20)
were allocated randomly to each treatment. Pre-conditionned
(PREC) calves were weaned and grouped in loose hous-
ing approximately 50 days before entry in the fattening unit.
They received a balanced diet and were vaccinated twice at
4 weeks interval with an inactivated vaccine against BRSV,
BPI3 and Mannheimia haemolytica. During that time, control
(CON) calves were kept with their dams on pasture without
any change. After weaning, they were directly transported to
the fattening unit where the vaccination program with the same
vaccine was implemented. Blood samples were collected at
recruitment in the protocol, and then at the date of entry, and
30 and 60 days after entry, to cover the period of highest BRD
incidence in this breeding system. Antibody response against
BRSV, BPI3 and Mannheimia haemolytica was assessed by
ELISA (BioX diagnostics). Whole blood cell stimulation was
161
ORAL — Feedlot
prepared with the same pathogens, to assess cellular repons-
es, and with lipoplysaccharide (LPS) and concanavaline A to
measure the levels of innate and adaptive responses, respec-
tively. Cytokine production was measured using a custom bo-
vine cytokines Milliplex assay (MERCK-Millipore).
Results: At the time of inclusion, no difference between
the groups was noticed. The average daily gain (ADG), zinc
and glutathion-peroxydase plasma concentration were higher
in PREC compared to CON (+ 440g /d; + 3pmol / L; + 118U /
g Hb) at the time of entry in the fattening unit. Further, specif-
ic antibodies for BPI3, BRSV, and Mannheimia haemolytica
were higher in PREC compared to CON, as was IFNg produc-
tion in response to Mannheimia haemolytica. Immune traits
were correlated with several parameters like trace minerals or
weight gain despite the low number of evaluated animals and
the possibility of confusing factors.
Conclusions: High-throughput profiling of the immune re-
sponse in young bulls around the entry in fattening units high-
light the benefit and limits of pre-conditionning, and opens up
promising prospects for the management of BRD in cattle, and
improvement of farming conditions.
Keywords: BRD, vaccine, preconditioning, young bulls.
FE-08
Activity, rumination, and performance of BRD treated
calves compared to their own baseline activity and healthy
cohorts
Jason S. Nickel1, John P. Hutcheson1, Pedro Rodriguez2.
Merck Animal Health, Kansas, United States; 2Merck Animal Health,
1 imal Health, Madison, NJ, USA) suggesting that this product
Ontario, Canada.
Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine
rumination, activity, and performance of cattle treated for BRD
with Florfenicol-Flunixin Meglumine combination when com-
pared to their own baseline and healthy cohorts.
Materials & Methods: This experiment was designed as
a prospective cohort study in 203 beef calves exposed to nat-
urally-occurring bovine respiratory disease (BRD). Upon ar-
rival, calves were processed with a standard feedlot receiving
protocol. All calves were equipped with an ear monitoring tag
(Allflex Livestock Intelligence) that captures biometric data.
Calves were enrolled at the time of first BRD diagnosis. The
case definition for BRD consisted of a clinical score of 1, 2
or 3 and rectal temperature > 104°F. All calves meeting the
case definition (N=93) were treated with a fixed combination of
Florfenicol–Flunixin Meglumine (Resflor Gold, Merck Animal
Health, Madison, NJ, USA). Treated calves were allocated to
a separate “sick pen” and followed for 46-days post-diagnosis.
The remaining calves not diagnosed with BRD (N=110) were
maintained in the original pens. Health, average daily gain
(ADG), activity, and rumination parameters were collected on
all calves. Data analyses were performed by generalized lin-
ear mixed models evaluating the calf as the experimental unit.
Results: No statistical differences were observed in the
arrival body weight between calves ultimately categorized as
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
162
healthy (463.8 lbs, 95% confidence interval [95%CI]; 362.5,
565.2) or sick (461.5 lbs, [95%CI]; 451, 472) (P>0.10). Com-
pared to cattle diagnosed with BRD at least one time, calves
never meeting the BRD case definition displayed a heavier
final body weight (615.1 lbs [95%CI; 527.4, 702.8] vs 547.7
lbs [524.4, 571.1], respectively) and a greater ADG (3.3 lbs/
day, [95%CI; 0.7, 5.9] vs 1.8 lbs/day, [95%CI; 1.4, 2.2], re-
spectively) (P≤0.10). Rumination and activity were also great-
er (P≤0.10) among healthy calves throughout the study com-
pared to calves treated at least once for BRD.
Additionally, calves treated more than once experienced
ongoing reductions in ADG, rumination, and activity parame-
ters (P≤0.10). In calves treated up to three times, the negative
impact on ADG was observed as early as the timeframe be-
tween enrollment and first BRD treatment compared to calves
treated only once or twice (P≤0.10).
The impact of the treatment with Florfenicol–Flunixin Me-
glumine (Resflor Gold, Merck Animal Health, Madison, NJ,
USA) on rumination and activity pre and post administration
was also assessed. Post-administration outcomes for both
rumination and activity increased compared to pre-treatment
levels among calves treated only one time for BRD (P≤0.10).
No differences were observed between pre- and post-ad-
ministration estimates for calves treated twice or three times
(P>0.10). No adverse events were observed in this study.
Conclusions: This study showed further evidence that
cattle diagnosed and treated for BRD display a negative per-
formance compared to cattle that maintained optimal health.
However, cattle that respond favorably to the initial BRD treat-
ment outperform their cohorts that require ongoing therapy.
Rumination and activity biometrics were not negatively impact-
ed in this study regardless of the frequency of BRD treatments
with Florfenicol–Flunixin Meglumine (Resflor Gold, Merck An-
may not have a negative impact on the animal’s gastrointesti-
nal environment.
Keywords: Feedlot, calves, rumination, BRD, monitoring.
FE-09
Reduction in BRD antimicrobial treatments in a US feedlot-
based multi-site study using conventional BRD control
approach vs. targeted prediction technology
Jason S. Nickel1, John P. Hutchenson1, David G. Renter2, David A.
Amrine1, Juan Pedro Campillo3.
Merck Animal Health, Kansas, United States; 2Kansas State University,
1
Kansas, United States; 3Allflex Livestock Intelligence, Netanya, Israel.
Objective: The study objective was to determine if cattle
health and performance comparing a targeted bovine respira-
tory disease (BRD) prediction technology (BRD_PT; Whisper®
On-Arrival) was superior to a negative control (no metaphylax-
is) yet no different than a positive control (conventional BRD
metaphylaxis; 100% application).
Materials & Methods: Across 4 US study sites (Texas [2
sites; TX-1, TX-2], Oklahoma [OK], Nebraska[NE]), cattle were

procured from various livestock auction markets, processed
with the same product regimen, and randomly allocated to one
of four BRD control treatment groups: 1. Negative control (Sa-
line), 2. Positive control (Tildipirosin [Zuprevo®] to 100% of the
group), 3. BRD_PT-high (± Tildipirosin; more calves treated),
and 4. BRD_PT-low (± Tildipirosin; less calves treated). With-
in either BRD_PT-managed group (i.e. groups 3 and 4), only
calves identified to be at high risk for BRD by the technology
were administered the BRD control drug; those at predicted
lower risk were left without therapy. Calves were penned by
treatment group. Three days after treatment administration,
cattle were observed daily by pen riders blinded to treatment
group assignment. The same BRD case definition and BRD
treatment regimen was implemented across all 4 sites. Cat-
tle were followed to either a short-term timepoint (TX-1, 50
days; NE, 60 days) or to closeout (TX-2, 230 days; OK, 240
days). Health and performance outcomes were collected at
all respective timepoints. Carcass metrics were captured on
those followed to closeout.
Results: Across all sites, BRD control antibiotic use was
reduced by 11% to 43% between the two BRD_PT-managed
treatment groups compared to the positive control where 100%
of the cattle received antimicrobial therapy. The positive con-
trol and both BRD_PT-managed groups significantly (P≤0.05)
improved numerous health and performance outcomes com-
pared to the negative control. At one site (OK), the BRD_PT-
high group displayed a significant improvement in hot carcass
weight (P≤0.05) compared to the positive control. However,
no further differences (P>0.05) were observed between either
BRD_PT-managed group and the positive control at any of the
4 sites.
Conclusion: Across all 4 sites, the BRD_PT technology
(Whisper® On-Arrival) maintained the benefits of a conven-
tional BRD control program yet reduced BRD control antibiotic
use by 11% to 43%. This technology has the potential to re-
duce antibiotic costs to the producer while supporting judicious
antimicrobial use.
Keywords: Calves, BRD, prediction, technology,
metaphylaxis.
FE-10
Environmental sampling for characterization
Mannheimia haemolytica shedding by feedlot cattle
William B. Crosby1, Robert Valeris-Chacin2, Cory Wolfe2, Sheryl P.
Gow3, Amelia R. Woolums4, Paul S. Morley2.
1
Missippi State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department
of Pathobiology and Population Medicine, United States; 2Texas A&M
University, Veterinary Education, Research, and Outreach Program,
United States; 3University of Saskatoon, Western College of Veterinary
Medicine, Canada; 4Mississippi State University, College of Veterinary
Medicine, Department of Pathobiology and Population Medicine,
United States.
Objective: Control and prevention of Bovine Respiratory
Disease (BRD) is a major reason for treatment of cattle with
ORAL — Feedlot
antimicrobial drugs. However, the prevalence of antimicrobi-
al resistance (AMR) is increasing in  Mannheimia haemolyti-
ca and other BRD pathogens which may limit treatment effi-
cacy. Investigation of AMR impacts on BRD requires recovery
and characterization of  M. haemolytica by costly and time
consuming sampling of individual cattle. Identifying group
sampling methods that are comparable to individual sampling
could facilitate surveillance and research. The objective of this
study was to compare detection of  M. haemolytica  in cattle
via individual sampling using culture and quantitative real-time
PCR (qPCR) of nasopharyngeal swabs (NPS) with detection
from group sampling methods - water bow swabs, ropes hung
on pens, and pooled DNA from NPS.
Materials and Methods: Cattle housed in10 pens located
at 3 commercial feedlots in Texas were sampled at 10-22 days
on feed. Ten animals from each pen (n=100) were randomly
selected and NPS were obtained using rayon swabs for bacte-
rial culture and DNA extraction. Five 1-cm diameter polyester
ropes were hung from each study pen for 24 hours. Water
bowls from each pen were swabbed at 3 locations in the bowl:
the bottom, the waterline, and the top. qPCR for the leukotoxin
D gene of  M. haemolytica was performed in triplicate using
DNA from individual NPS (n=10 animals/pen), pools of NPS
(n=3 pools/pen), ropes (n=3/pen), and water bowls (n=3/pen).
Individual NPS (n=10 animals/pen), ropes (n=2/pen), and wa-
ter bowls (n=3/pen) were cultured to identify M. haemolytica.
Mean Ct for each sample type was compared by Kruskal-Wal-
lis analysis of variance on ranks, with post-hoc Dunn test using
Benjamini-Hochberg correction.
Results: M. haemolytica was only cultured from individual
NPS, with animal within pen prevalence ranging from 0-50%
of animals sampled (median=10 %). qPCR identified M. hae-
molytica in 41% of individual NPS (n=41), 60% of pooled NPS
samples (n=18), 76% of rope samples (n=23), and 78 % of
water bowls (n=14 - only 18 samples had sufficient DNA for
testing). Overall, ope samples had a lower mean Ct than wa-
ter bowls, NPS pools, and individual NPS (26.5 vs 30.1, 31.1,
34.9, respectively; p <0.05). However, when analyzing pens
separately, for 7 pens, there was no difference in mean Ct for
each of the methods (Kruskal-Wallis, p>0.05).
Conclusions: These results support the use of group
sampling to characterize group prevalence of  M. haemolyti-
ca via qPCR. Culture of M. haemolytica did not reliably identify
the agent in group sampling methods.
Keywords: Real-time PCR, BRD, bacterial culture.
of
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ORAL — Genetics and Breeding
GB-01
Estimated breeding values of dairy sires regarding
colostrum traits
Aikaterini Soufleri1, Georgios Banos2, Nikolaos Panousis3, Georgios
Arsenos1, Georgios E. Valergakis1.
1
Laboratory of Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,
School of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124
Thessaloniki, Greece, Thessaloniki, Greece; 2Laboratory of Animal
Husbandry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, School of Health Sciences,
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece,
Scotland's Rural College/Roslin Institute, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK,
Thessaloniki, Greece; 3Clinic of Farm Animals, Faculty of Veterinary
Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki,
54124 Thessaloniki, Greece, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Objectives: Colostrum administration provides newborn
calves with important nutrients (fat, protein, lactose) and im-
munity (IgG). Significant heritability estimates have been re-
ported on colostrum traits ranging from 0.15 to 0.27, suggest-
ing the traits can be improved with selective breeding based
on estimated breeding values (EBVs) of selection candidate.
The objective of this study was to derive and examine EBVs of
Holstein sires for colostrum traits.
Materials and Methods: The study examined daughter of
67 Holstein sires, raised in 6 commercial dairy herds in North-
ern Greece. Number of daughters (purebred Holsteins with full
pedigree) for each sire ranged from 5 to 49; the total num-
ber of cows with records in the study was 699. These cows
calved between February 2015 and September 2016. Cows
were milked completely after calving and a colostrum sam-
ple was collected. Fat, protein and lactose content (%) were
determined with Milkoscan. Colostrum total solids (TS) were
assessed with a digital Brix refractometer and expressed in
% Brix values. Sire EBVs for colostrum traits (TS, fat, protein
and lactose content) were derived with univariate statistical
analyses based on a mixed model. The model included the ef-
fects of farm, parity number, calendar season, age at calving,
colostrum yield, time interval between calving and colostrum
collection, dry period length, cow body condition score at calv-
ing and milk yield of previous lactation, and the random animal
additive genetic effect. The ASREML software was used for all
statistical analysis.
Results: Sire EBVs were normally distributed. The EBV
for colostrum TS ranged from a -4.05 to +3.47 (average EBV
reliability 0.42). The EBV difference between the 10th and the
90th percentiles was 3.20% (-1.50 and +1.70, respectively).
The phenotypic difference in % Brix values between daugh-
ters of sires in the 10th and 90th percentiles was 5.6% (22.6 and
28.2, respectively). The EBV for colostrum fat content ranged
from a -2.60 to +1.29 (average EBV reliability 0.29). The EBV
difference between the 10th and the 90th percentiles was 2.23%
(-1.56 and +0.67, respectively). The phenotypic difference of
fat content between daughters of sires in the 10th and 90th per-
centiles was 3.7% (4.2 and 7.9, respectively). The EBV for co-
lostrum protein content ranged from a -2.76 to +2.04 (average
EBV reliability 0.34). The EBV difference between the 10th and
the 90th percentiles was 2.32% (-0.92 and +1.40, respectively).
The phenotypic difference of protein content between daugh-
ters of sires in the 10th and 90th percentiles was 4.4% (15.7
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
164
and 20.1, respectively). The EBV for colostrum lactose content
ranged from a -0.34 to +0.38 (average EBV reliability 0.24).
The EBV difference between the 10th and the 90th percentiles
was 0.33% (-0.21 and +0.12, respectively). The phenotypic
difference of lactose content between daughters of sires in the
10th and 90th percentiles was 0.9% (1.7 and 2.6, respectively).
Three bulls had positive EBVs and 5 had negative EBVs for
all four traits studied. When considering TS, fat and protein
content only, 13 bulls had positive EBVs and 19 had negative
EBVs for all three traits. Mean EBVs for the 13 "positive" bulls
were 1.05, 0.44 and 0.61, for TS, fat and protein content, re-
spectively. Mean EBVs for the 19 "negative" bulls were -1.10,
-0.66 and -0.67, for TS, fat and protein content, respectively.
Conclusions: Variability in sire EBVs regarding colostrum
traits supports the concept of genetic selection leading to trait
improvement. A synthetic colostrum quality index could be po-
tentially developed comprising sire EBVs on individual traits.
This index could be eventually included in an overall perfor-
mance index that will drive future breeding programs.
Keywords: Breeding values, sire, cow, colostrum.
GB-02
The genetic architecture of susceptibility to claw horn
disruption lesions in Holstein cows
Matthew Barden1, Bingjie Li2, Alkiviadis Anagnostopoulos1, Cherry
Bedford3, Bethany Griffiths1, Androniki Psifidi4, Georgios Banos2,
Georgios Oikonomou1.
University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom; 2Scotland's
1
Rural College, Edinburgh, United Kingdom; 3University of Liverpool,
Edinburgh, United Kingdom; 4Royal Veterinary College, North
Mymms, United Kingdom.
Objectives: Lameness is the most serious welfare prob-
lem facing the modern dairy industry. The lesions associated
with the greatest impact on animal welfare, and those which
incur the greatest financial costs to farms, are claw horn dis-
ruption lesions (CHDLs). The three most prevalent CHDLs are
sole haemorrhage, sole ulcers and white line disease. In the
United Kingdom, breeding strategies have not reduced the
prevalence of lameness in the national herd and this is due,
in part, to the paucity of detailed phenotypic data to inform
genetic selection. Previous research from our group has iden-
tified the existence of genomic variation and regions that were
associated with specific lameness lesions, suggesting value in
pursuing this area of research [1]. The aims of this study were
to determine the genetic variance and genomic regions which
underly CHDL development.
Materials and methods: Over an eight-month period,
2,353 Holstein cows were enrolled on four dairy farms in the
United Kingdom. Animals were assessed at four timepoints:
prepartum (average: 56 days prepartum); freshly calved (av-
erage: 5 days postpartum), early lactation (average: 84 days
postpartum) and late lactation (average:182 days postpartum).
At each timepoint feet were inspected by a trained veterinarian
and all lesions present were recorded and scored by severity.

Pedigrees were obtained for all cows with phenotypes, and
1,622 cows were genotyped with the Illumina 50K Bovine SNP
chip. Lesion scores at the first three timepoints were combined
to create an overall CHDL score, accounting for lesion sever-
ity and total number of feet inspections per cow (lesions from
late lactation timepoint will be included in the final analyses).
CHDL score was used as the phenotype for genomic analyses.
A single-step GBLUP method was used to calculate heritability
and the genetic correlations between CHDL score at different
timepoints. Genome-wide association (GWA) analyses were
applied to identify candidate genomic regions associated with
CHDL score, using both single-marker and window-based as-
sociation. Significance testing of SNP effects were adjusted
using Bonferroni and False Discovery Rate approaches to
control for multiple testing during GWA analyses.
Results: The average cow-level prevalence, across all
timepoints and including all severity grades, was 43.3% for
sole haemorrhage, 4.6% for sole ulcers and 35.8% for white
line disease. Across all timepoints, the heritability for the
combined CHDL score was 0.18 (SE: 0.03), using both pedi-
gree-based and genomic approaches. The genetic correlation
between CHDL score at different timepoints was high (>0.9).
GWA analyses did not identify any SNP to be significant for
CHDL score after the Bonferroni correction, but some SNPs
exceeded a suggestive threshold after correcting for one false
discovery per genome scan. When markers were grouped
by 1Mb sliding windows, several candidate genomic regions
were identified which explained larger proportions of genetic
variance for CHDL score than other regions in the genome,
approximately 3-4% of the total genetic variance. Estimated
genomic breeding values for the combined CHDL score were
calculated and showed good correlation with phenotypic val-
ues (0.67).
Conclusions: The genetic correlation between CHDL
scores at each timepoint was high. This suggests an under-
lying genetic basis which was not dependent on environmen-
tal factors specific to the stage of lactation. As a combined
phenotype, CHDL development is moderately heritable, and
the estimated genomic breeding values indicate a reasonable
correlation with the observed phenotype. Therefore, there is
the potential to incorporate CHDL resistance into future breed-
ing programmes. The presence of multiple candidate genomic
regions suggests a polygenic architecture of CHDLs; further
study is warranted in order to elucidate specific genes and mo-
lecular pathways involved.
References:
1. Sánchez-Molano E, Bay V, Smith RF, Oikonomou G,
Banos G. Quantitative Trait Loci Mapping for Lame-
ness Associated Phenotypes in Holstein–Friesian
Dairy Cattle. Front Genet. 2019;10:926. doi:10.3389/
fgene.2019.00926.
Keywords: Claw horn disruption lesions, GWAS, Herita-
bility, Lameness, Welfare.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Genetics and Breeding
GB-03
Aging increases inflammatory response in dairy cattle
Gilles Foucras1, Nathan Cebron2, Sarah Walachowski2, Aurélie
Chaulot-Talmon3, Charline Pontlevoy3, Rodolphe Robcis1, Alice De
Boyer Des Roches4, Dorothée Ledoux4, Valérie Gelin3, Christophe
Richard3, Hélène Kiefer3, Hélène Jammes3.
1
ENVT, Toulouse, France; 2IHAP, Toulouse, France; 3BDR, Jouy-en-
Josas, France; 4UMRH, Saint- Genès-Champanelle, France.
Objectives: Old cows are reputed more sensitive to bacte-
rial infections, developping more severe mastitis than youngest
ones. However the biological basis of these observations are
not known. Risk factors increase with aging, but inflammation
and innate immunity are modified in the long term by previous
exposure to microbes. Epigenetic changes of immune cells
like monocytes could explain increased severity to infection.
Monocytes are central in these mechanisms, and they under-
go functional changes upon contact with pathogens or their
products, and adapt their response to subsequent challenges.
However, the molecular bases of long-term reprogramming
are still poorly understood in cattle.
Materials and methods: Twenty-three cows were chal-
lenged through an intravenous bolus injection of LPS (0.5 µg/
kg BW, ultrapure LPS, InVivogen) to induce a systemic in-
flammatory response. Fourteen of them were bovine somatic
clones originating from the same cell line, in two groups of 5
and 15-years of age, respectively. A genetically-diverse group
of 5 years-old cows (n=9) was also included in the study. All
cows were raised and housed together as a single group since
birth in an experimental farm. Cytokine production was mea-
sured sequentially (0, 3, 6, 12, and 24h) in plasma using a new-
ly-developed custom bovine cytokines 15-plex Milliplex assay
(MERCK-Millipore). Blood samples were collected twice at 0
and 24 hours after LPS injection. Monocytes were isolated and
their genome-wide DNA methylation profile was determined
by reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS) using
a dedicated pipeline, in order to assess epigenetic marks ac-
cording to the age, genetic background, and response to LPS.
Results: LPS exposure was associated with the produc-
tion of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α). IL-6
and TNF-α production were higher in aged compared to young
cows, and clinical signs were more severe in the former, in-
dicating a stronger inflammatory response according to the
age. Differentially-Methylated Cytosines (DMCs) targeting
genomic regions important to monocyte identity and func-
tions, independently of the genetic background, were identi-
fied. LPS stimulation causes hypomethylation in dairy cows
whatever the age. Monocytes undergo epigenetic modifica-
tions after LPS challenge, indicating that previous exposure to
Gram-negative bacteria, may modify the later capacity of the
cells to respond to an infection. Comparison of young and old
cattle led to identification of epigenetic marks related to aging.
Conclusions: Aged cows have a stronger inflammatory
response that correlates with the presence of specific marks
that develop during the course of life. Knowledge on epigene-
tic marks induced by aging may help define new breeding and
prevention strategies.
Keywords: Inflammation, aging, epigenetic, dairy cows.
165
ORAL — Genetics and Breeding
GB-04
Impact of host genetics on resistance of bovine monocyte-
derived macrophages to Mycobacterium avium subsp.
paratuberculosis infection
Maria Canive, Gerard Badia-Bringué, Marta Alonso-Hearn.
NEIKER, Derio, Spain.
The application of animal genetics in breeding programs
is currently one of the important motors for efficient livestock
production, not only to increase performance and productivity
but also to ensure the resilience and health of livestock while
maintaining or improving the longevity of animals. Genetic se-
lection to enhance the resistance of dairy cattle to paratuber-
culosis (PTB) and other bovine diseases is being extensively
explored. Resistance is defined as the ability of the host to
prevent invasion or to clear the pathogen at the early stage
of infection by mounting a protective immune response. How-
ever, the genetic loci influencing individual resistance to My-
cobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) infection
and the primary molecular and cellular mechanisms under-
lying host resistance are still largely unknown. MAP spends
most of its life cycle within macrophages which play a cru-
cial role during all phases of infection. It is generally accepted
that less Mycobacteria growth in macrophages in vitro implies
immune restriction and hence less susceptibility, lower risk of
infection or disease in vivo. Since macrophages functions are
controlled by a limited number of genes under a controlled en-
vironment, the probability of identifying animals with a superior
innate immune response against MAP using ex vivo macro-
phages models is much higher in comparison to field data. In
the current study, we searched for genetic loci associated with
resistance to MAP infection by evaluating the performance of
MAP-infected monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) isolat-
ed from peripheral blood of 75 Holsteins cows and infected ex
vivo with MAP. Bacterial load (log colony-forming unit, CFU)
within MDMs was quantified at 2h and 7 days p.i. using a Bac-
tec MGIT 960 instrument. In addition, the levels of some host
biomarkers such as Epiregulin (EREG), Complement C3 (C3),
galectin-9 (LGALS9), and nitric oxide (NO) were measured in
the supernatant of the infected cells at 2 h p.i by ELISA. DNA
from peripheral blood samples of the animals included in the
study were genotyped with the EuroG MD bead Chip (44,779
single nucleotide-polymorphisms, SNPs). Linear mixed mod-
els were used to calculate the heritability (h2) estimates and
variance components for each phenotype; the amount of MAP
within MDMs and biomarkers expression. After performing a
genome-wide association study, the localization of associat-
ed SNPs, QTLs, and candidate genes was performed using
the ARS-UCD1.2 reference Bos Taurus genome. The only
phenotype that showed SNPs with a significant association
(PFDR≤0.05) was the bacterial load within MDMs at 2h (h2= 0.
87) and 7 days (h2= 0.83) p.i. The six identified SNPs were lo-
cated on the Bos taurus chromosomes BTA2, BTA17, BTA18,
and BTA21. Overlap was seen in two SNPs associated with
the logCFUs at 2h and 7 d. p.i. All the identified SNPs had
negative regression coefficients, and were, therefore, asso-
ciated with a low bacterial load within MDMs. The following
candidate genes were identified within a 100 Kb window of the
significant SNPs: Oxysterol Binding Protein like 6 (OSBPL6),
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
166
Serine Rich Nuclear Protein 3 (CSRNP3), and the Coiled-Coil
Domain Containing 92 (CCDC92). OSBPL6 is an intracellular
lipid receptor that contributes to the maintenance of choles-
terol homeostasis by regulating cellular cholesterol trafficking
and efflux. CSRNP3, also named TGF-Beta Induced Apopto-
sis Protein 2, is a transcriptional activator of apoptosis. The
CCDC92 is an interferon-stimulated protein that plays a role
in innate immunity and regulation of defense response. Es-
timated breeding values (EBVs) for the ratio of logCFUs at
7d/2h were calculated for each animal in the study population
using the best linear unbiased prediction (GBLUP) model and
the genomic predictions were validated in a population of ani-
mals with high (N= 8) and low (N= 8) EBVs. MDMs from these
animals were infected ex vivo with MAP and the correlations
between the logCFUs ratios within MDMs and EBVs were pos-
itive (Pearson R=0.77). Taken together, our results define a
heritable and distinct immunogenetic profile in MAP-infected
macrophages designed to limit bacterial load and inflamma-
tion early after infection. The identified SNPs could be used
to develop genetic evaluations for immunocompetence in the
Spanish breeding program which would allow producers to se-
lect cattle more resistant to MAP infection and likely to other
intracellular pathogens as well; ultimately reducing the prev-
alence of diseases, preventing economic losses, increasing
the length of cattle productive life, and improving food safety.
Keywords: Host resistance, breeding, macrophages,
paratuberculosis, innate immune response.
GB-05
Inherited zinc deficiency-like syndrome in Holstein
cattle due to a loss-of-function mutation of IL17RA-
transmembrane protein
Sickinger Marlene1, Häfliger Irene2, Holsteg Mark3, Raeder Leif
M.1, Henrich Manfred1, Marquardt Siegfried4, Drögemüller Cord2,
Lühken Gesine1.
1
Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany; 2Vetsuisse
University Bern, Bern, Switzerland; 3Animal Health Service, Bad
Sassendorf, Germany; 4Veterinary Practice Dres Marquardt and
Walter, Goch, Germany.
Objectives: Skin lesions and dermatoses in cattle are of-
ten associated with infections due to bacteria, fungi or envi-
ronmental risk factors. Dermatoses with genetic etiology have
also been described. Among these rare disorders, there are
primary congenital disorders (e.g. epidermolysis bullosa) and
dermatoses that are associated with inherited nutritional defi-
ciencies, such as bovine hereditary zinc deficiency or zinc-de-
ficiency-like syndrome. Our study presents cases with skin
lesions observed on a Holstein farm in the Midwest of Germa-
ny that resemble zinc deficiency-like syndrome. The origin of
all affected calves from a single sire and the same maternal
grand sire let us to assume a potential genetic etiology.
Materials and methods: Close clinical and pathological
examinations took place in two affected calves. Due to the
suspected genetic background, genome sequencing of the

two affected Holstein calves followed by single-nucleotide vari-
ant and small-indel variant calling were performed. Available
normal relatives of the two calves were genotyped by Sanger
sequencing for identified potential causative protein-changing
sequence variants.
Results: The two calves suffered from severe ulcerative
dermatitis with hyperkeratosis, alopecia furunculosis and sub-
cutaneous abscess formation. Blood analysis showed corre-
spondent leukocytosis with neutrophilia whereas minerals,
macro- and micronutrients were within the reference ranges.
Genetic analyses delivered 4111 homozygous private variants
including 23 protein-changing variants shared by both affected
animals. Comparison with the 1000 Bull Genomes variant cat-
alogue resulted in a single privately remaining protein-chang-
ing variant. This single-nucleotide deletion in exon 3 of IL17RA
on bovine chromosome 5 was predicted to have a deleterious
impact on the encoded protein due to a frameshift. Healthy
mothers of affected calves as well as some other relatives
were determined to be heterozygous for this mutation, con-
firming the assumed autosomal recessive inheritance.
Conclusions: A loss-of-function mutation of the IL17RA
transmembrane protein that binds with low affinity to interleu-
kin 17A could be identified as pathogenic variant for the psori-
asis-like skin alterations observed in the two affected Holstein
calves. In man, rare diseases associated with IL17RA include
immunodeficiency 51 and chronic mucocutaneous candidia-
sis. The frequency of the recessive defect allele in the German
(and global) Holstein population needs to be analyzed.
Keywords: Skin lesions, calves, genetics, immunodefi-
ciency.
GB-06
Temperature-humidity effect on rumination time and
activity in Holstein and crossbred Holstein x Jersey cows
Roberto Kappes, Deise Knob, Angelica Scheid, Bruna Mendes, Bruno
Barreta, Laiz Perazzoli, André Thaler Neto.
Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina, Lages, Brazil.
Table 1 – Mean values adjusted to the model ± standard deviation for different temperature-humidity indexes (THI) in different genetic groups
for rumination time and activity unit.
  Activity
THI classes H F1 R1
Safe 52,5±2,1n 59,0±3,8ln 58,0±9,2mn
Light 71,1±2,1km 80,6±3,8lj 77,8±9,3hjkl
Discomfort 86,1±2,1ghi 93,8±3,9dfgh 92,2±9,4efgi
Alert 101,9±2,1df 111,2±3,9bce 112,2±9,4cd
Danger 119,4±2,3bc 133,8±4,2a 128,3±9,7ab
*Different letters on the line represent significant difference (P <0.05).
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Genetics and Breeding
Objective: We aimed to compare temperature-humid-
ity effect on rumination time and activity in different genetic
groups of cows: Holstein, F1 Holstein x Jersey and R1 3/4Hol-
stein x Jersey.
Material and methods: We made the study at the dairy
cattle sector of Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias of Uni-
versidade do Estado de Santa Catarina during the period be-
tween September 2018 and August 2019. There were 22 mul-
tiparous lactating cows, 7 Holstein, 5 crossbred F1 (½Holstein
x Jersey) and 10 crossbred R1 (¾ Holstein x ¼ Jersey). Cows
were mechanically milked twice a day, at 7:00 and 15:00. After
milking the cows received concentrate in troughs separated by
individual contention feeders. Posteriorly, the cows had free
access to pasture with water ad libitum and available shadow
area, staying in the paddock until the next milking. Before the
study period, the cows were equipped with SCR by Allflex®
electronic monitoring collars aiming adaptation and indexing
in the software HealthyCow24 – SCR.
To evaluate environmental interference over the cows'
performance, we calculated the temperature-humidity index
(THI) using environmental temperature and relative humidity
through a Data Logger Akrom® model KR420, set to collect
data every one hour.
For analysis of variance, the highest THI of the day data
were used, and to evaluate THI effect on activity and rumina-
tion the mean was made every couple of hours. This mean
matches the time given by the individual rumination and ac-
tivity monitoring software. We used all the data for one year.
Six THI classes were created: safe (<68), light (68≤ < 72),
discomfort (72≤ <75), alert (75≤ <79), danger (79≤ <84) and
emergency (≥84), but we didn't observe the last one.
Data were submitted to ANOVA with repeated measures
over time, using the MIXED procedure of the SAS statistical
package, and the covariance structure was defined based on
the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC). Data were previously
tested for residue normality by the Kolmogorov-Smirnov Test.
For the evaluations of the effect of THI on rumination time
and activity at two-hour intervals, the statistical procedure
used was similar to the one described above. Significant dif-
ferences at the 5% and trend at 10% were considered.
Results:As shown in Table 1, activity unity was higher for
R1 crossbreds and lower for Holstein, these not differing from
crossbred F1 (0,0238). There was an increase in activity unity
as THI increased (0,0001).
  Rumination  
P value H F1 R1 P value
49,2±1,1ab 49,4±2,0ab 52,6±4,7a
41,8±1,1cd 42,4±2,1cd 45,4±4,9bc
<0,0001 31,6±1,2eg 31,9±2,2eg 34,0±5,1def 0,7249
21,5±1,2h 23,7±2,2fh 22,2±5,1ghi
13,9±1,4i 13,5±2,6i 15,6±5,5hi
167
ORAL — Genetics and Breeding
We also observed a lower rumination time for Holstein
(P=0,0002). While THI increases, rumination time decrease.
When compared inside the THI class, there is no difference
between genetic groups. There was no interaction between
genetic groups and THI classes. (P=0,7249).
As shown in Table 1, Holstein cows showed lower activity
unit in relation to R1 crosbreds, which did not differ from F1
crossbreds. We observed an interaction effect (<0,0001) be-
tween genetic group and THI classes for activity unity.
Conclusion: The highest THI negatively affects rumina-
tion time, increasing activity unity values. There is no inter-
action between genetic groups and THI on rumination time. It
seems that no tested genetic group is best suited for high THI
classes.
Keywords: Animal improvement, Heat stress.
GB-07
Conformation traits and Characteristics of Somatic Cells
Counting in Holstein Cattle in Brazil - A Multivariate
Approach
Angelica Scheid, Bruna Mendes, Rayllana Larsen, Luiz Schaitz,
Mauricio Civiero, Marciel França, Adriana Hauser, Deise Knob,
Roberto Kappes, Laiz Perazzoli, André Thaler Neto.
Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina, Lages, Brazil.
Objectives: Identify the linear type traits which together
affect the somatic cell count in Holstein cattle in Brazil.
Material and methods: We used recorded data from ap-
proximately 45,000 animals of the Holstein breed collected by
the Dairy Control Service and type assessment by the Brazil-
ian Association of Breeders of the Holstein Breed in the period
from 2000 to 2010.
For somatic cell count (SCC) the average of observations
from dairy controls was considered, and the data were con-
verted into somatic cell scores (SCS). For the type character-
istics (TYPE) the 21 characteristics were used.
Initially, genetic values ​​for cows and bulls were estimated
using the maximum likelihood method using the MTDFREML
software. By the Stepwise method of the REG procedure of
the SAS statistical package, the type characteristics that are
individually related to the SCS were previously selected. With
these characteristics, factor analysis was performed using the
FACTOR Procedure, using the genetic values ​​of all females
and bulls with more than five female calves. The factors that
together explained more than 70% of the accumulated var-
iance were maintained. In addition, 20 bulls with a greater
number of female calves were selected to submit the cluster
analysis using the tocher method, which grouped similar bulls
together.
Results: For cows’ genetic values (Table 1) it is observed
in the second factor that SCS presented opposite relation with
legs side view and intermediate genetic values relation for an-
terior udder insertion, anterior teat placemen and median lig-
ament. In the fourth factor the relationship between SCS and
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
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legs side view was positive, contrary to the average ligament
and genetic relationship of intermediate values for the others.
Table 1 - Factor loads and percentage of variance explained by
each factor referring to the genetic values of cows for SCS and
TYPE.
Variables Factor 1  Factor 2  Factor 3  Factor 4 
SCS and TYPE 
SCS  0,24244  -0,71914  0,35003  0,54411 
LSV  0,24445  0,70645  0,45605  0,46085 
AUI  0,53970  0,09939  -0,62496  0,39049 
ATP  0,71576  -0,04229  -0,19789  -0,25884 
ML  0,60600  -0,03582  0,46633  -0,44562 
VARIANCY%  25,79  20,58  19,55  18,53 
Somatic Cell Score (SCS), Legs Side View (LSV), Anterior
Udder Insertion (AUI), Anterior Teat Placement (ATP), Median
Ligament (ML).
For the genetic values of bulls (Table 2), in factor 3, the
ECS presented a contrary relationship to the legs side view
and a relationship with intermediate genetic values for the
other characteristics. In the fourth factor, this relationship was
positive between them and with intermediate genetic values
for the other characteristics.
Table - 2 Factor loads and percentage of the variance ex-
plained by each factor referring to the genetic values of bulls
with more than five female calves for SCS and TYPE.
Variables Factor 1  Factor 2  Factor 3  Factor 4 
SCS and TYPE 
SCS  0,11943  0,30507  -0.59546  0,73322 
LSV  0,29330  -0,01576  0,75114  0,56175 
AUI  0,60973  -0,60710  -0.11042  0,08902 
ATP  0,76077  0,02167  -0,20186  -0,29173 
ML  0,42002  0,76633  0,17072  -0,20157 
VARIANCY%  24,54  21,00  20,01  19,74 
Somatic Cell Score (SCS), Legs Side View (LSV), Anterior
Udder Insertion (AUI), Anterior Teat Placement (ATP), Median
Ligament (ML).
Table 3 shows that most of the highly selected bulls have
an intermediate value for SCS. However, there are bulls with
high genetic value for SCS, which can impair the genetic gain
in this trait. Among the improver bulls for SCS (negative genet-
ic value) was not observed a profile for TYPE.
 ORAL — Genetics and Breeding

cows (18 Holstein and 12 crossbred F1 Holstein x Simmental

Table 3 - Groups of bulls separated by the variance of their ge- cows) entered the study. Each cow entered the study 21 days
netic values for each trait resulting from the cluster analysis of
before the expected calving day (prepartum) and stayed in the
the 20 bulls with the largest number of female calves for SCS
and some trait characteristics. research group until day 21 after calving (postpartum).
Twice a day, the prepartum cows received a total mixed
SCS e TYPE  ration (TMR) based on maize silage and a commercial pre
lactation concentrate. The postpartum cows received a TMR
MEANS  based on maize silage, ryegrass (fresh and silage), and con-
centrates. Cows were mechanically milked 3 times a day, and
BULLS  SCS  LSV  AUI  ATO  ML  both genetic groups had an average daily milk yield of 29 kg.
After each milking, the postpartum cows had access to the
886; 391; feed parlour.
772; 452; The offered TMR and non-consumed feed of each cow
835; 478; were weighted to allow individual feed intake measurements.
631;
501; 427;
The TMR was offered ad libitum allowing 5-10% residuals.
1003; 250; Weekly, body weights and BCS of cows were recorded. The
376; 160; BCS evaluation was based on a scale between 1 (extremely
379;  0,016445  -0,09  0,476143  0,047143  0,422643  thin) and 5 (very fat). On the same day, blood was sampled
for the immediately performed BHB measurement using an
879; 798;  0,295323  -0,4875  0,4465  0,727  -0,2925  electronic handheld device (Precision Xtra meter, Abbott Di-
abetes Care). To obtain the daily rumination data, we used
1005; 34  -0,35184  0,3265  -0,3465  0,4985  1,1645  the data collected by the Heatime® (SCR/Allflex) system. The
data were analyzed by the MIXED procedure of the SAS (SAS
987;  -0,65471  0,006  -1,261  -0,286  -0,743  2002) statistical package. The model was composed of the
fixed effects genetic group, period (pre/post partum), and the
692; 0,932983  -0,393  -0,144  0,52  0,957  interaction between them.
Results: Holstein and crossbred Holstein x Simmental
SoAnterior Teat Placement (ATP), Median Ligament (ML). cows have a similar DMI (Table 1). There is a difference be-
tween pre and postpartum DMI with a higher value after calv-
ing, which represents about 6-7 kg/day. Both genetic groups
Conclusions: Selecting for intermediate genetic values of have similar BW, with an interaction between the genetic group
anterior udder insertion, anterior teat placement and middle and the transition period. Before calving, there was no differ-
ligament tends to decrease the somatic cell score. ence for BW between both genetic groups, while the difference
Keywords: Data bank, Genetic value. after calving reached 30 kg. The DMI % to body weight did not
differ between Holstein and Holstein x Simmental crossbred
cows. Even with similar DMI, crossbred cows have a better
BCS during the transition period than the purebred Holsteins.
This difference is highlighted in the postpartum period with 0.8
points advantage for the crossbred cows.
GB-08
The BHB values do not differ between the genetic groups.
Dry matter intake, body condition score and, beta- It seems that the genetic group does not affect BHB since both
hydroxybutyrate of Holstein and crossbred Holstein x genetic groups have similar milk yields and DMI. We just ob-
Simmental cows during the transition period served a difference for the period, with lower prepartum val-
ues.
Deise Knob1, Roberto Kappes1, Laiz Perazzoli1, Bruna Mendes1,
Dileta Alessio2, Wagner Bianchin3, Armin Scholz4, André Thaler Because of having similar DMI, there was no difference
Neto1. in rumination time between the genetic groups, as well as no
interaction between genetic group and period.
Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina, Lages, Brazil; 2Centro
1
Conclusions: Both genetic groups present a similar dry
Universitário Leonardo da Vinci, Indaial, Brazil; 3Instituto Federal
matter intake during the transition period, but the crossbred
Catarinense, Santa Rosa do Sul, Brazil; 4Ludwig Maximilians
cows are more efficient by showing a better BCS before and
Universität München, Munich, Germany.
after calving. The Holstein cows lose more BCS and body
weight after calving than the crossbred cows.
Objectives: We aimed at a comparison between purebred Acknowledgments: To the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoa-
Holstein and crossbred Holstein x Simmental cows for dry mento de Pessoal de Nível Superior – Brasil (CAPES) – Fi-
matter intake (DMI), body condition score (BCS), body weight nance Code 001.
(BW) and β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) during the transition peri-
Keywords: BHBA, BCS.
od.
Materials and Methods: The research was carried out in
a compost bedded pack barn confinement system in a com-
mercial dairy farm in South Brazil. A total of 30 multiparous

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ORAL — Genetics and Breeding

Table 1: Least Squares Mean ± mean squares error and P-value for Genetic Group (GG), transition period, and their interaction for the variables
dry matter intake (DMI), body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), rumination time (RT), and beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) for purebred
Holstein (H) and F1 Holstein x Simmental (H x S) crossbred cows.

Period P-Value
Variable GG
Prepartum Postpartum GG Period GG*Per

H 9.23±0.5 15.98±0.5
DMI(Kg/day) 0.5224 <0.0001 0.0412
HxS 9.32±0.6 16.44±0.6

H 1.33±0.10 2.40±0.07
DMI % of BW 0.3623 <0.0001 0.5425
HxS 1.16±0.14 2.36±0.10

H 3.58±0.11 2.95±0.10
BCS <0.0001 <0.0001 0.1287
HxS 4.13±0.15 3.74±0.13

H 744.7±17.5 632.3±17.1
BW(Kg) 0.5156 <0.0001 0.0379
HxS 750.3±21.8 661.9±21.2

H 0.77±0.12 1.26±0.10
BHB(mmol/l) 0.5226 0.0004 0.2610
HxS 0.79±0.16 1.04±0.13

H 478.7±14.5 552.0±14.1
RT(minutes/day) 0.4961 <0.0001 0.3003
HxS 471.4±18.4 529.7±17.4

GB-09
Milk yield and milk composition during the first three
weeks of the postpartum period of Holstein and crossbred
Holstein x Simmental cows
Deise Knob1, Armin Scholz2, Roberto Kappes1, Laiz Perazzoli1, Bruna
Mendes1, Wagner Bianchin3, Dileta Alessio4, André Thaler Neto1.
1
Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina, Lages, Brazil; 2Ludwig
Maximilians Universität, Munich, Germany; 3Instituto Federal
Catarinense, Santa Rosa do Sul, Brazil; 4Centro Universitário Leonardo
da Vinci, Indaial, Brazil.
Objectives: We aimed at comparing purebred Holstein
and crossbred Holstein x Simmental cows for milk yield (MY)
and composition during the first three weeks after calving.
Materials and Methods: The research was carried out in
a compost bedded pack barn confinement system on a com-
mercial dairy farm in South Brazil. A total of 30 multiparous
cows with 18 Holstein and 12 crossbred F1 Holstein x Sim-
mental cows entered the study. All cows with 3 or more parities
that calved within the experimental time entered the study. The
cows had a dry off period of 60 days before the expected day
of calving. Each cow entered the study 21 days before the
expected calving day (prepartum) and stayed in the research
group until day 21 after calving (postpartum). Both genetics
groups had a postpartum dry matter intake of around 16 kg/
day.
Cows were mechanically milked 3 times a day, and the in-
dividual MY was electronically recorded (DeLaval®). Individual
milk samples were taken every 7 days in 40-mL bottles con-
taining Bronopol® as a bactericidal preservative. Each sample
consisted of an average mixture of the 3 daily milkings and
was sent to the laboratory of milk analysis from the Universi-
dade do Estado de Santa Catarina, UDESC/Lages, SC, Brazil.
The samples were analyzed for milk composition by the infra-
red method with a DairySpec (Bentley®) equipment.
The data were analyzed by the MIXED procedure of the
SAS (SAS 2002) statistical package. The statistical model in-
cluded the fixed effects genetic group, week postpartum and
the interaction between them.
Results: Both genetic groups produced about 21 liters/
day at the calving day. Holstein cows and crossbred Holstein x
Simmental cows yielded similar amounts of milk. After calving,
the milk production increased quickly until reaching amounts
of around 34 liters/day at the third week postpartum (Table
1). Genetic groups did not differ in the protein and lactose
contents of the milk (Table 2). Yet for fat content, crossbred
Holstein x Simmental cows tend to produce milk with higher
percentages (P=0.0593) during the first 3 lactation weeks.
Table 1: Least squares means ± mean squares errors for milk yield
of purebred Holstein (H) and F1 Holstein x Simmental crossbred (H
x S) cows during the first three weeks after calving.
  Week H HxS
1 31.9563±1.618 28.814±2.0454
Milk Yield
2 33.8914±1.5786 32.1865±1.9954
(kg)
3 34.4867±1.6364 33.4118±2.0336

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 ORAL — Genetics and Breeding

maintaining stance, spending considerable amount of time in

Table 2: Least Squares Means (LSM) ± mean squares errors and
P-value for Genetic Group (GG), week, and their interaction for the recumbency and therefore are disabled to frequent access to
variables related to milk yield, energy corrected milk (ECM) and milk food. Although the disease has been known for decades, it
composition for purebred Holstein (H) and F1 Holstein x Simmental has not been possible so far to arrive to a definitive conclusion
crossbred (H x S) cows. about the pathogenesis and etiology. Italian Romagnola cattle
P-Value
show a concerning prevalence for BSP that was estimated of
Variable GG LSM 0.6% in 2002. As the occurrence of BSP is supposed to be
GG Week GG*Week genetically determined, we performed DNA-based molecular
genetic analyses to unravel the underlying genetics causing
Milk Yield H 30.51±1.43
0.4741 <0.0001 0.5006 this disorder in Romagnola cattle.
(Kg) H x S 28.83±1.81 Materials and methods: We collected EDTA blood sam-
H 38.19±1.48 ples of 35 affected animals ranging from 1 to 21 month-old
ECM* 0.4123 0.4044 0.7712 (median of 7 month-old). These 35 cases were clinically di-
H x S 35.90±2.30 agnosed with BSP severity grades ranging from 2 to 4 (medi-
H 3.99±0.13 an 3.5). A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was per-
Fat (%) 0.0593 0.0040 0.5161 formed using high-density 777k SNP arrray genotyping data
H x S 4.48±0.20 of the 35 BSP-affected and 32 controls. In addition, whole-ge-
H 3.31±0.07 nome sequencing (WGS) using the Illumina NovaSeq6000
Protein (%) 0.6316 0.0027 0.0807 was performed using DNA extracted of 6 BSP-affected Ro-
H x S 3.37±0.10 magnola cattle. The obtained sequence reads were mapped
H 4.57±0.03
to the ARS‐UCD1.2 bovine genome assembly.
Lactose (%) 0.8322 0.0009 0.3743 Results and Conclusions: Pedigree data of the col-
H x S 4.58±0.06
lected BSP-affected Romagnola was not indicating a simple
H 2.54±0.09 Mendelian inheritance. Preliminary GWAS results show no
Fat + Protein
(Kg)
0.5421 0.7828 0.8578 genome-wide significant association signal, although some
H x S 2.42±0.15 regions with suggestive hits could be identified. No shared sin-
gle-nucleotide variants (SNV) with predicted effect on the cod-
Conclusion: This study demonstrates that purebred Hol- ing sequence could be detected on the six sequenced cases
when compared with more than 500 control genomes of oth-
stein and crossbred Holstein x Simmental present similar milk
er unrelated breeds. These results indicate a more complex
yields and milk composition during the first three weeks of the
inheritance most likely due to regulatory mutations affecting
postpartum period.
several genes at different regions of the genome. Interesting-
Acknowledgments: This study was financed by the Co- ly, human hyperekplexia shows similar clinical signs to BSP
ordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior and it is supposed to be caused by mutations encoding glyc-
– Brasil (CAPES) – Finance Code 001. erin proteins supporting our hypothesis of a possible genetic
Keywords: Transition period, Lactation. cause. Apart animal welfare issues and the economic impact
in cattle production, BSP may therefore also constitute a mod-
el for comparative and translational medicine.
Keywords: "spastic paresis" "cattle" "Inherited diseases".

GB-10

Genetic analysis of juvenile spastic paresis in Romagnola

cattle
Joana G. P. Jacinto1, Irene M. Häfliger2, Anna Letko2, Cord
Drögemüller2, Arcangelo Gentile1.
1
Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna,
Ozzano dell’Emilia (Bologna), Italy; 2Institute of Genetics, Vetsuisse
Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
GB-11
Genetic parameters of sole lesion recovery in Holstein cows
Matthew Barden1, Alkiviadis Anagnostopoulos1, Bethany E.
Griffiths1, Bingjie Li2, Cherry Bedford1, Christopher Watson1,
Androniki Psifidi3, Georgios Banos2, Georgios Oikonomou1.
University of Liverpool, Neston, United Kingdom; 2SRUC, Edinburgh,
1

Objectives: Bovine spastic paresis (BSP) is a juvenile-on-
set neuromuscular disorder that affects males and females
occurring in various breeds of cattle. Clinically BSP is charac-
terized by overextension of the gastrocnemius muscle causing
a “straight hock” with an increase of the tibiotarsal angle of
one or both hind limbs. Signs of BSP usually appear at the
age of 3 to 8 months, although the disorder can be observed
also earlier or later in life. BSP is usually associated to retard-
ed growth, especially when animals experience difficulties in
United Kingdom; 3RVC, London, United Kingdom.
Objectives: Lameness in dairy cattle is primarily caused
by foot lesions (Murray et al., 1996). Two of the most prevalent
foot lesions are sole hemorrhage and sole ulcers (Cramer et
al., 2008). It is thought that sole hemorrhage and sole ulcers
represent different stages, or manifestations, of the same dis-
ease process (Lischer and Ossent, 2002); these lesions are
collectively referred to as sole lesions. The objective of this

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ORAL — Genetics and Breeding
study was to estimate the genetic parameters relating to how
well cows recover from such sole lesions.
Materials and Methods: A cohort of Holstein cattle were
prospectively enrolled on four farms and assessed at four time
points: pre-calving, immediately after calving, in early lactation,
and in late lactation. Foot lesions were recorded at claw-level
by veterinary surgeons at each time point, and used to define
two binary traits: i) sole lesion recovery - whether sole lesions
had improved between the early and late lactation time points,
and ii) susceptibility to sole lesions - whether animals were af-
fected with sole lesions during the study or remained unaffect-
ed at every assessment. Animals were genotyped and ped-
igree details extracted from the national database. Analysis
was conducted in BLUPF90 software following a single-step
approach; genetic parameters were estimated from threshold
animal models using Gibbs sampling. The genomic estimated
breeding values for both traits were calculated, and the cor-
relation between breeding values was assessed in animals
which had both phenotypes recorded.
Results: A total of 498 animals were used to estimate the
genetic parameters of sole lesion recovery, 71% of animals
had recovered between the early and late lactation assess-
ments. The heritability of sole lesion recovery, on the liability
scale, was 0.24 (95% highest density interval = 0.02 – 0.47).
A total of 2,025 animals were used to estimate the genetic pa-
rameters of sole lesion susceptibility, 43% of animals recorded
a sole lesion at least once during the study period. The herita-
bility of sole lesion susceptibility, on the liability scale, was 0.23
(95% highest density interval = 0.14 - 0.32). The correlation
between the genomic estimated breeding value for each trait
was 0.06 (95% confidence interval = -0.03 - 0.15).
Conclusion: Our results indicate that recovery from sole
lesions is a heritable trait, which suggests there is potential to
breed cows which can recover from these lesions more quickly,
although this finding should be corroborated in further studies.
As sole lesion recovery appears to have a negligible genetic
correlation with sole lesion susceptibility, genetic improvement
would require selection on this recovery trait directly.
References:
Cramer, G., K.D. Lissemore, C.L. Guard, K.E. Leslie, and
D.F. Kelton. 2008. Herd- and cow-level prevalence of foot
lesions in ontario dairy cattle. J. Dairy Sci. 91:3888–3895.
doi:10.3168/jds.2008-1135.
Lischer, C.J., and P. Ossent. 2002. Pathogenesis of sole
lesions attributed to laminitis in cattle. Page in Proceedings of
the 12th International Symposium of Lameness in Ruminants
International Conference on Lameness in Ruminants, Orlan-
do, FL, USA.
Murray, R.D., D.Y. Downham, M.J. Clarkson, W.B. Faull,
J.W. Hughes, F.J. Manson, J.B. Merritt, W.B. Russell, J.E.
Sutherst, and W.R. Ward. 1996. Epidemiology of lameness in
dairy cattle: Description and analysis of foot lesions. Vet. Rec.
138:586–591. doi:10.1136/vr.138.24.586.
Keywords: sole lesion recovery, lameness, genetics, ge-
nomics.
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GB-12
Novel insights into the genetics of schistosoma reflexum in
Holstein cattle
Joana Jacinto1, Irene Häfliger2, Markus Freick3, Jørgen Agerholm4,
Cord Drögemüller2.
1
Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna,
Ozzano Emilia, Italy; 2Institute of Genetics, Vetsuisse Faculty, University
of Bern, Bern, Switzerland; 3Faculty of Agriculture/Environment/
Chemistry, HTW Dresden-University of Applied Sciences, Dresden,
Germany; 4Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of
Copenhagen, Højbakkegaard Allé, Taastrup, Denmark.
Objectives:  Schistosoma reflexum (SR) is a lethal con-
genital syndrome in cattle characterized by U-shaped dorsal
retroflexion of the spine and eventration of the viscera. A re-
cessive mode of inheritance has been hypothesized but not
yet proven. The aim of this study was to identify genetic caus-
es of SR in a series of affected Holstein cattle by whole-ge-
nome sequencing (WGS).
Materials and Methods:  Genomic DNA was extracted
from ear cartilage of 10 SR affected Holstein calves, from
EDTA blood of their dams and from semen of their sires (10
trios; 30 samples). Genomic DNA extracted from ear cartilage
was available from additionally 9 SR affected Holstein calves.
Short-read WGS was performed in all 39 animals, including
the applied trio-approach for the 10 SR cases. The sequenced
reads were mapped to the ARS‐UCD1.2 reference genome
and single-nucleotide and small indel variants were called. In
order to identify private variants, the genotypes of the 19 SR
cases were compared with a global cohort of 5347 cattle ge-
nomes of various breeds, including 1209 purebred Holstein. In
silico tools were used to predict the biological consequences
of the detected variants. Candidate variants were visually in-
spected. The term candidate was used to describe variants
considering the affected gene function/associated phenotype,
rarity and the predicted impact of the variant in the protein.
In order to evaluate possible structural variants and chromo-
somal abnormalities the read depth along all chromosomes
was calculated using a sliding window approach with a size of
10 kb and 200 kb. These coverage plots were obtained for all
cases and available dams and sires.
Results: Assuming a recessive mode of inheritance, anal-
ysis of the WGS data reveled no single-nucleotide or small
indel variants common to all cases. Assuming a dominant de
novo event and therefore considering individually each case,
it was possible to identify candidate causal protein-chang-
ing variants for 10 out of 19 SR-cases involving 10 genes.
Particularly, by applying the trio-approach it was possible to
identify de novo candidate variants for 3 SR-cases that were
absent in both parents and in a global cohort of 5345 cattle
control genomes. The identified variants affected  MLLT1  (p.
Arg20Cys),  ACTL6A  (p.Met92fs), and  MAST3  (p.Pro1202fs)
genes. Furthermore, in 7 SR-cases without sequenced par-
ents it was possible to identify heterozygous, possible  de
novo, candidate variants that were absent in a global cohort
of 5347 cattle control genomes. The identified variants af-
fected the  ANO4  (p.Trp639Cys), MYH1 (p.Thr663Ala), DY-
NC1LI1  (p.Arg505Trp), UBP1 (p.Arg388Gly), SUGP1  (p.
Arg326Cys), SCAF8 (p.Val378fs)  and  SYT12  (p.Ser238Leu)

genes. All these 10 coding variants were predicted to be del-
eterious. It could be speculated that the identified variants oc-
curred either as a parental germline mutation or post-zygoti-
cally in the developing embryo. Furthermore, no evidence for
larger structural variants or chromosomal abnormalities were
detected by analyzing the obtained read depth and coverage
along all chromosomes.
Conclusions: The previously hypothesized simple reces-
sive inheritance for SR in Holstein cattle could not be con-
firmed. This study describes, for the first time, WGS findings for
SR and provides evidence of unexpected heterogenic causal-
ity for SR by spontaneous de novo mutations affecting differ-
ent genes. Herein, 10 protein-changing heterozygous variants
are proposed as potential cause for SR located in candidate
genes involved in embryonic and pre-weaning lethality thus
giving a genetic diagnosis for 53% of the cases. So far, in cat-
tle the efficiency of WGS for genetic diagnosis has not been
investigated; however, the obtained results are considerable
positive when compared with the efficiency of WGS-based ge-
netic diagnostics in humans. Moreover, the unsolved genetic
diagnosis for 9 cases might be explained 1) by limitations of
the cattle genome annotation and/or 2) by limitations of the
short-read WGS-approach. Sporadic lethal disorders such as
SR affecting negatively dam's fertility and health, welfare and
consequently economy in livestock are usually not diagnosed
to the molecular level, mainly because of the lack of resourc-
es and diagnostic tools. Therefore, this study highlights that
WGS-based precision diagnostics allows to better understand
sporadic disorders and supports the value of surveillance of
cattle breeding populations for harmful genetic disorders.
Keywords: Bovine, Dystocia, Congenital malformations,
Precision medicine, Whole-genome sequencing.
GB-13
Analysis of meat yield control at the CENSYRA test station
during the last 13 years
Andrés Domingo Montes, Gema Vara.
CENSYRA, Badajoz, Spain.
CENSYRA (Animal Selection and Reproduction Center)
aims towards conservation, improvement and development of
livestock breeds. CENSYRA collaborates with breeders' asso-
ciations, which are recognized by the official authorities for the
sole purpose of executing a breeding program for purebred
breeding animals registered in the breeding book, through dif-
ferent reproduction centers and test stations.
Beef recording is a basic tool for herd management as
well as for genetic evaluation and breeding. That is why the
breeders´ associations incorporate meat yield control within
their breeding programs. According ICAR (International Com-
mittee of Animal Recording) beef recording requires recording
schemes that can accommodate beef production as imple-
mented in practice and may be undertaken in breeding farms,
finishing farms, individual test stations, progeny test stations
or abattoirs.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Genetics and Breeding
The present research aims to analyze the meat yield data
at the CENSYRA test station during the last 13 years, (2007-
2019) taking three reference performance traits in two different
beef cattle breeds, and watching its evolution through time.
The research is based on the results of 710 calves belong-
ing to the Retinta (n=342) and Limousine (n=342) breeds. All
animals entered the Test station had an age between 8 or 10
months, and a live weight between 350 and 425 kg. The test
period duration was 112 days, with a previous phase to facil-
itate full adjustment to the station conditions (approximatly15
days).
The reference performance trait were:
• Chest girth circumference increase: Chest girth was
recorded using a measuring tape the first day in Test
station, and the 112 day.
• Average daily weigth gain is calculated as (FW-
SW)*1000 / (AF - AS), where AS be the age at test
start, expressed in days, AF be the age at test end,
expressed in days, SW be the live weight at test start,
expressed in kilograms, FW be the live weight at end of
test, expressed in kilograms. Average daily weigth gain
is expresed in grams per day.
• Feed efficiency: Efficiency of gain in beef production
can be defined as the ratio of nutrient input to beef out-
put. In this research, it is expressed as the kg of feed
consumed per kg of live weight gain.
The results of the study were that the Limousine calves
had better indexes of average daily weight gain and feed effi-
ciency, but the Retinta calves presented major average chest
girth circumference increases.
The Limousine breed average daily weight gain was
1407,17 gr. in the period from 2007 to 2019, while the aver-
age daily weight gain was 1573,89 gr. in the period 2012-2019
and 1709,38 gr. in 2019. This may mean that the evolution of
Limousine breed yields is positive. The feed efficiency also
improved throughout the study period. The average feed effi-
ciency was 5,85 kg. in the period from 2007 to 2019, while the
same trait was 4,96 in the period from 2012-2019, and 4,47
kg. in 2019.
The average chest girth circumference increase was 25,25
cm for Retinta breed calves, and 21,80 cm for Limousine
breed calves. The Retinta breed average daily weight gain
was 1307,68 gr. in the period from 2007 to 2019, and the av-
erage feed efficiency was 7,40 kg. in the same period. Unlike
Limousine, the meat yields Retinta breed remain stable over
the time. These data may be due to the fact that the Retinta
breed breeding program is oriented towards maternal produc-
tion, improving the characters of ease of delivery or weaning
weight, and keeping meat yields constant over the time.
The final conclusion is that breeding programs can be use-
ful for improving productive characters as in the beef cattle
breeds.
Keywords: beef cattle, beef recording, test station,
breeds, meat yield.
173
ORAL — Genetics and Breeding

GB-14 ble alcohol concentration previously to clots formation.

Different Temperature-Humidity Indexes on Milk Yield
and Composition; Somatic Cells Score and Stability to
Alcohol Test in Grazing Holstein and Crossbred Holstein
x Jersey Cows
Bruna Mendes, Roberto Kappes, Deise Knob, Angelica Scheid,
Izabelly Telles, Laiz Perazzoli, André Thaler Neto.
Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina, Lages, Brazil.
Objective: We aimed to compare genetic group and tem-
perature-humidity index classes for milk yield, composition,
somatic cells score and stability to the alcohol test.
Material and methods: We executed the study at the
dairy cattle sector of Universidade do Estado de Santa Cata-
rina (Lages, SC, Brazil) between September 2018 and August
2019. We used 22 multiparous lactating cows, 7 Holstein, 5
crossbred F1 (½Holstein x Jersey) and 10 crossbred R1 (¾
Holstein x ¼ Jersey). Cows were mechanically milked two
times a day. After milking, cows received concentrate individ-
ually, after, they had access to grazing area. Cows had ad
libitum access to water and available shadow area.
Weekly the individual daily milk yield was determined us-
ing Waikato® milk meters and milk samples were collected,
obtaining a day compound sample. Part of this sample was
transferred to a 40ml flask containing Bronopol® for analysis
of milk composition by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry
on DairySpec® (Bentley Instruments). Every two weeks we
sent the samples to a laboratory of the Brazilian Milk Quality
Network for somatic cells counting (SCC). SCC was trans-
formed into somatic cells score (SCS). The milk samples were
also analysed for stability to alcohol test, adding 2ml of milk
and 2ml of alcohol in a Petri plate, considering the sample sta-
To evaluate environmental interference over the cows'
performance, we calculated the temperature-humidity index
(THI) using air temperature (AT) and relative air humidity (AH)
through a Data Logger Akrom® model KR420, set to collect
data every one hour. The THI was estimated as THI = (0,8 x
AT + (AH/100) x (AT- 14,4) + 46,4).
The highest THI of the day were used to perform six THI
classes: safe (<68), light (68≤ < 72), discomfort (72≤ <75),
alert (75≤ <79), danger (79≤ <84) and emergency (≥84), the
last one did not occur.
Data were submitted to ANOVA with repeated measures,
using the MIXED procedure of the SAS statistical package,
previously tested for residue normality. The model was com-
posed by the variables genetic group, parity, days in milk, THI
class and interactions between the variables.
Results: There was no difference in milk (P=0,5337) and
energy corrected milk yield (P=0,2126) for Holstein, crossbred
F1 and R1, respectively (Table 1), but crossbred cows showed
higher fat and total solids content (<0,0001). Concerning pro-
tein contents, F1 crossbreds showed higher values, intermedi-
ate for R1 and lower for Holstein (<0,0001). Lactose contents
were lower for F1 ones (0,0233).
We observed a reduction in milk yield and energy corrected
milk (2,32 and 3,54kg/day, respectively) comparing THI class-
es safe and danger, as well as for milk components content.
F1 crossbred cows had higher SCS (0,002) in relation to
the other genetic groups, not differing with THI classes in-
creased levels (P=0,2627).
Lower milk stability to the alcohol test was observed in
crossbred cows group (0,0001), as well as when THI grew
(<0,0001).

Table 1: Mean values adjusted to the model ± standard deviation for different temperature-humidity indexes (THI) classes and
different genetic groups for milk yield, energy corrected milk (ECM), fat, protein, lactose and total solids content, fat and protein
yield, somatic cells score (SCS) and stability to the alcohol test.
  Genetic group THI

  H F1 R1 Safe Light Discomfort Alert Danger

Milk (litre/
day) 25,44±0,53 24,49±0,72 25,37±0,41 26,60±0,45a 24,76±0,51b 24,97±0,75ab 24,87±0,62b 24,28±0,91b

ECM 26,90±0,60 27,93±0,83 28,19±0,47 29,92±0,52a 27,30±0,59b 27,47±0,85b 27,32±0,71b 26,38±1,04b

Fat (%) 3,75±0,05b 4,21±0,07a 4,07±0,04a 4,14±0,04a 4,01±0,05ab 3,94±0,07b 4,00±0,06ab 3,95±0,09ab

Protein
(%) 3,25±0,02c 3,55±0,03a 3,43±0,01b 3,47±0,02a 3,41±0,02b 3,45±0,03ab 3,42±0,02ab 3,30±0,04c

Lactose
(%) 4,67±0,02a 4,57±0,02b 4,67±0,01a 4,69±0,01a 4,67±0,02ab 4,68±0,03ab 4,57±0,02c 4,59±0,03bc

Total
solids (%) 12,47±0,06b 13,14±0,09a 12,99±0,05a 13,16±0,05a 12,89±0,06b 12,87±0,09bc 12,81±0,08bc 12,62±0,11c

Fat (kg/
day) 0,95±0,02b 1,02±0,03ab 1,03±0,02a 1,09±0,02a 0,98±0,02b 0,98±0,03b 0,98±0,03b 0,95±0,04b

Protein
(kg/day) 0,81±0,01 0,86±0,02 0,85±0,01 0,91±0,01a 0,83±0,01b 0,84±0,02b 0,83±0,02b 0,78±0,02b

SCS 3,01±0,31b 5,11±0,39a 2,93±0,21b 3,56±0,22 4,06±0,29 3,15±0,54 4,14±0,29 3,50±0,48

Alcohol 79,16±0,38a 75,74±0,53b 76,87±0,30b 78,60±0,32a 78,49±0,37ab 77,28±0,54bc 76,82±0,45c 75,11±0,68d

* Different lowercase letters on the line differ by Tukey's test for genetic grouping and uppercase letters for THI classes (P <0.05).
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
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 ORAL — Genetics and Breeding

Conclusions: We concluded that crossbred cows have
a productive performance similar to pure Holstein cows, with
higher solid contents and lower stability to the alcohol test.
The higher temperature-humidity index values affect nega-
tively milk yield and physicochemical quality.
Keywords: Milk quality, Heat stress.
GB-15
variance. In addition, 20 bulls with a greater number of female
calves were selected for whom a cluster analysis was carried
out using the tocher method, which grouped similar bulls to-
gether.
Results: In the factor analysis with genetic values of cows,
two factors explained 70% of the accumulated variance (Table
1). This analysis demonstrates the importance of selecting a
low genetic value for ECS, since it showed negative relation-
ships with milk yield, without however showing a relationship
with longevity.

Relationship Between Longevity, Milk Yield and Somatic
Cell Count in Holstein Cattle in Brazil - A Multivariate
Approach
Angelica Scheid, Bruna Mendes, Rayllana Larsen, Luiz Schaitz,
Mauricio Civiero, Marciel França, Adriana Hauser, Deise Knob,
Roberto Kappes, Laiz Perazzoli, André Thaler Neto.
Table 1 - Factor loads and percentage of variance explained
by each factor referring to the genetic values of cows for
LIFE_Y and TYPE.
Variables  Factor 1  Factor 2 
SCS e LIFE_Y e MY 
SCS  -0,73701  0,07377 

Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina, Lages, Brazil. MY  0,73859  0,03426 

LONG_P  0,02916  0,99692 

Objective: To determine the joint relationship between
milk yield, longevity and somatic cell count in Holstein cattle
in Brazil.
Material and methods: Data from approximately 45,000
Holstein animals collected by the Brazilian Association of
Breeders of the Holstein Breed Dairy Control Service from
2000 to 2010 were used.
As a longevity indicator, lifetime milk yield (LIFE_Y) was
considered, and cows that were still alive at the time of the
analysis were excluded from the data set because it is not
known how long they will be alive. We estimated milk yield
(MY) from individual milk control data. For somatic cell count
(SCC) the average of observations from dairy controls was
considered, being converted to somatic cell score (SCS). To
estimate genetic values ​​of cows and bulls, groups of contem-
poraries were created based on herd, month and year of calv-
ing for MY and SCS. In addition, animals that LIFE_Y, MY or
SCS that were beyond the average were more or less two
standard deviations. The genetic values ​​for cows and bulls
were estimated using the maximum likelihood method, using
the MTDFREML software.
Based on the estimated genetic values, a factor analysis
was performed using the FACTOR Procedure, using the ge-
netic values ​​of all females in the database, and of the bulls
with records of more than five daughters, maintaining the fac-
tors that explained more together. 70% of the accumulated
VARIANCE%  36,92  33,39 
* Somatic cells score (SCS), Lifetime milk yield (LIFE_Y) and
Milk yield (MY).
In the factorial analysis for SCS and LIFE_Y and MY with
genetic values of bulls, 2 factors were formed, which explained
more than 70% of the variance (Table 2). In the first factor,
SCS showed a contrary relationship with LIFE_Y and MY. In
the second factor, LIIFE_Y presented a relationship contrary
to milk production and a relationship with an intermediate val-
ue of SCS.
Table 2 - Factor loads and percentage of the variance explained
by each factor referring to the genetic values of bulls with more
than five daughters for LIFE_Y and TYPE.
Variables Factor 1  Factor 2 
SCS e LIFE_Y and MY 
SCS  -0,72612  0,01310 
MY  0,53537  0,73042 
LIFE_Y  0,57067  -0,66856 
VARIANCY%  37,98  32,98 

Table 3 - Groups of bulls separated by the variance of their genetic values for each trait resulting from the cluster analysis of the 20 bulls with
the largest number of daughters for SCS, LIFE_Y, MY.
SCS, LIFE_Y and MY 
ME
BULLS  SCS  LIFE_Y  MY 
1005; 452;886; 391; 1003; 771; 160; 427; 269;
501; 798; 250; 376; 987; 879; 379; 835;  0.028127  -0.17866  0.775123 
692;  5.692925  -0.72717  -0.38632 
282;  -0.06507  2.700032  2.168856 
478;  0.000925  -0.05445  8.098696 

31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID

175
ORAL — Genetics and Breeding

Somatic cells score (SCS),  Lifetime milk yield (LIFE_Y)
and Milk yield (MY).
Through cluster analysis, it is observed that most of the
selected bulls have an estimated intermediate genetic value
for ECS. Bulls with higher genetic value for milk yield tend to
have less genetic value for ECS and vice versa (Table 3). The
analysis also shows that most of the bulls most used in Brazil
in this period (2000-2010) were not selected for longevity.
Somatic cells score (SCS),  Lifetime milk yield (LIFE_Y)
and Milk yield (MY).
Conclusions: The selection for the lowest somatic cell
score tends to increase, in the progeny, the genetic value for
milk production and productive longevity.
Keywords: Data bank, Genetic value.
Analysis was repeated ten times to allow for later calculation
of a coefficient of variation.
Results: A full analysis of the data is yet to be obtained
however, the raw data indicates there is a repeatable corre-
lation between the Androvision and iSperm when assessing
progressive motility & concentration of fresh bull ejaculates.
Conclusion: Similar studies in other species have validat-
ed the use of a portable semen motility assessment device
such as iSperm, allowing for assessment of semen in the field
and removing assessor bias and environmental factors.
Keywords: bull, fertility, semen analysis.

GB-16

Comparison of bull semen motility using a portable semen

analysis device and computer-assisted sperm analyser
Kate Mitchell1, David Beggs2, Peter Mansell2.
1
University of Melbourne/Scottsdale Veterinary Services, Scottsdale,
Tasmania, Australia; 2University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.

Objective: Bull breeding soundness evaluations (BBSEs)

in Australia include a physical exam, scrotal circumference
measurement, crush-side semen motility evaluation and of-
ten remote assessment of sperm morphology to provide a
comprehensive assessment of a bulls’ fertility and risk. The
crush-side motility component of the examination typically in-
volves the use of a microscope with a heated stage, requiring
a large amount of space and power. The semen is assessed
for progressive motility and an estimate is provided based on
the forward movement of sperm observed by the practitioner.
The crush-side assessment of sperm motility is relatively sub-
jective and can be influenced by the experience of the practi-
tioner, environmental temperature, concentration of the semen
and the volume assessed. Previously developed for swine, the
use of iPad-based sperm motility analysers has been devel-
oped to include most species of production animals including
cattle.
The objective of this study was to compare the motility of
fresh bull semen using a portable iPad-based semen motility
analyser (iSperm) and a computer assisted sperm analyser
(Androvision - Minitube).
Material & Methods: Semen was collected from three dif-
ferent proven stud bulls at a commercial bull collection facility,
extended using Andromed (Minitube) extender and chilled.
The ejaculates were transported to the semen laboratory the
following day for assessment using the iSperm and Androvi-
sion system. The ejaculates were diluted and assessed si-
multaneously by the Androvision and iSperm for motility and
concentration. The motility of the ejaculates was altered us-
ing additions of flash frozen dead sperm to allow for a greater
scope of motilities to be assessed by the two devices. The
motility, progressive motility and concentration were recorded.

31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID

176
 ORAL — Herd Health Management, Smart Farming and Economics
HH-01
Controlled trial of the effect of negative dietary cation-
anion difference on postpartum health and culling of dairy
cows
Rita Couto Serrenho1, Tony C. Bruinje1, Emma Morrison1, Trevor
Devries2, Todd Duffield1, Stephen Leblanc1.
Univ of Guelph - OVC - Population Medicine Department, Guelph,
1
Canada; 2Univ of Guelph - Animal Biosciences, Guelph, Canada.
Objective: Negative Dietary Cation-Anion Difference
(DCAD) diets fed during the prepartum period enhance calci-
um metabolism. Hypocalcemia influences neutrophil function
and both are risk factors for clinical disease in the transition
period of dairy cows.
The objective of this study was to assess the effects of a
negative dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD) dry cow diet
on postpartum health and culling.
Material and Methods: Cows from 4 commercial dairy
farms in Ontario, Canada were enrolled in a randomized con-
trolled trial from November 2017 to April 2019. Close-up pens
(1 per farm) with cows 3 wk before expected calving were
randomly assigned to a negative DCAD (TRT; -100 mEq/kg
DM; target urine pH 6.0–6.5) or a control diet (CON; +95 mEq/
kg DM with a placebo supplement). Each pen was fed TRT
or CON for 3 months (one period) then switched to the other
treatment for the next period, with 4 periods per farm. Body
condition score (BCS) was measured at enrollment and urine
pH was measured weekly until calving. Data from 1086 ani-
mals (TRT: n = 681; CON: n = 405) that received the assigned
diet for > 2 wk were included. The incidence of milk fever
(MF), retained placenta (RP), metritis, ketosis (blood BHB >
1.2 mmol/L, measured weekly in wk 1 and 2), clinical mastitis
< 30 DIM (CM), displaced abomasum (DA), purulent vaginal
discharge (PVD, assessed once at wk 5), ≥ 1 disease (DIS)
or culling by 35 DIM were analyzed with logistic regression
models with treatment, parity, BCS, and their interactions, ac-
counting for pen-level randomization and clustering of animals
within farm with random effects. There were no interactions of
treatment with parity or BCS for any outcome. There were only
43 cases of MF, allowing only univariable analysis.
In a subset of 38 multiparous cows, blood was collected at
-1wk, day 1 and 4 for assessment of: neutrophil phagocytosis
(P) and oxidative burst (OB); ionized calcium (VetStat) and to-
tal calcium. Median fluorescence intensity for P and OB, and
the shift of percentage of cells active for P and OB were mea-
sured with flow cytometry. Values represent stimulated cells
minus unstimulated aliquot of the same sample.
Results: The incidence of MF was 5 ± 3% in CON and 1 ±
1% in TRT (P = 0.18). There were no treatment effects (CON
vs TRT, LSM ± SE) on RP (7 ± 3%; 6 ± 2%; P = 0.71), metritis
(11 vs 12%; SE = 4; P = 0.83), ketosis (21 vs 23%; SE = 4;
P = 0.59, PVD (13 vs 12%; SE = 3; P = 0.51), or DIS (44 vs
41%; SE = 7; P = 0.41). Cows fed TRT had lesser incidence of
CM (4 vs 2%; SE = 1, P = 0.09) and DA (3 vs 1%; SE = 1, P =
0.05). Culling < 35 DIM tended to be greater in CON (7 ± 2%)
than TRT (5 ± 1%, P = 0.11).
There were no differences between treatment groups in
the 4 neutrophil function outcomes (P > 0.25). Correlations of
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
iCa or tCa with each of the PMN function outcomes were weak
(r < |0.3|).
Conclusion: Contrary to our hypothesis, feeding a neg-
ative DCAD diet for 3 wk before calving did not improve neu-
trophil phagocytosis or oxidative burst activity. However, un-
der commercial herd conditions, a negative DCAD fed 3 wk
before parturition improved some but not all health outcomes
assessed.
Keywords: Transition cow, nutrition, diseases, neutrophil
function.
HH-02
An outbreak of acute respiratory disease in an adult daiy
herd due to dust inhalation
Richard Sibley.
West Ridge Veterinary Practice, Witheridge, United Kingdom.
Objectives: This clinical study describes an outbreak of
respiratory disease in an adult dairy herd comprising 850 milk-
ing cows. The affected animals responded poorly to treatment
and so the focus was to identify the cause and prevent new
cases.
Materials and Methods: 28 adult dairy cows were se-
verely affected with respiratory disease over a period of six
months. Thos that were clinically affected had a poor prog-
nosis. Many others in the herd had intermittent mild signs of
respiratory distress. Clinical signs included an afebrile pneu-
monia, with severe dyspnoea and respiratory distress in the
worst affected cases. The response to treatment with antibiot-
ics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and corticosteroids
was poor. Most affected animals either died or had to be euth-
anized. Those that survived had poor productivity with chronic
respiratory signs and were culled.
Four animals that had died soon after first clinical signs,
or were sacrificed, were examined post mortem, with blood
samples taken from five other affected animals to investigate
the involvement of respiratory pathogens.
Results: Post mortem examinations and clinical pathol-
ogy did not identify any involvement of bovine herpes virus,
respiratory syncytial virus, mycoplasma bovis, or any other
common respiratory pathogens that are considered potential
causes of respiratory disease in adult cattle. The post mor-
tem examinations and histopathology suggested an allergic
or hypersensitivity reaction to an environmental exposure to
an allergenic or irritable substance. Investigations at the farm
discovered the use of a fine dust derived from Medium Den-
sity Fibre Board (MDF) as a bedding material, spread by a
mechanical spreader each day in the cow housing. This dust
was inevitably inhaled by some cattle present in the shed at
the time of spreading.
Conclusions: The use of fine wood dust as a bedding
material in a poorly ventilated environment can predispose to
acute respiratory disease due to the inhalation of the dust and
a hyersensitivity reaction in the respiratory tract. Recovered
177
ORAL — Herd Health Management, Smart Farming and Economics
cases become affected by chronic obstructive pulmonary dis-
ease and have markedly reduced productivity. The use of such
bedding materials should be with extreme care.
Keywords: Pneumonia, respiratory disease, dyspnoea.
HH-03
The association of cough and other clinical signs with
ultrasonographic lung consolidation: differences between
dairy, veal and beef calves
Thomas Lowie1, Katharina Van Leenen2, Stan Jourquin1, Mathilde
Pas1, Jade Bokma1, Bart Pardon1.
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine - Ghent University, Merelbeke,
1 and eye discharge (Acc: 59.1%) were significantly associated.
Belgium; 2Faculty of Veterinary Medicine - Utrecht University, Utrecht,
Netherlands.
Background: Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) remains a
leading cause of economic losses, hampered animal welfare
and intensive antimicrobial use in the cattle sector. The latter
contributes to public concerns and awareness about the de-
velopment of antimicrobial resistance. To reduce antimicrobial
use without risking economic losses or compromising animal
welfare, it appears rational to limit antimicrobial treatment to
calves with pneumonia, while withholding this treatment for
just an upper respiratory tract infection at first instance. A true
gamechanger in recent years is the use of thoracic ultraso-
nography (TUS) on farm, which was evidenced to be the most
accurate diagnostic test for pneumonia in calves. Despite that
rapid ultrasound techniques have been developed to better
meet practitioners demands, continuously scanning all ani-
mals is practically and economically impossible. Therefore,
the need for the development of early warning systems based
on clinical signs, to timely detect animals with pneumonia is
ever growing. However, a wide variety of definitions, based
on clinical signs, to identify cattle with respiratory disease
requiring antimicrobial treatment have been used in science
and practice. Also, current scoring systems can be quite time
consuming, whereas it is not known whether it is necessary to
score all signs. Available scoring systems were developed and
tested almost exclusively in pre-weaned dairy calves. There-
fore, the question arises which clinical signs are associated
with ultrasound confirmed pneumonia and whether the same
clinical signs can be used postweaning or in other breeds or
different production systems.
Objectives: To identify which clinical signs are associated
with ultrasonographic lung consolidation (≥1 cm) in different
breeds, production types (dairy, beef and dairy-mixed), and
pre- and post- weaning. To identify how well individual clini-
cal signs performed in the detection of ultrasound confirmed
pneumonia compared to BRD clinical scoring cards in a new
dataset.
Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was con-
ducted in the northern part of Belgium (Flanders) between
2016-2019. 956 untreated calves (70% Holstein-Friesian
dairy and 30% Belgian Blue) from 84 herds were convenient-
ly selected. At enrollment, all calves were clinically examined
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
178
using 24 parameters, scored using the Wisconsin and Davis
BRD clinical scoring card and subjected to TUS. Associa-
tions between clinical signs and pneumonia were determined
using a generalized linear mixed model. Herd was added as
random factor to take clustering of calves within a herd into
account.
Results: Cough, both spontaneous and/or induced cough,
was the only and best performing clinical sign, significantly as-
sociated with lung consolidation in all production types. Fever
(≥39.4°C) was the second most promising factor, being signif-
icant in beef and veal calves, but not in dairy calves. At last,
respiratory rate (≥43 bpm), eye and nasal discharge were only
of significance in veal calves. However, across the complete
dataset spontaneous cough (Acc (Accuracy): 65.1%), induced
cough (Tracheal reflex Acc: 61.1%, Larynx reflex Acc: 58.1%),
rectal temperature (Acc: 61%), breathing rate (Acc: 61.3%)
Postweaning, none of the clinical signs studied were associat-
ed with pneumonia, with the exception of cough in dairy calves.
Further, cough as a single clinical sign outperformed any com-
bination of clinical signs, including the Wisconsin (Acc: 62.8%)
and Davis (Acc: 61.5%) respiratory disease scoring systems,
but sensitivity remained low.
Conclusion: Cough outperformed existing scoring sys-
tems based on multiple parameters, but still had too low accu-
racy to be useful for decision making regarding antimicrobial
treatment. Based on the present study, cough is best regarded
as a group level warning that the respiratory tract reacts on
pathogens, environmental factors or their combination. Rather
than using clinical signs, TUS remains absolutely necessary to
responsibly use antimicrobials, avoiding treatment of animals
with only an upper respiratory tract infection. Next to cough,
rectal temperature and breathing rate are the most promis-
ing clinical signs for further exploring in continuous monitor-
ing systems for pneumonia detection in calves. Given that the
association of clinical signs with ultrasonographic pneumonia
differed between production systems, breeds, and weaning
status, validation of a scoring system in each breed, age cate-
gory and housing system is recommended.
Keywords: Bovine respiratory disease, pneumonia, score-
cards, predictive monitoring, thoracic ultrasound.
HH-04
Follow up of persistent pneumonia in a dairy cattle
herd using quick thoracic ultrasound (qTUS) and non-
endoscopic bronchoalveolar lavage (nBAL)
Laurens Chantillon, Stan Jourquin, Wouter Van Mol, Mathilde L. Pas,
Jade Bokma, Bart Pardon.
Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population
Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent,
Belgium.
Objective: Every calf experiences respiratory tract infec-
tions. Generally, this will not severely affect the young animal
unless the infection develops into a pneumonia. Pneumonia
affects growth, production, mortality, welfare, antimicrobial
use and fertility, making it one of the most important economic
 ORAL — Herd Health Management, Smart Farming and Economics
diseases in cattle farming. Despite years of research and sub-
stantial efforts, still many herds face unsatisfactory results of
preventative and therapeutic approaches.
The objective of this study was to describe an approach
of individualized antimicrobial treatment using quick thoracic
ultrasonography (qTUS) and diagnostics on non-endoscopic
broncho-alveolar lavage (nBAL) samples in combination with
targeted biosecurity measures in a large dairy herd with per-
sistent pneumonia.
Materials and method: A 700 head dairy farm, with
around 150 female calves aged under 4-5 months requested
a herd visit for reasons of persistent cough and calf mortali-
ty since 2016. The herd relied on metaphylactic antimicrobial
therapy with tulathromycin at first grouping for years. Vaccina-
tion against bovine parainfluenza type 3, bovine respiratory
syncytial virus and bovine herpesvirus 1 was conducted. The
planned approach consisted of a problem herd analysis in-
vestigation, followed by a series of follow-up visits. qTUS was
performed with a linear 7.5 MHz probe, using 70% isopropyl
alcohol solution as transducer agent. Calves with consolida-
tions <1 cm were classified as healthy, between 1 cm and <3
cm were classified as mild pneumonia and consolidations ≥3
cm as severe pneumonia. Failure of passive transfer was as-
sessed through total protein refractometry in calves less than
one week old. Also, during the first and two other follow-up
visits, five bronchoalveolar lavages (BAL) were taken from
pneumonic animals. BAL fluid was cultured on blood agar and
modified pleuropneumonia-like organism (PPLO) agar. Whole
genome sequencing (WGS) with nanopore sequencing was
performed on a pooled sample to identify all pathogens related
to BRD. A Mycoplasma bovis PCR was done on a bulk tank
milk sample.
Results: During the first visit, 56% of the calves were di-
agnosed with severe pneumonia and 10% with mild pneumo-
nia. On aerobic culture Trueperella pyogenes was isolated and
four PPLO agars tested positive for Mycoplasma bovis. WGS
identified M. bovis and Bovine adenovirus. The genome of M.
bovis was fully sequenced for known mutations previously as-
sociated with antimicrobial resistance and strain typing. Resis-
tance against the macrolide tilmicosin was identified and the
strain belonged to the Belgian genomic cluster V. Eight calves
were evaluated for FPT and all had adequate antibody levels.
Bulk tank milk PCR for M. bovis was negative.
Pneumonic animals were based on their age, either treat-
ed with oxytetracycline (age <6 weeks) or florfenicol (age ≥6
weeks). Treatments were carried out by the owner after thor-
oughly discussing the treatment plan after every visit with the
veterinarian. To what considers biosecurity, individual housing
pens and group pens were adjusted to avoid contact between
pens. Calves were only grouped after a negative lung ultra-
sonography. Calves with unresponsive pneumonia were not
commingled with healthy groups.
A total of 8 visits was needed, and at the end of the in-
tervention 17% (22) and 18% (23) of the present calves re-
mained with mild and severe pneumonia. A total of 71 new
cases occurred in the follow-up period. Cure rate of the initial
pneumonia cases was 15% while new cases cure rate was
57%. A year after the first follow-up, the average age at first
calving, reduced from 24.7 months before the intervention to
23.5 months in the qTUS monitored group.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
Conclusion: Severity of the pneumonia was greatly un-
derestimated in this farm, partly because of the subclinical
manifestation. The pathogen oriented approach, in this case
based on the primary pathogen Mycoplasma bovis, consist-
ed of both targeted biosecurity as tailored individual treatment
based on susceptibility testing. The presented approach, us-
ing nBAL diagnostics to target treatment and prevention, and
qTUS to personalize treatment and follow-up resulted in a sig-
nificant decline in pneumonia prevalence in the calves. Cure
rates were fair in animals, early detected by qTUS, whereas
they remained disappointing in chronically affected animals.
Hence, continuous qTUS follow-up remains necessary in M.
bovis infected herds to assure early detection and effective
treatment, given the predominance of subclinical pneumonia.
Keywords: Mycoplasma bovis, pathogen oriented ap-
proach, individualized treatment, biosecurity.
HH-05
Evaluation of umbilical involution in Holstein-Friesian
calves after different treatments post natum
Theresa Maria Scheu1, Dorothée Lang2, Imke Cohrs1, Christian
Koch1, Axel Wehrend2.
1
Educational and Research Centre for Animal Husbandry, Hofgut
Neumuehle, Münchweiler an der Alsenz, Germany; 2Clinic for
Obstetrics, Gynecology and Andrology with Veterinary Ambulance,
JLU Giessen, Giessen, Germany.
Objectives: An infection of the umbilical region, togeth-
er with neonatal diarrhea and pneumonia, is one of the most
common diseases in preweaning calves. The prevalence var-
ies between 2% to 30% (Hathaway et al.,1993; Svensson et
al., 2003). Disinfection of the umbilicus immediately after birth
can decrease the risk of umbilical infections. Besides the ap-
proved and established disinfection solutions such as iodine,
new products are being used hoping that they will lower in-
fection rates. The aim of this study was to compare umbilical
involution after the umbilicus treatment with iodine (J: Vet-Sept
10%; aniMedica GmbH, 48308 Senden-Bösensell, Germany)
or Engemycin-Spray (E; active ingredient: Oxytetracyclinhy-
drochloride 25mg/ml; Intervet Productions S.r.l., Aprilia (LT),
Italy) to an untreated group (U) of calves.
Materials and Methods: The study was done in 127
calves (n = 70 female; n = 57 male) at the Educational and
Research Centre for Animal Husbandry, Hofgut Neumuehle,
Münchweiler an der Alsenz, Germany. Animals were random-
ized to one of three groups by draw and were treated within
one hour after birth. The assessment (including the degree
of drying) and measurements of the umbilical structures (in-
cluding circumference of the skin umbilicus and length of the
umbilical cord) were done immediately after birth (<1h) and on
day 1, 3 and 7 after birth. After day 7 the assessments were
done once per week up to 10 weeks (n = 70 female; n = 33
male; n = 27 males were sold 14 days after birth). The calves
were kept in single hutches for the first 14 days and in groups
of 10 animals afterwards.
179
ORAL — Herd Health Management, Smart Farming and Economics
Results: The circumference of the skin umbilicus imme-
diately after birth was unrelated to gender in all three groups:
J: n = 43; 10.8 + 2.0 cm; E: n = 42; 10.9 + 2.1 cm; U: n = 42;
10.3 + 2.0 cm. Subsequently there was a significant reduction
in circumference in all three groups (p < 0.0001), but there was
no difference between groups (J: n = 19; 8.8 + 0.6 cm; E: n =
17; 9.9 + 0.7 cm; U: n = 24; 9.1 + 1.4 cm). The umbilical cord
dried up during the first day after birth in 11 animals in group J,
7 in group E, and 8 in group U. By day 7 this number increased
to 38 (88.4%), 32 (76.2%), and 39 (92.9%), respectively. The
umbilical cord fell off after 3.0 + 1.9 weeks (Group J), 3.3 +
1.5 weeks (Group E), and 3.3 + 1.7 weeks (Group U). None
of the animals showed any sign of umbilical infection at any
point in time.
Conclusions: This study did not show a difference be-
tween the two treatments compared to an untreated group.
Based on this, it seems that other factors such as housing
system or dryness of bedding have a higher impact on infec-
tion rates. The use of antimicrobial agents for treatment of the
umbilicus immediately after birth also needs to be seen criti-
cally in the light of antibiotic minimization goals and therefore
should be avoided.
Keywords: Umbilical infection, disinfection, Iodine, Enge-
mycin-Spray.
HH-06
A high plane of nutrition is a protective factor against
neonatal calf diarrhea on Bavarian dairy farms
Ingrid Lorenz1, Huber Regina2, Trefz Florian3.
1
Bavarian Animal Health Service, Poing, Germany; 2Practice
Mittermeier, Kraiburg, Germany; 3Vetsuisse Faculty Bern, Bern,
Switzerland.
Objectives: Calf mortality and morbidity is still unaccept-
ably high worldwide. Neonatal calf diarrhea is the most import-
ant cause of calf losses in the first weeks of life. Therefore,
risk factors for calf diarrhea as a herd health problem were
investigated in a case-control study on Bavarian dairy farm.
Materials and methods: A total of 59 dairy farms were
investigated by veterinarians of the Bavarian Animal Health
Service due to problems with neonatal calf diarrhea (group P).
The control group consisted of 18 farms out of the customer
base of the Bavarian Animal Health Service that reported no
veterinary treatments for calf diarrhea (group C). Management
factors were assessed using a questionnaire during a face-to-
face interview. Serum samples were collected from up to 10
healthy calves from 2 to 10 days of age for the examination
of the quality of passive transfer using total protein analysis.
Up to 10 colostrum samples were assessed for immunologi-
cal and hygienic quality. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS
Statistics 24.0.0.1. The association between the appearance
of diarrhea on farm and the evaluated factors was analysed by
univariable regression tests for binary or categorical variables,
the Mann-Whitney U-test was used for continuous variables.
Variables with a p-value ≤0.2 were entered into a multivariate
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
180
regression model with calculation of odds ratios (OR) and as-
sociated 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) using a stepwise
backward procedure with a Wald P <0.05 as selection criterion
and using presence of diarrhea problems on farm as a binary
outcome variable. If two variables were closely correlated to
each other (rS >0.60), only that variable was entered into the
model which had the lowest P-value in the univariable analysis
in order to minimize the effects of collinearity. The fit of the
final logistic regression model was evaluated by means of the
Hosmer-Lemeshow Goodness-of-Fit test.
Results: Herd size was the same (Median = 75 dairy
cows) between groups. There was no difference in quality of
passive transfer as assessed by serum total protein between
problem herds and control herds. Also, no difference was
found with regards to the immunological and hygienic quality
of colostrum samples. Variables entered into the multivariate
regression model were: Cleaning of calving pen after each
calving (p=0.141); calf left longer than 3 hours with the mother
(p=0.071); 3 litres of colostrum at first feeding (p=0.079); 3
litres or more at second feeding (p=0.012); ad-libitum feeding
in first week of life (p=0.004); own feeding bucket for each
calf in first week of life (p=0.032); calves housed near cows
(p=0.042); administration of an iron containing preparation af-
ter birth (p=0.172).
Variables remaining in the final model were 3 litres or
more at second feeding (OR: 0.209, 95% CI: 0.049 – 0.892,
p=0.035); ad-libitum feeding during the first week of life (OR:
0.059, 95% CI: 0.006 – 0.599, p=0.017); and administration of
an iron containing preparation after birth (OR: 10.935, 95% CI:
1.251 – 95.624, p=0.031). Hosmer-Lemeshow Goodness-of-
Fit test: Chi-square: 0.721, df: 3, p=0.868.
Conclusions: Neonatal calf diarrhea is a multifactorial dis-
ease with numerous infectious and non-infectious factors de-
termining if calves fall sick or stay healthy. In this study, two of
the three variables in the final model gave evidence for a high-
er plain of nutrition being a protective factor against calf diar-
rhea on Bavarian dairy farms. In the past decades evidence is
accumulating, that early life nutrition has an important impact
on calf growth, development, health and well-being. Biologi-
cally normal feeding is recommended for the first three to four
weeks of life, which means providing unrestricted amounts of
milk or milk replacer as opposed to the traditionally practiced
feeding of restricted amounts of milk, e.g. 10 or 15% of body
weight. Ad-libitum or enhanced milk feeding results in elevat-
ed body growth and organ growth, e.g. of the small intestine,
the mammary gland, thymus and endocrine pancreas. It ei-
ther enhances or has no impairment on ruminal development
postweaning. An adequate nutrient supply is important for the
development of a stable intestinal microbiota and a successful
intestinal immune response against pathogens. Therefore, re-
sults of this study are in line to previous findings and support
the establishment of ad-libitum feeding programs in dairy calf
rearing.
Keywords: Calf diarrhea, ad-libitum feeding.
 ORAL — Herd Health Management, Smart Farming and Economics
HH-07
Motivations and barriers perceived by veterinarians when
implementing herd health fertility management on UK
dairy farms
James Brocket1, Emma Fishbourne2, Robert Smith2, Helen Higgins2.
1
Craig Robinson Vets, Cumbria, United Kingdom; 2Institute of
Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, United Kingdom.
Objectives: Vets can play a vital role in fertility herd health
management. However, there is evidence to suggest that this
is an area in which vets are not as involved as they could be,
and sometimes not at all. By not proactively getting involved in
fertility herd health management, vets are at risk of losing the
role of consultant to other paraprofessionals. Furthermore, in
a recent farmer satisfaction questionnaire, farmers rated pro-
activity as the number one rated attribute they look for in a vet
(Jefferson-Loveday 2018). Why then as a profession are we
not more involved in this area with farmers? We should be
acting as the driving force for farm efficiency and profitability
while keeping animal welfare at the forefront. The main aim of
this study was to investigate the motivators and barriers that
vets perceive when trying to implement herd health fertility
programmes on UK dairy farms.
Methods: Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were
conducted with 20, purposively sampled vets working in pri-
vate practice in the north of England and southern Scotland,
UK. All participants spent a minimum of 30% of their time
working with dairy cattle and conducted routine fertility visits
themselves. Interviews lasted between 20-60 minutes and
were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data was
analysed inductively using qualitative NVivo software and fol-
lowed the six-phase process of thematic analysis as described
by Braun and Clarke (2006). Coding and theme generation
was led by JB, with refinement through consultation with HMH,
EF and RS.
Results: Gender was split 13 men and 7 women. Mean
number of years qualified was 12.5 (range 3 to 31). There
were 8 assistants and 12 senior partners/directors. Of the
20 participants, 10 were working in mixed practice, 10 were
in farm-only practice and 4 had post-graduate cattle-related
qualifications. The size of the veterinary practice they worked
in varied from 3 to 28 farm vets, with a mean of 8.6.
The analysis generated four themes which together encap-
sulate the various barriers that the vets perceive to engaging
with farmers in fertility health management, their approaches
to engaging and their motivations for doing so. The first theme,
“clinical baggage” explored past experiences that vets have
had and how they shape, and in some cases seriously hinder,
future attempts to engage with farmers. The second theme,
“stuck in the comfort zone” highlighted, amongst other things,
that if vets lack familiarity with data handling or have gaps in
their knowledge this can contribute to a lack of confidence to
engage on the subject of herd health fertility management.
The third theme, “money matters” explores the financial moti-
vations vets have for themselves but to a greater extent for the
farmers they are engaging with. The fourth theme, “relation-
ship with the farmer” included factors such as the importance
of forging a positive relationship and trust with a farmer and
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
how this is crucial for effective engagement. This was distinct
from ‘friendly relationships’ that can impede vets attempts at
making positive change.
Conclusions: Vets recognise the value of fertility herd
health management, but are often unsuccessful in engaging
with farmers for a variety of reasons. The themes identified in
this study provide useful insight into the challenges they face
and also provide key areas that could be targeted in future
interventions to improve the uptake of fertility health manage-
ment on dairy farms. Our suggests for future interventions will
be presented at the conference.
Keywords: Engaging with farmers, Proactive, Preventa-
tive, Facilitating behaviour change.
HH-08
Effects of postpartum NSAID treatment on milking
performance, reproductive performance and survival of
cows and calves experiencing both assisted and unassisted
parturition
Nicola Gladden1, Dorothy McKeegan2, Kathryn Ellis2.
Farm Animal Department University of Nottingham School of
1
Veterinary Sciences Sutton Bonington, Loughborough, United
Kingdom; 2University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
Objectives: Parturition assistance in cattle is common
and has been shown to adversely affect reproductive perfor-
mance, milk yield and culling risk. Effects of assisted birth on
future productivity of calves have been less well studied al-
though one study suggests that assisted birth may negatively
affect future milk production. The underlying mechanisms for
such adverse effects are not understood; however, multiple
factors are likely to be involved, potentially including pain and
inflammation. Although non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug
(NSAID) analgesia is commonly provided following veteri-
nary-assisted parturition, it is uncertain whether any positive
NSAID effects extend to production parameters. It is also dif-
ficult to draw conclusions from available data as few studies
compare assisted and unassisted parturition, and both NSAID
treatment and production outcomes differ between studies.
Additionally, longer-term effects of administering NSAID treat-
ment to calves at birth on their future production have not
been reported. The objective of this study was to investigate
the effects of both farmer-provided assistance and postpartum
NSAID analgesia on subsequent production of cows as well
as future production of calves. A factorial design allowed us to
study not just the separate effects of assistance and NSAID
treatment, but also the effects of interactions between assis-
tance and treatment status.
Materials and methods: The study was performed on a
commercial UK dairy farm; the cows are housed and calve
all year round. Forty-seven cows and 47 calves experiencing
farmer-assisted parturition and 42 cows and 44 calves expe-
riencing unassisted parturition were recruited and randomly
assigned to either an NSAID treatment group (45 cows and 46
calves) or a placebo group (44 cows and 45 calves). Ketopro-
181
ORAL — Herd Health Management, Smart Farming and Economics
fen or saline was administered within 3h of parturition to ani-
mals in the treatment or placebo groups respectively. Produc-
tion data were obtained (with permission) from farm records
for statistical analysis and animals were followed until either
the end of their subsequent lactation (cows) or 1st lactation
(calves), or until they left the herd.
Results:
Milking performance
Irrespective of assistance status, NSAID-treated cows
had a mean 305-d mature equivalent yield (305ME) 664kg
higher than placebo-treated cows (p = 0.011). Additionally,
NSAID-treated unassisted cows had a tendency towards a
mean 305ME approximately 1500kg higher than cows in the
other three interaction groups (p = 0.073).
Reproductive performance
The median calving to conception interval of NSAID-treat-
ed cows tended to be 22d shorter than placebo-treated cows,
irrespective of assistance status (p = 0.056). Additionally,
NSAID-treated cows tended to be more likely to conceive
overall (compared to placebo-treated cows) (p = 0.056) and a
greater proportion of cows in the NSAID treatment group were
inseminated to observed oestrus than in the placebo group
(72% vs. 57%), although this was not statistically significant.
Irrespective of treatment status, parturition assistance was as-
sociated with poorer reproductive performance with affected
cows being less likely to conceive overall (OR 0.02; 95% CI
0.002-0.32; p = 0.005) and by 150 and 200 DIM (both p <
0.05).
First lactation reproductive performance of calves was
negatively affected by assisted birth: assisted calves were
bred more times before conceiving (p = 0.001) and had a lon-
ger calving to conception interval (p = 0.027) than unassisted
calves.
Survival
Thirty-one cows (34.8%) left the herd before completing
the subsequent lactation; assisted parturition was associated
with an increased risk of leaving the herd early (OR 4.53; 95%
CI 1.53 – 13.5; p = 0.004). Although treatment status did not
affect the overall risk of leaving the herd early, median surviv-
al time of culled NSAID-treated assisted cows was 268DIM,
compared to 169DIM for culled placebo-treated assisted
cows, although this was not statistically significant.
Calves experiencing birth assistance were eight times
more likely to not complete their first lactation than unassisted
calves (OR 7.95; 95% CI 1.31-48.4; p = 0.024).
Conclusions: This study supports previously demonstrat-
ed adverse effects of assisted parturition on cows’ reproduc-
tive performance and survival in the subsequent lactation.
Only 305ME was positively affected by postpartum NSAID
treatment, but this is an important finding due to the potential
economic benefits provided by increasing milk yield. Results
from this study also indicate that the effects of assisted birth
may be long lasting and affect calves into their first lactation,
although long lasting effects of ketoprofen treatment were not
identified in calves.
Keywords: Parturition, NSAID, productivity, cow, calf.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
182
HH-09
Characterisation of reticuloruminal contractions using
a reticuloruminal accelerometer bolus, neck collar
accelerometer and clinical examination (ultrasound and
auscultation)
Giovanni Capuzzello, Lorenzo Viora, Elena Borelli, Nicholas Jonsson.
University of Glasgow - School of veterinary Medicine - Scottish Centre
for Production Animal Health and Food Safety, Glasgow, United
Kingdom.
Objectives: Physical activity and reticuloruminal contrac-
tion rate (RRCR) have been used as indicators of health status
in cows. The three objectives of this study were to (1) deter-
mine whether a reticuloruminal tri-axial accelerometer bolus
(smaXtec Classic Bolus) could provide observations that are
consistent with RRCR as determined by clinical examination
using auscultation and ultrasound; (2) describe the relation-
ship between two commercial devices that indicate rumination
rate (Afimilk Silent Herdsman neck-mounted tri-axis acceler-
ometer collar; smaXtec Classic Bolus); (3) describe the diurnal
pattern of RRCR using motility indices derived from boluses
(smaXtec Classic Bolus).
Materials and methods: Six rumen-fistulated Jersey cows
at the University of Glasgow were studied over two weeks in
June 2021. Cows were fitted with collars (Afimilk Silent Herds-
man neck-mounted tri-axis accelerometer collar) and bolus-
es (smaXtec Classic Bolus). several weeks before the study.
Cows were housed together in a single straw-bedded pen and
fed ad libitum hay, replenished daily at 7.30-8.00 and 15.45-
16.00. On Mon, Wed, Fri of the first week each cow was exam-
ined between 09.00-10.30h and at 16:30-18:00h. RRCR was
determined over a 10 minutes period by ultrasound (US) with a
convex 3.5 MHz probe placed on the ventral paramedian area
of the abdomen, to the left of the caudal part of the xiphoid and
simultaneously a second operator recorded reticuloruminal
contractions by auscultation (AUSC) of the left paralumbar fos-
sa. In the second week, no clinical examination was performed
to avoid any interactions with the animals that might perturb
the normal diurnal pattern of reticuloruminal contraction. Data
were obtained from commercial web-platforms for both devic-
es (collars: hourly summarised rumination, eating and activity
indices; boluses: 10 minutes summarised temperature, rumi-
nation, activity indices) and boluses (smaXtec Classic Bolus)
supplied inter-contraction interval (ICI) and contraction du-
ration (CD) information summarised every 30-60s from their
commercially protected algorithms, derived from raw acceler-
ometer data. Time-series data were filtered to two datasets:
1) hourly bolus and collar data for the entire study period, 2)
bolus data every ~30-60s during the 10-min periods of the
clinical examinations. Distributions were checked. 10-min data
were summarised to the hour for the main dataset. Pearson's
correlation coefficients and Bland-Altmann plots were used to
compare clinical examination (US and AUSC) with bolus con-
traction intervals and to assess the relationship between the
rumination and activity indices from neck mounted collars and
boluses. A cyclic Generalised Additive Model (GAM) with cow
as fixed effect and smoothed time was used to describe the
effects of hour of day (diurnal pattern).
Results: During the 10-min examination periods, mean
 ORAL — Herd Health Management, Smart Farming and Economics
ICI (±SD) derived from US, AUSC and bolus were 40.1 ±
3.96s, 38.5 ± 3.33s, 40.4 ± 4.75s respectively. The Pearson
correlation coefficients for estimated inter-contraction interval
between US and AUSC with boluses, and between AUSC and
US for the period of clinical observation were 0.55, 0.40 and
0.69 respectively (all p<0.05). Pairwise Bland-Altmann plots
indicated similar performance of methods across all mean val-
ues, with small biases: Bolus-US = 0.27s, US-AUSC = 1.7s.
The Pearson correlation coefficient for rumination index de-
rived from neck mounted collars and indwelling boluses was
0.72, and for activity index it was 0.53 (both p<0.001). The
GAM showed a strong diurnal pattern for all cows. The ICI was
consistently high for all cows from 23:00 until 05:00h, falling
then and increasing to a second peak which varied among
cows between 10:00 and 14:00h, again falling after ~16:00h
until ~20:00h. The effect of time and cow were highly signifi-
cant (p < 0.0001), and the model explained 15% of the devi-
ance. By examining the relationship between ICI and the CD, it
was possible to identify two apparent types of contraction: one
centred around a CD of ~10 s and an ICI of ~50s, the other at
CD ~ 8.5s with ICI ~ 37s.
Conclusions: There was a robust relationship between
clinical observation and the boluses for estimation of ICI, and
between the bolus and collar for estimation of rumination in-
dex, indicating that the bolus provides useful clinical informa-
tion about changes in rumination pattern. We are conducting
further studies to assess the value of changes in ICI and CD
for the early detection of disorders of the rumen and systemic
disease states.
Keywords: Reticuloruminal contractions, diurnal pattern,
ultrasound, 3-axis accelerometer, Precision Livestock Farming.
HH-10
Use of an automated monitoring system to assess
rumination time and activity patterns in cows with metritis
André Pacheco De Carvalho1, Brenda Barcelos1, Denis Barbosa Alves
Antonio1, Jantijn Swinkels2, Carlos Antônio De Carvalho Fernandes3.
MSD Animal Health, São Paulo, Brazil; 2MSD Animal Health,
1
Boxmeer, Netherlands; 3University of José Rosario Vellano, Alfenas,
Brazil.
Objectives: Postpartum uterine conditions such as metri-
tis are common in dairy cows and represent a significant threat
to animals’ health and wellbeing, and frequently lead to a de-
creased reproductive performance in the subsequent breeding
season. Changes in feed intake, rumination, and activity pat-
tern in the periparturient period have been reported in cows
that develop metritis in early postpartum period (Cocco et al.,
2021). With an increased number of dairy farms equipped with
automated monitoring systems, the use of health insights gen-
erated by such systems opens an opportunity for farmers and
their vets to identify cows with higher risk of metritis.
The objectives of this study were to evaluate the efficiency
of an automated monitoring system (SenseHub™ Dairy, Allf-
lex® Livestock IntelligenceTM) to detect changes in rumination
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
time and activity in dairy cows with post-partum metritis.
Materials & methods: The study was conducted through-
out November 2019 to October 2020 with 493 Holstein cows
(n=493) aged 2 to 6 years, on a commercial dairy farm, lo-
cated in the Southern region of Minas Gerais state, Brazil. All
animal procedures were following the recommendations of the
Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Agricul-
tural Research and Teaching (FASS, 1999). During the exper-
imental period, cows were housed in a free stall. Cows were
fed ad libitum a TMR based feed with corn silage as forage,
and concentrates composed of corn and soybean meal, and
added minerals and vitamins, which was balanced to meet
or exceed the nutritional requirements of lactating dairy cows
(NRC, 2001). Rumination time and activity pattern were mon-
itored continuously in all cows using an automated monitoring
system (SenseHub™ Dairy, Allflex® Livestock IntelligenceTM),
from 30 days prepartum to 120 days postpartum. The cows
were also monitored daily for signs of metritis. Cows between
5 and 15 days postpartum who exhibited signs of behavior-
al changes, depression, as well as the presence of abnormal
uterine discharge and impaired uterine involution, were treat-
ed with antibiotics for three consecutive days (Conventional
Treatment). After this period, treated cows in which no clini-
cal resolution was observed, were treated with antibiotics for
another 5 days (Extended treatment). Both treatment groups
were compared to healthy cows with no signs of metritis
(Healthy) from the same herd. The rumination time (minutes
per day) and activity trend (provided by the system) were com-
pared between groups using the SAS Glimix procedure (SAS
Software, v9.4).
Results: Metritis was observed in 15.2% (75/493) of cows,
out of which 66.7% (50/75) required extended antibiotic treat-
ment for another 5 days. The average rumination time was
523.7±1.3a; 515.6±3.1b and 507.7±2.7c minutes (mean±std er-
ror) for the Healthy (n=418), Conventional Treatment (n=25)
and Extended Treatment groups (n=50), respectively. The re-
sults revealed that cows affected by metritis had lower aver-
age rumination time (P<0.022) compared to the Healthy con-
trol group. The persistence of clinical signs and the need for
extended treatment, which indicated a more severe process,
were associated with a further reduced overall rumination time
compared to the cows in which clinical cure was achieved
after conventional treatment (P=0.05). The average activity
trend generated by the system was 357.6±0.9a; 351.6±2,2b
and 332,0±1.6c (mean±std error) for the Healthy, Conventional
Treatment and Extended Treatment groups, respectively. The
presence of metritis and severity of the condition (as indicated
by the requirement for extended therapy) clearly affected the
overall activity of the cows (P=0.017 and P<0.0001, respec-
tively).
Conclusions: The results of the study confirmed that cows
that go on to develop early postpartum metritis exhibit lower
rumination time and decreased activity pattern than cows with
no uterine conditions. Moreover, it also revealed that animals,
in which the short antibiotic treatment did not lead to a clinical
improvement, showed more pronounced deviation in the mon-
itored variables.
These results open a significant opportunity to manage
one of the biggest challenges in the postpartum period, identi-
fy in advance animals in high risk of metritis.
183
ORAL — Herd Health Management, Smart Farming and Economics
Keywords: Monitoring system, rumination, activity, metri-
tis, pospartum.
HH-11
Effect of Formic Acid Treatment on Colostrum Quality
and on Absorption and Function of Immunoglobulins: A
Randomized Contolled Trial in Holstein Dairy Calves
Billy I. Smith, Sarah V. Cady, Helen W. Aceto.
University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine, New Bolton
Center, Kennett Square, PA, United States.
Objectives: Good quality colostrum is characterized by
high immunoglobulin levels and low pathogen load. Tech-
niques to decrease pathogens can damage immunoglobulins,
potentially reducing both absorption and function. Objectives
were to determine the effect of formic acid treatment on colos-
tral bacterial and immunoglobulin (IgG) levels before feeding,
and serum immunoglobulin levels and neutralizing capabilities
after feeding of either untreated or acidified colostrum.
Materials and Methods: Fifteen female Holstein calf pairs
born < 12 h apart from different dams were randomly assigned
to receive four liters of either untreated pooled (both dams)
colostrum or the same pooled colostrum acidified to pH 4.0-
4.5 with 10% formic acid. Colostrum characteristics including
pH, bacterial load, immunoglobulin concentration and neutral-
izing capability were evaluated in both untreated and acidified
samples. Blood samples were collected from each heifer pair
on day 1 pre-colostrum followed by day 3 post-colostrum and
then monthly for 6 months. Blood was analyzed for immuno-
globulin G (IgG) concentrations and neutralizing capabilities
against viral Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR), Bovine
Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV) Type-1 and Type-2 and five se-
rovars of bacterial Leptospira. Data were analyzed using
STATA 17 (Stata Corp, College Station, TX, United States). A
parametric t-test or non-parametric Kruskall Wallis test (which
makes no assumptions about data distributions) were used to
examine associations between feeding of untreated or acid-
ified colostrum and outcome variables. Because many out-
comes were below the detection limit of various assays, tobit
regression was also used to censor those values and evaluate
significance. A value of P < 0.05 was considered statistically
significant.
Results: Birth weights among calf pairs were not signifi-
cantly different. Compared to untreated colostrum (mean =
6.7, standard deviation [SD] 0.4, median 6.8, range 6.0-7.3)
acidification significantly reduced colostrum pH (mean = 4.3,
SD 0.3, median 4.3, range 4.0-4.5) P < 0.001. Total coliform
count was also significantly reduced (untreated mean cfu/
ml = 149, SD 444, range, median 1, range 0-1,700; acidified
mean cfu/ml = 8, SD 31, median 0, range 0-120; P = 0.02).
Colostrum IgG levels were not significantly different between
untreated (mean 93.3 g/L, SD 39.7; median 92.80, range 36.7-
164.4) and post-acidified colostrum (mean 101.9 g/L, SD 36.7;
median 108.3, range 33.8-164.4; P = 0.54). There were no sig-
nificant differences between untreated and acidified colostrum
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
184
neutralizing titers for IBR, BVDV1, or BVDV2. Except for one
calf in the untreated group, IgG levels on day 1 pre-colostrum
were all less than 10 mg/dL. At 3 days of age, total protein
levels in calves fed untreated colostrum (mean = 6.5 mg/dL,
SD 0.4, range 5.4-7.0) and those receiving acidified colostrum
(mean = 6.3 mg/dL, SD 0.7, range 5.2-7.6) were not signifi-
cantly different, P = 0.38. Peak IgG levels occurred on day 3
(untreated mean = 26.1 g/L, SD 34.9, median 169.2, range
8.3-151.0; acidified mean = 30.2 g/L, SD 48.7, median 188.8,
range 3.1-204.4; P = 0.77). Apparent efficiency of IgG absorp-
tion was not different between groups (untreated mean 24.3%,
SD 11.4, median 25.3, range 8.6–51.3; acidified mean 22.6%,
SD 21.7, median 21.6, range 4.1-58.9; P = 0.65). Thereafter,
IgG levels slowly declined over the subsequent 6 months,
but they were never significantly different between groups.
Over the same period, maternal antibody titers against IBR,
BVDV1, BVDV2, and Leptospira canicola, L. hardjo, and L. po-
mona were not different. Titers against L. grippotyphosa and
L. icterohaemorrhagiae were unmeasurable in the majority of
calves and the data were not analyzed.
Conclusions: Colostrum acidification significantly de-
creased bacterial load fed to newborn calves without affecting
IgG concentration or virus neutralization. Nor did acid treat-
ment impact serum IgG levels in calves or activity against
common pathogens.
Keywords: Randomized Controlled Trial, Acidified Colos-
trum, Pathogen Load, Immunoactivity.
HH-12
Comparison of diagnostic testing strategies for failure of
passive transfer (FPT) in Scottish dairy calves
Katie Denholm1, Alexandra Haggerty1, Kathryn Ellis1, Colin Mason2.
University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom; 2Scottish
1
Agricultural College, Dumfries and Galloway, United Kingdom.
In dairy calves, failure of passive transfer (FPT) results
in an increased risk of calfhood morbidity and mortality (Ty-
ler et al. 1999; Pardon et al. 2015). Furthermore, calves with
FPT have reduced liveweight gains following weaning (Fur-
man-Fratczak et al. 2011) and reduced first milking lactation
yields (Denise et al. 1989).
Background: Serum IgG levels of ≥10g/L are indicative
of adequate passive transfer (Tyler et al. 1999; Virtala et al.
1999). The reference test for measuring IgG in serum is radial
immunodiffusion (RID) which directly measures the IgG in a
sample (Cuttance et al. 2017). In Scotland, this test is prohib-
itively expensive so indirect measures such as total protein
(TP) tests are often substituted. Zinc sulphate turbidity (ZST)
testing is another indirect measurement of IgG in serum (Ho-
gan et al. 2015) and is commonly used in Scotland by clini-
cians and disease investigation centres to diagnose FPT in
calves; despite a growing body of evidence to suggest its in-
feriority to other tests (Hogan et al. 2015), in particular its poor
specificity. Brix refractometry has been used as an inexpen-
sive and convenient calf side measure of FPT, which can also
 ORAL — Herd Health Management, Smart Farming and Economics
be used to measure colostrum quality (Quigley et al. 2013).
Objectives:
• To explore the performance of various diagnostic test-
ing strategies for FPT in Scottish dairy calves.
• To redefine optimal cutpoints for indirect testing strate-
gies, including Brix refractometry, total protein (TP) and
zinc sulphate turbidity (ZST).
• To challenge the status quo of indirect measures of
FPT offered in commercial laboratories and disease
investigation centres in Scotland.
Materials and methods: Serum samples were collected
from 370 calves between 24 hours and 7 days old from 38
dairy farms in Lanarkshire, Stirlingshire and Dumfries and
Galloway. Calves were excluded if they exhibited signs of ill
health; in particular, dehydration. Samples were tested using
ZST, Brix refractometry, TP and RID.
Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis
was used to determine the optimal cutpoints for correctly pre-
dicting FPT using concentrations of TP, percentage Brix and
ZST. The optimal cut-point for each test was calculated using
the Youden’s index, where the sum of sensitivity plus specifici-
ty is maximised and equal weight is given to false positive and
false negative results.
Results: False positive rates were high using indirect test-
ing, particularly when ZST was used. FPT prevalence was
29.5%, 30.8% and 46.4% for TP, Brix and ZST respectively,
compared with 14.1% for direct measurement of IgG concen-
tration using RID. The results from this work confirm the poor
test specificity of the ZST test and recommend a lowered cut-
point to improve test performance, in line with other published,
international work. Existing cutpoints (from international liter-
ature) for indirect FPT tests were redefined using ROC (re-
ceiver operating curve) analysis and the accuracy of each test
improved.
Conclusions: Despite over-estimation of the prevalence
of FPT in this population of calves, it is still useful to monitor
FPT using indirect tests due to their convenience and cost ef-
fectiveness; however, it is recommended that test cutpoints
are lowered for all indirect measures, particularly ZST to im-
prove performance.
It is recommended that clinicians take at minimum of 12
serum samples from a cohort of 1-7 day old calves at regular
intervals to monitor the effects of any interventions to reduce
the prevalence of FPT on a farm. Over-interpretation of indi-
rect testing at one time point is a risk, especially if low numbers
of calves are sampled.
Keywords: Calf, failure of passive transfer, diagnostics.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
HH-13
A parallel evaluation of five cost-effective indirect methods
for assessing failure of passive immune transfer in neonatel
calves
Corbiere Fabien1, Mugnier Amélie1, Pecceu Katrien2, Schelcher
François1.
National Veterinary School of Toulouse, Toulouse, France; 2MSD
1
Animal Health, Beaucouzé, France.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the di-
agnostic accuracy of five indirect methods that may be used
in veterinary practices to assess the success of maternal im-
munoglobulins (Ig) transfer in neonatal calves. These meth-
ods include the assessment of STP by biochemistry analyzer
in veterinary practice or by optical refractometry, digital Brix
refractometry, calculated serum globulin concentration, and
serum γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT) activity level.
Materials and methods: Blood samples were collected
from 245 2 to 6-d-old calves. Serum IgG concentration were
determined by radial immunodiffusion (RID). Serum total
protein (STP_BA) and albumin concentrations and γ-glutam-
yl transferase activity (GGT) were determined by veterinary
practitioners using their own biochemistry analyzer. Globulin
concentration (GLOB) was calculated. Veterinary practitioners
were also asked to assess STP using a digital Brix refrac-
tometer (%Brix) and an optical refractometer (g/L, STP_OP).
Test sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) were calculated using
RID as the reference standard with failure of passive immune
transfer (FTPI) defined as IgG < 10.0 g/L. Receiver operating
characteristics curves were created and optimal cut-offs val-
ues for each of the five indirect measurement methods were
selected based on the maximization of the Youden’s J statistic.
Results: In this study, GLOB yielded the highest accura-
cy to identify FTPI (Se = 89.4%; Sp = 89.3% at 34 g/L). For
%Brix, the optimal combination of Se and Sp was at 8.4% Brix
(Se = 86.5% and Sp = 83.8%). The use of STP_OP was as-
sociated with the lowest diagnostic accuracy (Se = 69.7% and
Sp = 81.6% at 52 g/L). For GGT the optimal cut-points were
different for 2- to 3-d-old calves (Se = 87.5% and Sp = 87.8%
at 393 IU/L) or 4- to 6-d-old calves (Se = 90.0% and Sp =
86.4% at 254 IU/L).
Conclusion: for on-farm use, digital %Brix refractometer
can be a valuable and inexpensive tool to help producers and
veterinary practitioners in their calf health management pro-
grams.
Keywords: Passive immunity transfer, immunoglogulin,
refractometer, serum total protein, GGT.
185
ORAL — Herd Health Management, Smart Farming and Economics
HH-14
Association of combined serum macromineral profiles with
clinical diseases in post-partum Holstein cows
Vangelis Tsiamadis1, Georgios Banos2, Nikolaos Panousis3, Nektarios
Siachos1, Georgios Arsenos1, Georgios E. Valergakis1.
1
Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Veterinary
Medicine, Box 393, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124
Thessaloniki, Greece, Thessaloniki, Greece; 2Scotland’s Rural College
and Roslin Institute, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK, and Department
of Animal Production, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Box 393,
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124 Thessaloniki, Greece,
Thessaloniki, Greece; 3Clinic of Farm Animals, Department of Clinics,
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki,
GR-54124 Thessaloniki, Greece, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Objectives: Post-partum serum concentration distortions
of macrominerals (Ca, P, Mg, K) are negatively associated
with health and productivity of dairy cows. The individual ef-
fects of each one has been studied separately from the others,
so far. The objective of this research was to evaluate the as-
sociation of combined macromineral concentrations during the
first and second day in milk (DIM) on clinical diseases in early
post-partum dairy cows.
Material and Methods: The research was conducted in
compliance with international ethical standards. The study was
conducted in 9 Holstein dairy herds; 938 cows were enrolled;
parity 1, 2 and 3+ cows were 434, 232 and 272, respectively.
Cows were blood-sampled on DIM 1 and 2 to assess serum
concentrations of Ca (Ca1, Ca2), P (P1, P2), Mg (Mg1, Mg2)
and K (K1, K2), and clinically examined on DIM 1, 2, 4 and 8.
Body Condition Score (BCS) was evaluated at DIM 1 and 8.
Calcium and Mg concentrations were determined with atom-
ic absorption spectrophotometry, while those of P and K with
a biochemical/electrolyte analyzer. The biochemical data set
consisted of 7,504 macromineral records. The clinical data set
consisted of 3,752 observations including retained fetal mem-
branes (RFM), metritis, mastitis, displaced abomasum (DA)
and clinical ketosis (KET). A new trait defined as at least one
diagnosis on any of the aforementioned clinical diseases was
created (CD_1-8). An Exploratory Principal Component Analy-
sis (PCA) analysis with Direct Oblimin rotation was performed
in order to test the null hypothesis that factors to-be-extracted
were correlated. After rejecting it, a second PCA with Varimax
rotation and Kaiser Normalization, which assumes that factors
are independent and uncorrelated, was performed. In both
analyses, macromineral concentrations were used as vari-
ables. Principal components (PC) were extracted using the el-
bow rule and used as continuous variables in the subsequent
analyses. Afterwards, a univariate binary logistic regression
(U-BLR) was performed to assess the effects of herd, parity,
calving season, BCS and PC on the likelihood that cows have
any of the aforementioned diseases diagnosed on DIM 1 to 8.
The interaction between potential covariates was also exam-
ined. Predicted probabilities derived from U-BLR were used in
subsequent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis
in order to evaluate the overall U-BLR model performance and
to determine proper macromineral thresholds. All analyses
were performed with SPSS ver. 25. Statistical significance was
set at P≤0.05.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
186
Results: ROC estimated thresholds (in mmol/L) were:
Ca1≤2.1, Ca2≤2.03, P1≥1.9, P2≥4.6, Mg1≤1.01, Mg2≤0.95,
K1≤4.5 and K2≤4.8. All estimated model Areas Under the
Curve were >0.70 (0.64-0.78). Four components (namely first
to forth) accounted for 68.3% of total macromineral variance.
First component comprised mainly Ca1, Ca2 and Mg2; Ca and
Mg concentrations above thresholds were associated with a
decreased probability of metritis, DA and CD_1-8, by 77% (64-
94%), 63% (41-96%) and 76% (65-89%), respectively. Second
component included mainly Mg1 and Mg2; Mg concentrations
above thresholds were associated with a decreased probabil-
ity of metritis by 84% (72-99%). Third component comprised
mainly Ca2, P2, K1 and K2; concentrations of Ca, K (above
thresholds) and P (below threshold) were associated with a
decreased probability of KET by 69% (50-96%). Finally, Forth
component consisted mainly of P1, P2 and K1; concentrations
of P (above threshold) and K (below threshold) were associat-
ed with an increased probability of mastitis by 50% (20-90%).
Herd significantly affected all post-partum clinical diseases
studied. Compared to parity 1, cows in parities 2 and 3+ were
2.3 (1.4-3.6) and 2.1 (1.3-3.4) times more likely to be diag-
nosed with RFM; compared to parity 1, cows in parity 3+ were
also 3.9 (1.7-8.8) times more likely to be diagnosed with KET.
Cows with 3.0≤BCS≤3.5 and ≥3.75 were 7.1 (1.7-30.9) and
9.9 (2.0-48.0) times more likely, respectively, to be diagnosed
with KET than cows with BCS≤2.75. Cows with BCS≥3.75
were 3.7 (1.3-10.1) times more likely to be diagnosed with
KET than cows with 3.0≤BCS≤3.5. In U-BLR analysis no inter-
action between potential covariates were identified.
Conclusion: When implementing preventive health man-
agement measures, serum concentrations of all four macro-
minerals must be considered simultaneously. Appropriate Ca,
P, Mg and K serum profiles would greatly reduce morbidity of
post-partum dairy cows.
Keywords: Macrominerals, Principal Components, Calci-
um, Magnesium, clinical diseases.
HH-15
Telemetric and Long Term Measurement of Reticuloruminal
Motility - Precision and Accuracy of Derived Rumination
Time
Johann Gasteiner, Christian Fasching, Michael Astl, Andreas
Steinwidder.
Research Centre Raumberg-Gumpenstein, Irdning, Austria.
Objectives: Rumen motility is of basic importance for the
physiological function of the digestive system and it is respon-
sible for mixing, separating and transporting the ingesta. Re-
ticuloruminal motility is described by specific contraction cy-
cles. Reticular activity stands at the beginning of the primary
contraction cycle. This is characterized by two reticular con-
tractions and this is just found during resting and feeding. A
third contraction is only seen during rumination, the so called
rejection contraction (Kaske, 2015).
In order to evaluate the possibility of continuous measure-
 ORAL — Herd Health Management, Smart Farming and Economics
ment of reticuloruminal activity, a trial was conducted at the
Research Centre Raumberg-Gumpenstein. The objective of
this study was to investigate, whether the extended contrac-
tion duration, due to the rejection contraction, is appropriate
to record rumination time by continuously measuring reticular
acceleration.
Materials and Methods: Reticular motility was mea-
sured continuously in four rumen fistulated cows over a pe-
riod of 44 days by using a motility-monitoring bolus (MMB).
On each day cows were visually observed for 120 minutes
between 06.00 to 08.00 a.m. and rumination times were re-
corded. MMB were prototypes of a commercially available
technology (smaXtec®). Boli were located in the reticulum as
described by Gasteiner et al. (2015) and activity was recorded
by an acceleration sensor. These data were used to deter-
mine the duration of reticular contractions (s), described as
the pulse width (PW). The resulting rumination time recorded
by the MMB was compared with visual observations by using
the Pearson correlation coefficient (r), the linear regression
coefficient of determination (R²), and the Bland-Altmann plot
for validation of precision. The Pearson correlation coefficient
and the coefficient of determination from the MMB were cat-
egorized according to Hinkle et al. (2003). They were consid-
ered as precise if the correlation coefficient and coefficient of
determination were high (> 0.70), and as accurate if the mean
bias from the Bland-Altman plot included zero with the 95 %
interval of agreement.
Results: PW was seen to be significantly higher during
ruminating cycles (P < 0.0001), when compared to feeding or
resting. When comparing these results with the outcome of
visual observations, the r for rumination time was 0.97 (P <
0.0001) and the R² was 0.94 (P < 0.0001). The slope of re-
gression was found to be 0.92 (± 0.03).The Bland-Altman plot
was acceptable and did not show any bias. Mean differences ±
standard deviation (MMB – observation) were 0.46 ± 4.09 min.
The 95 % confidence interval encompassed 84 of 88 rumina-
tion time observations. Overall, the mean differences did, how-
ever, include zero within the 95 % interval of agreement, indi-
cating no difference between the MMB and visual observation.
Conclusions: The rejection contraction during ruminating
results in a longer reticular contraction time when compared
to feeding or resting (12 s vs. 7 s). This enables us to record
rumination time very precisely and accurately by using the de-
scribed technique. When comparing our data with data from
previous studies, the described MMB performed similarly to
or better than other rumination monitoring systems. Thus the
finding of the current study is important for implementation of
the MMB on dairy farms because of the precise and automatic
collection of physiologically relevant data gathered from the di-
rectly out of the reticulorumen. In addition to an exact definition
of physiological functions the described technique has a great
potential to detect reticuloruminal disorders and diseases at
an early stage.
Literature:
Gasteiner, J.; Horn, M. und Steinwidder, A. (2015): Contin-
uous measurement of reticuloruminal pH values in dairy cows
during the transition period from barn to pasture feeding using
an indwelling wireless data transmitting unit. Journal of Animal
Physiology and Animal Nutrition 99 (2), 273-280.
Hinkle, D.E.; Wiersma, W. und Jurs, S.G. (2003): Applied
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
statistics for the Behavioral Sciences. 2nd ed., Houghton Mif-
flin, Bosten.
Kaske, M. (2015): Vormagenmotorik und Ingestapassage.
In Engelhardt et al. (Eds.): Physiologie der Haustiere, 5, Enke
Verlag, Stuttgart, 361-372.
Keywords: Rumen motility, indwelling monitoring bolus,
smart farming,
HH-16
Effects of Isoquinoline Alkaloids-based Product in
Lactating Dairy Cows
Gilles Foucras1, Nathan Cebron2, Jérémy Poyedessus1, Laura Leleu1,
Hervé Bezille3, Santiago Bas4, Cédric Audonnet3.
1
ENVT, Toulouse, France; 2IHAP, Toulouse, France; 3Feedéal SAS,
Bourgbarré, France; 4Phytobiotics Futterzusatzstoffe GmbH, Eltville,
Germany.
Objectives: Improving animal health and welfare with low/
no chemical input while achieving high milk yield is a difficult
task in modern dairy production systems. To this end, many
solutions have been tested with uncertain results. Plant-de-
rived products have been favorably used in several species,
but scarce data are available on their effects in dairy cattle.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a
plant-based product derived from Macleaya cordata contain-
ing standardized concentrations of isoquinoline alkaloids (IQs)
on milk production, but also udder and uterine health of lactat-
ing dairy cows.
Materials and methods: Primiparous (PRIM; n = 84) and
multiparous (MULT; n = 602) cows from 18 commercials herds
in France were evaluated. Cows were matched by lactation
number, previous lactation milk yield and SCC (MULT) within
farms, and were randomly allocated to receive two boluses
containing IQs (IQS; n=343) or to serve as a control (CON;
n=343). Boluses were designed to release an equivalent of
37.5 mg/d of IQs for 60 days, and 18.75 mg/d of IQs thereafter
for three months following administration. Boluses were ad-
ministered during the close up period, approximately 21 days
before the expected date of calving. Data (milk yield, fat and
protein, urea, SCC) from the first five official milk test-days
were collected and analyzed retrospectively. In an indepen-
dent set of five herds (n=52 cows in each group), mammary,
uterine, hematological, and biochemical (NEFA, BHBA, hapto-
globin) data were collected during the first three months of lac-
tation. Statistical analyses were performed using R software
(v3.5.1).
Results: Records show that raw and energy-corrected
milk yields were higher (Two-way ANOVA, p < 0.05) in IQS
cows, with a mean increase over than 1.5 kg in the set of 18
herds. No difference in milk fat, protein, and urea concentra-
tions were noticed. Overall, mean SCC was lower (50×103
cells/mL; Two-way ANOVA, p<0.05), and the prevalence of
cows with subclinical mastitis (SCC ≥ 250×103 cells/mL) was
also lower (p < 0.05) in the IQS group on milk test-days during
the first three months of lactation. The effect of IQs supple-
187
ORAL — Herd Health Management, Smart Farming and Economics
mentation is more pronounced in high-producing PRIM cows
and improved milk yield in the two lowest quartiles. The num-
ber of clinical mastitis was lower in IQS cows (p<0.05). No
difference for retained placenta or endometritis between IQS
and CON were noticed in the first 45 days post-partum. No dif-
ference of NEFA, BHBA, or haptoglobin measured in the first
week of lactation or fat:protein ratio thereafter could be detect-
ed, indicating that improvement cannot be solely explained by
changes of the metabolic profile in early lactation.
Conclusions: These results show that administration of a
plant-based product with standardized concentrations of IQs
increased milk yield and improved udder health. IQs supple-
mentation can be regarded as a strategy to improve productiv-
ity and to reduce SCC in dairy cows.
Keywords: Health, dairy cows, milk, plant-based product.
HH-17
Analysis of daily activities of herd managers and
interrelations with the animal production and health
situation on dairy farms in eastern Germany
Peter Hufe1, Christina Felgentreu1, Adriana Wöckel2, Wolf
Wippermann2, Benno Waurich1, Franz Schneider1, Julia Wittich1,
Detlef May1, Sven Dänicke3, Hermann Swalve4, Alexander Starke5,
Melanie Schären-Bannert2.
1
LVAT – Institute for Animal Breeding and Husbandry, Groß Kreutz,
Germany; 2"LVAT – Institute for Animal Breeding and Husbandry,
Groß Kreutz", "Clinic for Ruminants and Swine, Faculty of Veterinary
Medicine, Leipzig University", Leipzig, Germany; 3Institute for Animal
Nutrition, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Brunswick, Germany; 4Institute
of Agricultural and Nutritional Sciences, University of Halle, Halle-
Wittenberg, Germany; 5Clinic for Ruminants and Swine, Faculty of
Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany.
Objectives: Different aspects of process controlling, such
as establishment and assessment of control points and the
analysis of workflows and daily activities of employees are
standard in many industries to increase the quality and effi-
ciency of production systems. Dairy production has evolved
from traditional farming to modern and large-scaled produc-
tion systems in many parts of the world. However, routines
for process controlling are still in their infancy. Well-organized
and efficient workflows allow the completion of tasks in an ad-
equate manner and increase the quality of the result as well
as the working conditions for employees. Animal production
and health are measurable outcomes for the quality of herd
management and animal husbandry. In a first approach, we
therefore hypothesized an interrelation between daily activities
of herd managers and the health status of the herd.
Materials and Methods: An analysis was conducted on
10 farms located in the state of Brandenburg with an average
size of 592 German Holstein cows (229-1,221), an average
milk production of 9,690 kg marketed milk per cow and year,
and 32.9 % culling rate (excl. sales for breeding purposes).
The daily workflows on the farm in different fields of activi-
ties (e.g. milking, feeding, reproduction, young stock rearing,
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
188
herd management) were assessed in interviews. The person
responsible for herd management was followed throughout a
three-week period (mean: 13 d; 11-15, min-max) by a project
employee. Activities were continuously documented on a min-
ute-basis. An average of 954 entries per farm (537-1,326; min-
max) and a total of 1,092 h (excl. breaks and tasks in other ar-
eas than dairy production) were recorded and assigned to 13
categories during data-processing (see results section). Herd
data included key figures in following areas: production level
(kg marketed milk per cow and year), milk quality (bulk tank
and test-day data), stillbirth rates, culling (culling and mortality
rates, period: 07/20-06/21). No statistical, only a descriptive
analysis was performed.
Results: Of the documented 1,092  h the herd manag-
ers invested 4 % (1-9 %, min-max) in administration, office
and management, 17 % (9-23 %) in communication, 11 %
(3-19 %) in animal documentation, 17 % (11-28 %) in animal
organization and movement, 9 % (4-16 %) in animal controls,
9 % (2-16 %) in animal treatment and health measures, 1 %
(0-3 %) in feeding, 12 % (4-29 %) in accompanying of external
service providers (e.g. veterinary, hoof trimmer, inseminator),
5 % (1-11 %) in assistance of employees, 5 % (0-30 %) in shift
takeover from employees, 5 % (0-9 %) in process controlling,
2 % (1-5 %) in other activities and 3 % (0-11 %) of the time
was not assigned/not recorded. The five farms where herd
managers invested more than average time in animal and
process controlling (animal health, feeding and other, ≥14 %)
exhibited a higher production level (9,782 vs. 9,598 kg/cow/
year), lower somatic cell counts (161,000 vs. 202,000 cells/
ml), culling (30.4 vs. 35.3 %) and mortality (5.9 vs. 9.7 %-point
of culling rate) rates and thereby higher lifetime productions of
culled cows (36,698 vs. 30,400 kg), as well as lower stillbirth
rates (6.5 vs. 8.0 %) and losses during the rearing period un-
til 3 months of age (3.5 vs. 8.3 %). The forementioned herd
managers invested more time in administration, organization
and communication (37 vs. 28 %), but less time in tasks that
should be delegated (e.g. moving animals, assistance and
taking-over shifts of employees; 22 vs. 32 %) and treatment
of animals (7 vs. 11 %). No difference between herd size was
observed between the two groups [average of 624 (min: 229,
max: 1,221) vs. 560 (min: 399, max: 783) cows].
Conclusions: 1. A large heterogeneity between farms in
the activities of their herd managers exists, 2. In many farms
original herd manager activities (management and controlling)
are postponed by taking over tasks that should be delegated,
3. In most of the farms the controlling of the feeding process
is largely disconnected from the person in charge for herd
management, 4. Herd managers who spent more time in con-
trolling achieve better results concerning the production level,
health and longevity of their herd.
This project was funded by the European Innovation Part-
nership (EIP)-agri.
Keywords: Workflow analysis, process control, precision
dairy farming, herd management, production diseases.
 ORAL — Herd Health Management, Smart Farming and Economics
HH-18
The marginal cost of lameness in dairy herds: an integrated
bioeconomic modelling approach
Robcis Rodolphe, Raboisson Didier, N'Diaye Youba, Lhermie
Guillaume, Ferchiou Ahmed.
National Veterinary School, Toulouse, France.
Objectives: Lameness is a major concern in dairy cat-
tle and foot disorders are responsible for 92% of total lame-
ness cases. Different strategies are available for the farmers
to manage lameness: short-term actions (curative trimming,
footblocks, antibiotics, footbaths) and overall medium and
long-term actions (hygiene, detection, preventive trimming).
The objective of this study is to estimate the marginal cost of
lameness and foot disorders, to define optimal bioeconomic
strategy for managing lameness in dairy herds.
Materials and methods: A dynamic and stochastic sim-
ulation model (DairyHealthSim©) was used to simulate as
precisely as possible the herd dynamics, reproduction man-
agement, the production and health events. The model offers
a holistic representation of a dairy farm and simulates the in-
teraction between production functions, diseases or damage
function and veterinary or damage control functions accord-
ing to farmer’s practices. This model was previously used
for studies on mastitis, reproduction and culling. A specific
development (DHS-Lame) was done for lame and its differ-
ent herd-level management strategies. Lame occurrences
are simulated with a base risk for each aetiology of lameness
(digital dermatitis – DD, interdigital dermatitis – ID, interdigital
phlegmon – IP, sole ulcer – SU, white line disease – WLD),
associated to a relative risk according to a farmer’s practices.
Lameness is simulated as lame state machine (lame score
– LS – from 1 to 5) associated to a DD state machine (M1
to M4.1). The impacts are computed on milk production and
heat expression. Once detected, lame cows are treated, and
a recovery rate is applied depending on aetiology and treat-
ment. A total of 880 scenarios were run including (i) housing
(concrete vs. textured) (ii) hygiene (2 different scrapping fre-
quencies), (iii) the existence of any preventive trimming or not,
(iv) different thresholds of detected DD prevalence from which
a collective footbath is applied to treat DD and (v) detection
rate scenarios to represent farmer ability to detect lame. The
economic evaluation is performed to calculate farmers risk
adjusted income for each scenario and the marginal cost is
calculated as an income loss per additional case for each lame
aetiology and for additional lame cow (LS ≥3) Calibration was
done thanks to peer-review literature review, grey literature or
authors’ experience if not available.
Results: The simulation results show a lameness prev-
alence varying from 27% to 83% depending the scenarios,
showing a high capacity of the model to represent field. Digital
dermatitis represented half of total lameness cases, followed
by ID, SU, WLD and IP. Validity of the model was overall con-
sidered as very good.
Housing surface scenarios dramatically influence the prev-
alence of SU and WLD, while scrapping frequency and foot-
bath threshold for application mainly determine the presence
of DD. Results interestingly shows that preventive trimming
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
allows a better reduction in lame prevalence than spending
time for early-detection. Scrapping frequency was highly as-
sociated with DD occurrence, especially with a textured floor.
The observed prevalence of DD reaches a plateau when the
threshold of footbath application is over 30% (R2 = 0.94).
Lameness prevalence variations also show a sensitive nega-
tive impact on total milk yield, with a logarithmic trend (R² = 0.8).
Economic results show that the milk losses represent the
first component of lame costs, in agreement with literature.
The marginal cost curve for the prevalence of lameness shows
a downward logarithmic trend (lower marginal cost for higher
prevalence): the marginal cost for lameness ranges from 193€
to 5€ while prevalence ranges from 25% to 60%, all aetiolo-
gies included. For DD, the marginal cost ranges from 248€ to
12€ with a prevalence range from 10 to 35%. For WLD and
SU, the marginal cost ranges is from 281€ to 87€ and from
414€ to 22€ respectively for prevalence ranging from 2.5% to
5.5% and from 4% to 25% respectively.
Conclusions: The models allow to mimic with high preci-
sion the lame dynamics in the herd. The marginal cost of lame
describes a downward logarithmic trend, meaning lower cost
of one extra lame case for higher prevalence. The present tool
can also be used as support for decision making and to identi-
fy the best strategy depending on the farm contexts.
Keywords: Lameness, economics, cow, management.
HH-19
Nutritional and health supplements in molasses blocks
delivers increased rumen efficiency in smallholder large
ruminant production in developing countries
Peter Windsor1, Luisa Olmo2, Nichola Calvani2, Francesca Earp2,
Russell Bush2.
Production Animal Welfare & Health Services, Scarborough, NSW,
1
Australia; 2The University of Sydney, Camden, NSW, Australia.
Objectives: Summarize field studies examining the four
different molasses-block supplements (consumed @ 100-
150g/day) provided to large ruminants, for improved health and
production outcomes, in a developing country context. Trials
were conducted in Laos, where productivity is compromised
by low growth rates, endemic adult and calf endoparasitism
by Fasciola gigantica or Toxocara vitulorum respectively, with
limited farmer knowledge and facilities for administration of
therapeutics. Further, discuss a marketing feasibility study of
this supplementation strategy and consider the environmental
impacts of improving rumen efficiency through this technology.
Materials and methods: Field trials were implemented
in villages in mainly the dry season in Laos from 2017-2019,
studying the impacts of ad-libitum supplementation with high
quality molasses blocks (20kg) (4 Seasons Pty Ltd, Brisbane,
Australia), containing: non-medicated (NMMB); urea-medicat-
ed (UMB8; @ 8% urea); triclabendazole-medicated (Fasinex®,
Novartis Australia, TMB5 @ 5g/kg, and TMB10 @ 10g/kg);
fenbendazole-medicated (Panacur100®, Coopers Australia;
FMB5; @ 5g/kg). Animal cohorts were enrolled into one of
189
ORAL — Herd Health Management, Smart Farming and Economics
three groups: (i) access to either UMB8, TMB5 or TMB10, or
FMB5 medicated molasses blocks; (ii) access to NMMB; and
where possible (iii) control groups without access to blocks.
To serve as positive controls, additional cohorts were treated
with oral anthelmintics. This inlcuded two FMB5 trials where
oral pyrantel was administered at 2-3wks of age, plus use of
oral triclabendazole in TBZ5 and TBZ10 trials. Weight data
and faecal samples were obtained at weeks 1, 4, 8 and 12
for growth rates (average daily gain; ADG = grams/day) and
faecal egg counts (FEC). Where data from cohorts not receiv-
ing blocks was unavailable, the results were compared with
recently acquired baseline ADG data.
Results: Baseline measurements obtained from studies of
the free grazing systems in Laos, confirmed low mean weights
(182–204kg in cattle; 325–357kg in buffalo) and low ADG’s
(55–84g in cattle; 92–106g in buffalo), with animals likely to
lose weight during the dry season due to feed deficiency. Trials
with UMMB and UMB8 compared the weight gains of lactat-
ing cows (n = 46), calves (n = 25) and growing calves (n =
35) of famers (n = 20), with access to both blocks significantly
increasing ADG in all 3 cohorts compared to baseline graz-
ing-only data. The supplemented lactating cows (191g, 179g),
calves (298g, 238g), and growing cattle (214g, 143g) all per-
formed well respectively, but less than in a pen study conduct-
ed at a research station near Vientiane where UMMB-fed bulls
achieved a superior ADG (320g). The initial triclabendazole
trial (n=241) examined Fasciola spp. suppression over a 12
week period of access to TBM5 blocks, reducing FEC (~90%)
and increasing ADG (201g) that was superior to the reduction
in FEC (~19%), and ADG (124g) of those with NMMB access
(P=001). A 2019 trial with TMB10 observed rapid elimination of
the FEC following exposure to this block; these were replaced
with NMMB for the remaining 10wks. In the fenbendazole
trials, the FMB5 treatment produced rapid reduction in FEC
relative to the control (P=0.062) and a high ADG (230g), ex-
ceeding that of control calves (170g) (P=0.002). Additional tri-
als corroborated that FMB5 access was associated with high-
er predicted ADG (200g) compared to control calves (150g)
(P=0.005). All farming families experiencing use of the blocks
confirmed their animals were healthier with minimal parasites,
they were easier to manage, plus they wished to purchase
the blocks. Registration of molasses supplementation blocks
in Laos has now occurred and sales of commercial blocks
have commenced.
Conclusions: Provision of block supplements to large ru-
minants in Laos, especially lactating cows, enabled animals
to maintain and even increase weight during the dry season
when lactation occurs. Block supplementation also enabled ef-
ficient administration of endoparasite medication to large rumi-
nants. Improved utilisation of low-quality forage and control of
endemic parasitism, offers important opportunities for increas-
ing large ruminant production efficiency. There is an emerg-
ing challenge to food security in providing more sustainable
livestock systems in a climate emergency world. Significant
improvements in cattle production efficiency means fewer an-
imals required with shorter time periods necessary to achieve
marketable levels of beef; one of several strategies that may
help mitigate the impacts of beef production on greenhouse
gas emissions from agriculture.
Keywords: Molasses-blocks, supplementation, anthe-
mintics, cattle, buffalo
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
190
HH-20
Veterinary consulting on dairy farms with high rearing
losses
Martina Hoedemaker, Johanna Sophie Dreyer, Anika Korte, Ina
Gaude.
Clinic for Cattle, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover,
Hannover, Germany.
Objectives: Although the causes and risk factors for loss-
es in youngstock are well known, apparently this area does
not receive enough attention on many dairy farms. This might
explain that calf mortality has not changed over the years quite
often reaching values on farm level between 10% and 20%.
It was the aim of the following study to analyse the rearing
conditions on dairy farms with high rearing losses, to identify
problem areas and provide extensive advice to the farmers. In
addition, the success of veterinary consulting should be evalu-
ated during a second farm visit and the reasons for non-imple-
mentation of measures should be recorded.
Material and Methods: Fifty-six dairy farms in Lower Sax-
ony, Germany, participated in the study. Inclusion criteria were
at least 30 dairy cows and rearing losses of > 20%. Rearing
losses were defined as number of calves recorded as live an-
imals in the National Data Base which died within the first 6
month of live devided by the total number of calves recorded
as live animals within a given time period. A questionaire was
filled out together with the farmer followed by a farm inspection
covering 10 different areas (calving management, newborn
calf care, colostrum management, separation from dam, milk
feeding, weaning, calf housing, heifer feeding, heifer housing,
general monitoring of animals). The farmers received a thou-
rough assessment and recommendations for improvements.
Eight to 10 month after the first visit, the farms were visited
again and analysed in the same way as during the first visit. In
addition, the adoption of recommended measures was record-
ed. In case of non-implementation, the farmers were asked
for reasons. Calf mortality was assessed during the intervall
between the two farm visits and compared with the same time
intervall in the preceding year to account for seasonal effects.
Results: Overall, 180 variables in the 10 different areas
were analysed and evaluated whether or not good practices
were fullfilled. The majority of farms (> 50%) performed only
42.8% of management measures accepted as good practice.
Specific problem areas were newborn calf care, colostrum
management, hygienic condition of calf housing and calving
area as well as documentation and biosecurity. Overall, 250
different measures were recommended. Of those, 20.8% were
not adopted at all; 40.8%, 30.0% and 8.4 % were adopted
with a frequency of < 30 %, 30 to 80% and > 80%, respec-
tively. Recommendations which were not adopted very well
were hygienic measures in the calving and heifer areas and
management measures considering calf health (vaccination,
treatment, etc.). The acceptance was greater for measures
dealing with the hygiene of milk feeding, calving management,
newborn calf care, feeding of calves before weaning includ-
ing colostrum management, and calf housing. On farm level,
the mean frequency of adopted measures was 25.1%+10.4%
(4.0% to 53.2%). The most frequent reasons for non-imple-
mentation were „not practicable“ (19.9%), „to time consuming“
 ORAL — Herd Health Management, Smart Farming and Economics
(13.7%) and „not promising“ (12.9%). Even though the selec-
tion criterium was > 20% calf mortality at the time of random
selection of the farms, calf mortality in the control time period
was < 10% on 14 farms (26.4%), > 10% to < 15% on 14 farms
(26.4%), > 15% to < 20% on 12 farms (22.6%) and > 20% on
13 farms (24.5%), respectively. Overall, the calf mortality did
not change, improve or got worse in 28.3%, 49.1% and 22.6%
of the farms, respectively.
Conclusion: Dairy farms with high rearing losses do not
follow good practices primarily in the areas of newborn calf
care, colostrum management and hygiene of calf and calving
cows areas. With about 25%, the adoption of recommended
measures was fairly low. Also, the success of a one time con-
sultation was only mediocre. Even though 49.1% of the farms
could lower calf mortality, it increased on 22.6% of the farms
during the study period. Obviously, rearing management rep-
resents a complex time and personell intensive part on dairy
farms. The tasks often are difficult to predict leading to a high
risk of calf mortality. A continuous expert advice appears to be
necessary in order to achieve long-term and sustained suc-
cess.
Keywords: dairy farms, calf mortality, veterinary consul-
tation.
HH-21
Implementation of precalving vaccination programme
against rotavirus, coronavirus and enterotoxigenic E. coli
(F5) and effect on dairy calf survival
Dagni-Alice Viidu, Carmen Kuningas, Kerli Mõtus.
Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia.
Introduction and objectives: Calves are born agamma-
globulinemic and during the first weeks of life their resilience
to infections depends on the extent of passive immunity ac-
quired from colostrum. Diarrhea is one of the most common
diseases and cause of death in neonatal calves whereas ro-
tavirus is often reported as the most prevalent viral cause of
diarrhea. Vaccinating cows and heifers before calving increas-
es the level of pathogen-specific antibodies in the colostrum
and enhances passive immunity potentially gained by the calf,
however, the effect of precalving vaccination with trivalent vac-
cines on calf survival has not been thoroughly investigated.
The current study aimed to investigate the implementation of
the precalving vaccination programme against rotavirus, coro-
navirus and enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (F5 antigen) in
Estonian dairy farms and its effect on calf survival.
Materials and methods: The study included 13 dairy cow
herds (herd size ranged from 242 to 2,457 cows) that applied
precalving vaccination against bovine rotavirus, bovine coro-
navirus and enterotoxigenic E. coli (F5) (defined as PV). For
each herd a questionnaire was filled out where the information
about the vaccination procedures and calf feeding practices
were asked. Farms were divided into correct and incorrect us-
ers (CU and ICU, respectively) of the PV based on the compli-
ance with the product directions of use and colostrum feeding
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
practices. To qualify as a CU the farm had to vaccinate all cows
and heifers 3-12 weeks before expected calving and feed the
calves whole milk from vaccinated fresh (up to four days in
milk) cows at least during the first two weeks of calves´ life.
In order to analyse the effect of PV on calf survival the
survival analysis was used comparing calf mortality rates in
pre-vaccination (V-) and vaccination (V+) periods by using the
registry data of Estonian Agricultural Registers and Information
Board. The V+ period begun one month after the farm started
vaccinating their animals and lasted for one year. The V- peri-
od was determined as exactly one year prior to V+ period. The
start of the calf-level observation period started with birth or
start of the observation period for calves that were born before
the start of the observation period to account for left trunca-
tion. Calf-level observation period ended with either reaching
21 days of age or end of the observation period due to selling,
slaughtering or death (euthanasia or unassisted death). Un-
assisted death and euthanasia (on-farm mortality) were con-
sidered as event of interest and observations that ended with
selling, slaughtering or survival until the end of the study pe-
riod were right censored. On a herd level, calf mortality rates
were calculated as number of deaths per 100 calf-months for
V- and V+ period. Farms were enrolled to the analysis only if
they ear-tagged their calves during the first 4 days of life. The
number of calf-based observations was 14,610 in the analysis.
Results: Six herds met the requirements of CU and seven
farms were classified as ICU. Four out of the seven ICU farms
did not vaccinate heifers and six fed the calves whole milk
collected from vaccinated fresh cows for seven days or less.
In four out of the six CU farms, calf mortality rate decreased
significantly during the V+ period compared to V- period. In
one CU farm calf mortality rate was higher and in one CU farm
it remained unchanged in V+ period compared to V- period.
Average calf mortality rate over six CU farms was 17.08 per
100 calf-months during V- period (95% CI 15.85; 18.41) and
11.56 per 100 calf-months during V+ period (95% CI 10.64;
12.57). On average, calf mortality rate decreased among the
CU farms during the V+ period compared to V- period (hazard
ratio (HR) = 0.66, 95% CI 0.59; 0.74, p < 0.001) according
to the mixed-effects Cox regression model (herd included as
random effect).
Conclusions: The study revealed that vaccination proto-
cols and practices of feeding calves colostrum from vaccinat-
ed cows vary in the farms. Also, we confirmed a positive field
effect of PV on dairy calf survival in the herds that followed
vaccination directions and fed calves colostrum from fresh
cows at least during the first two weeks of life.
Keywords: Precalving vaccination, lactogenic immunity,
calf scours, mortality.
191
ORAL — Herd Health Management, Smart Farming and Economics
HH-22
Cow behavior predicts and monitors calving diseases along
the transition period
Doron Bar1, Gilad Factor1, Eran Friedman1, Johan De Meulemeester1,
Monika Ptaszynska2.
Allflex Livestock intelligence, Netanya, Israel; 2MSD Animal Health,
1
Milton Keynes, United Kingdom.
Objectives: Calving diseases are a major problem in most
dairy herds, negatively influencing cow welfare and dairy eco-
nomics. Rumination behavior proved to be a good predictor of
some calving diseases. New generation of these monitoring
technologies are now able to describe the behavior of cows
in a more detailed way (adding e.g. eating, resting, activity,
etc.) The objective of this study was to characterize behavior
of cows along the transition period by their health status, to
improve the ability to characterize normal behavior of healthy
cows and deviations from this behavior.
Material & Methods: We analyzed the behavior of a total
of 1,553 cows calving in 8 farms in Israel, between February
2019 and November 2019. Farms were from various geo-
graphical locations, but similar in their feeding management
(Total Mixed Ration [TMR]) and cow sheds (open, covered,
dry compost barns). Calving events (i.e. twins, stillbirths, milk
fever, retained placenta, metritis or endometritis, ketosis, and
left displaced abomasum [LDA]) were recorded by the farmers
and in addition, all cows were checked by a trained veterinari-
an between 6 to 12 days after calving. These data were stored
in the Israeli cattle breeder association herd management soft-
ware. The behavior of cows (the major activity in each min-
ute) was obtained from a monitoring system (Sensehub Dairy,
Allflex livestock intelligence) and summed to a total minutes
per day. After initial descriptive statistics which is beyond the
scope of this abstract, we present here the average effect of
each major calving event in the last 10 days before calving
and in the first 10 days of the lactation. Total minutes ruminat-
ing, eating, resting, or expressing high activity per day were
dependent variables in mixed effect models (using the lme4
package in the R Foundation for Statistical Computing soft-
ware) containing the day relative to calving day, calving event
or diseases as fixed effects and cow nested in farm and parity
as random effects.
Results: Last 10 days before calving: Cows with milk fever
or retained placenta had a significant reduction (P<0.01) in the
time spent ruminating days before the events happened. A sig-
nificant reduction (P<0.01) in eating time and high activity time
was observed in cows suffering later from stillbirth or ketosis,
these cows had also a significant increase (P<0.01) in resting
time in the last 10 days before calving.
First 10 days after calving: Cows with retained placenta,
metritis or endometritis, ketosis, or with left displaced aboma-
sum had a significant (P<0.001) decrease in rumination, eat-
ing, and high activity time. These cows had also a significant
(P<0.001), substantial (~25%) increase in the time spent rest-
ing in the first 10 days after calving.
Conclusion: The finding of this study demonstrates the
ability to identify cows developing one of the calving diseas-
es early, thus possibly reducing their negative impact on cow
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
192
welfare and farm profitability. Early identification of such cows
before clinical signs are visible also faces the bovine practi-
tioner with the challenge of how to best handle such cows. In
addition, analyzing herd cow’s behavior along the transition
period, might provide insight into weak points and serve as an
objective tool to monitor improvements.
Keywords: Dairy cattle, behavior, calving diseases, mon-
itoring.
HH-23
Can an ATP bioluminescence meter be used as a cow-side
tool for the evaluation of bacterial contamination of bovine
colostrum?
Geert Hoflack1, Pleun A.A. Penterman2, Geert Vertenten2, Bart
Sustronck1.
MSD Animal Health, Brussels, Belgium; 2MSD Animal Health,
1
Boxmeer, Netherlands.
Objectives: Bovine neonates are born agammaglobuli-
naemic and rely on the absorption of immunoglobulins from
colostrum shortly after birth. This absorption of immunoglob-
ulins from the colostrum can, unfortunately, be hampered by
a high bacterial load of the colostrum. Hence, strict hygienic
procedures when collecting, storing and feeding colostrum are
of paramount importance for a good transfer of passive im-
munity in bovine neonates. The adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
bioluminescence meter has been advocated as a simple and
useful tool for the evaluation of the degree of contamination
of surfaces and liquids. The aim of the present study was to
examine whether an ATP bioluminescence meter can be used
as a cow-side tool to assess the degree of contamination of
bovine colostrum and thus indirectly evaluate the hygiene ap-
plied during the collection, storage, and administration of co-
lostrum on farms.
Materials & Methods: A total of 162 colostrum samples
were collected from 88 different cattle farms in The Nether-
lands and Belgium. Samples of approximately 100 ml were
collected immediately before the colostrum was fed to the
calves. All samples were stored at -20°C until processing. The
degree of bacterial contamination (total bacterial cell count)
was determined using a Bactoscan™ FC+ (FOSS, Denmark)
automatic bacterial count reader. The ATP bioluminescence,
expressed as the number of relative light units (RLU) for each
colostrum sample, was obtained using a SystemSURE Plus
meter (Hygiena™, California, USA). On each occasion, the
mean of three consecutive ATP bioluminescence measure-
ments was calculated and used for analysis. The relationship
between the total bacterial count of colostrum and the ATP
bioluminescence relative light units of colostrum was investi-
gated with a Spearman’s rank correlation. Statistical analysis
was performed in R (R Core Team 2017).
Results: Samples originated from HF dairy cows (n= 86)
or from Belgian Blue beef cows (n= 76). The median total bac-
terial cell count of the colostrum samples was 7.000 CFU/ml
and ranged from 4.000 to 1.000.000 CFU/ml. The median ATP
 ORAL — Herd Health Management, Smart Farming and Economics
bioluminescence of the colostrum samples was 255,00 RLU
(range 1,00 – 2486,67 RLU).
The total bacterial cell count of colostrum and the ATP
bioluminescence of colostrum were negatively correlated
(ρspearman= -0,27; CI95% [-0,4 to -0,2]; p < 0,001).
Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that ATP
bioluminescence measurements of colostrum cannot be used
to evaluate the hygiene of the procedures applied during the
collection, storage, and administration of bovine colostrum.
Keywords: Cattle, Colostrum, ATP bioluminescence, Total
bacterial count.
HH-24
Dutch HF cow colostrum quality based on IgG concentration
and total bacterial cell count
P.A.A. Penterman1, G. Hoflack2, G. Vertenten1, F.H.J. Van Hagen3,
W.A. Schaap4, Bart Sustronck2.
1
MSD Animal Health, Boxmeer, Netherlands; 2MSD Animal Health,
Brussels, Belgium; 3Slingeland Dierenartsen, Varsseveld, Netherlands;
4
DGC Bekenland, Gelselaar, Netherlands.
Objectives: Because immunoglobulins cannot cross the
epitheliochorial placenta of the cow during gestation, calves
rely on the passive transfer of immunoglobulin G (IgG) through
consumption of sufficient amounts of high quality colostrum
within the first hours after birth. Besides by the concentration
of IgG, colostrum quality is also determined by its bacterial
contamination. To our knowledge, no recent data concerning
the colostrum quality of Dutch Holstein Friesian (HF) cows
are available. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to as-
sess the colostrum quality from Dutch HF cows using different
methods. The second aim of the study was to evaluate the
influence of farm and veterinary practice on colostrum quality.
Materials & methods: Two large Dutch veterinary practic-
es participated in this field study. 86 Dutch HF colostrum sam-
ples were collected at the time of first colostrum feeding on 19
different commercial dairy farms. For the quantification of the
IgG’s in colostrum, a commercial competitive ELISA-test kit
(BIO K420, MonoScreen QuantELISA Immunoglobulin Easy,
Bio-X Diagnostics S.A., Rochefort, Belgium) was used. Indi-
rect evaluation of the IgG concentration of the colostrum sam-
ples was performed using a digital Brix refractometer (Milwau-
kee Refractometer MA871, Milwaukee Instruments Inc., NC,
USA). On each occasion, the mean of three consecutive Brix
refractometric measurements was calculated and used for
analysis. The relationship between the IgG concentration and
the Brix value of colostrum was investigated with a Pearson’s
correlation. The total bacterial cell count (TBCC) of the colos-
trum samples was determined using a bactoscan automatic
bacterial count reader (Bactoscan™ FC+, FOSS, Denmark).
The relationship between the IgG concentration and the TBCC
of colostrum was evaluated using a Spearman’s rank correla-
tion. All statistical analyses were performed using R software
(R Core Team, 2017).
Results: The number of colostrum samples collected per
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
herd ranged from 2 to 5. The colostral IgG concentrations and
the colostral Brix values followed a normal distribution with a
mean of 53,19 ± 17,61 g IgG/l (range: 14,14 – 63,07 g Ig-
G/l) and 21,10 ± 4,21 % (range: 9,33 – 29,27 %), respective-
ly. The TBCC of the colostrum samples ranged from 4.000 to
1.000.000 CFU/ml with a median of 9.000 CFU/ml. Further-
more, 38,1% of the colostrum samples had an IgG concentra-
tion below 50 g/l and/or a TBCC exceeding 100.000 CFU/ml.
A significant positive correlation was found between the IgG
concentration and the Brix value of colostrum samples (rpearson=
0,65; CI95% [0,51 to 0,76]; p < 0,001). The colostral IgG con-
centration and the TBCC of the colostrum were negatively cor-
related (ρspearman= -0.30; CI95% [-0,49 to -0,09]; p = 0,005). The
mean IgG concentration (48,30 ± 18,71 g IgG/l) and the mean
Brix value (19,90 ± 4,4 %) of the colostrum samples from prac-
tice A were both below the recommended threshold of 50 g
IgG/l and 22 %, respectively. Compared to practice A, the co-
lostrum samples from practice B had a significantly higher IgG
concentration (58,68 ± 14,65 g IgG/l; p= 0,01) and Brix value
(22,45 ± 3,59 %; p < 0,001). The non-parametric comparison
of the TBCC of the colostrum samples revealed significant (p <
0,001) differences between the two practices (median practice
A : 16.000 CFU/ml [range: 4.000 – 1000.000 CFU/ml] , median
practice B : 6.000 CFU/ml [range: 4.000-1.000.000 CFU/ml]).
The mean colostral IgG concentration was lower than the 50
g IgG/l threshold in 8 out of 19 farms. Only 10 out of 19 farms
had a mean colostral Brix value of at least 22%. The medi-
an TBCC of the colostrum samples was higher than 100.000
CFU/ml in 3 out of 19 farms. Between the farms, obvious dif-
ferences were observed. Certain farms (n=3) consistently pre-
sented poor-quality colostrum (IgG below 50 g/l and / or TBCC
above 100.000 CFU/ml) results, whereas other farms (n=4)
showed colostrum samples that all were of good-quality.
Conclusion: The results of this field study indicate that
the colostrum quality of Dutch HF cows in general is rather
poor, with nearly 40% of all samples not meeting the minimal
requirements for good-quality colostrum. The differences ob-
served between the veterinary practices could indicate that in
some practices more attention is paid to the colostrum man-
agement compared to others. Farm level analysis, however,
indicates that focused attention on certain farms may be nec-
essary.
Keywords: Dutch dairy cattle, Colostrum quality, IgG ELI-
SA, Brix refractometer, Bactoscan.
HH-25
Association between prepartum nonesterified fatty acids
serum concentrations and postpartum diseases in dairy
cows
Isabella Nicola1, Hervé Chupin1, Jean-Philippe Roy1, Sébastien
Buczinski2, Véronique Fauteux1, Nicole Picard-Hagen3, Roger Cue4,
Jocelyn Dubuc1.
1
Université de Montréal, Saint Hyacinthe, Canada; 2Université de
Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Canada; 3Université de Toulouse, Toulouse,
France; 4McGill University, Ste-Anne-De-Bellevue, Canada.
193
ORAL — Herd Health Management, Smart Farming and Economics
Objectives: The objective of the present study was to
evaluate the association between prepartum nonesterified
fatty acids (NEFA) concentrations and development of post-
partum diseases and culling occurring during the first 50 days
in milk (DIM). A secondary objective was to identify optimal
thresholds allowing identification of animals at greater risk of
diseases or culling.
Materials and methods: We conducted a prospective
cohort study over a 1-year period on 50 commercial Holstein
dairy farms that were regular clients of the Bovine Ambulatory
Clinic of the Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire of the Université
de Montréal (St-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada). Herds were select-
ed by convenience based on being enrolled in a preventive
veterinary medicine program involving herd health visits ev-
ery 14 days, and on being willing to participate. At every herd
visit, blood samples were taken from all cows within 35 days
(±7) of subsequent predicted calving date. The samples were
centrifuged (3,500 rpm x 10 minutes) and sera were stored at
-20°C. After calving, the number of days between sampling
and calving were calculated. Cows sampled between 1 and
14 days before calving were included in the study; their serum
samples were submitted for quantification of NEFA concentra-
tions. Data about diseases occurring during the first 50 DIM
were collected. Disease definitions were standardized during
the study and included: retained placenta (RP; ≥24 hours after
calving); hyperketonemia (HK; BHBA ≥1.4 mmol/l) during the
first 15 DIM; puerperal metritis (MET) during the first 20 DIM
(fetid watery vaginal discharge with general signs of illness);
displaced abomasum (DA) during the first 30 DIM; clinical
mastitis (CM) in the first 30 DIM (milk aspect alteration with or
without quarter swelling, with or without fever/anorexia); puru-
lent vaginal discharge (PVD) at 35 ± 7 DIM inspected with a
Metricheck device (threshold ≥ 3 based on McDougall et al.,
2007), cytological endometritis (CYTO) measured at 35 ± 7
DIM with a leucocyte colorimetric test (threshold ≥ 1). Diseas-
es were diagnosed by veterinary practitioners except for RP
and mild or moderate case of CM. Descriptive statistics and
multivariable mixed logistic regression models were comput-
ed. Diseases and culling were considered to be the dependent
variables of each model. Independent variables included pre-
partum NEFA serum concentration, parity, and season of calv-
ing. Herd was also included in the models as random variable.
At first, NEFA concentrations were offered to the models as a
continuous variable. Subsequently, for variables with signifi-
cant correlation with NEFA, NEFA concentrations were dichot-
omized in order to find the optimal thresholds using non-nest-
ed models (lowest AIC value).
Results: A total of 1,299 cows were included in the study.
The incidence of diseases was 10% for RP, 20% for HK, 16%
for MET, and 7% for DA, 13% for PVD, 40% for CYTO, 9%
for CM, 3% for culling. Overall, 47% of cows had experienced
at least one disease during the first 30 DIM. In the study, the
NEFA concentration was associated with a greater risk of de-
veloping every individual disease for RP, HK, MET, DA and CM
(P<0.05); with a greater risk of developing any of the aforemen-
tioned diseases in the first 30 DIM (P<0.05); and with a greater
risk of being culled in the first 50 DIM (P<0.05). Based on the
lowest AIC value from non-nested models, the optimal NEFA
thresholds were ≥290 µEq/L for RP (OR 2.2, 95%CI: 1.5-3.1;
P<0.01), ≥280 µEq/L for HK (OR 2, 95%CI 1.5-2.7; P<0.01),
≥300 µEq/L for MET (OR 4.0, 95%CI: 2.7-5.7; P<0.01) , ≥300
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
194
µEq/L for DA (OR 4.2, 95%CI: 2.9-6.1, P<0.01), ≥ 280 µEq/L
for CM (OR 3.4, 95%CI: 2.2-5.3, P<0.01), ≥ 260 µEq/L for cull-
ing (OR 4.7, 95%CI: 2.2-10, P<0.01).
Conclusions: These study results confirm the association
between prepartum NEFA serum concentrations and post-
partum diseases (30 DIM) and culling (50 DIM). The optimal
thresholds found in the present study were similar to those
reported elsewhere. No association was found between NEFA
and PVD or CYTO, in accordance with previous studies. We
can conclude that prepartum NEFA thresholds of ≥280 can
help to identify animals at greater risk of developing diseases
in the first 30 DIM or being culled in the first 50 DIM.
Keywords: Nonesterified Fatty Acids, Post-partum dis-
eases, Clinical mastitis.
HH-26
Relationship of nonesterified fatty acids with automated
health-monitoring system variables and blood metabolic
profile parameters in dairy cows
Dovile Malasauskiene1, Mindaugas Televicius1, Ramunas Antanaitis1,
Vida Juozaitiene2.
LUHS VA Large animal clinic, Kaunas, Lithuania; 2LUHS VA
1
Department of animal breeding, Kaunas, Lithuania.
Objectyves: The aim of this study was to assess the de-
pendence of changes in nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) on
lactation number and to assess the relationship of NEFA with
automated health-monitoring system biomarkers (AMS) vari-
ables and parameters of the blood metabolic profile in dairy
cows.
Materials and methods: The study was conducted on 105
clinically healthy cows of Lithuanian Black and White breed.
Cows were grouped by lactation number: 1 (n = 30), 2 (n =
60), 3 (n = 15) and NEFA level: NEFA <0.3 (n = 67) and NEFA
≥0.3 (n = 38) (James K. Drackley, 2000). All samples for NEFA
were analyzed using an automated wet chemistry analyzer
(Rx Daytona, Randox Laboratories Ltd, UK) with using re-
agents (Rx Daytona, Randox Laboratories Ltd, UK). Blood se-
rum parameters, including NEFA, aspartate aminotransferase
(AST), albumines (ALB), and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT)
were examined using the Hitachi 705 analyser (Hitachi, Ja-
pan), and DiaSys reagents (Diagnostic Systems GmbH, Ger-
many). Cortisol level was measured using the fluorescence
enzyme immunoassay method by Tosh Corporation AIA-360
(USA). Milk yield (MY), progesterone and beta-hydroxybutyr-
ate (BHB) were registred from AMS Herd Navigator (LattecI/S.
Hillerød. Denmark) in combination with a DeLaval milking ro-
bot (DeLaval Inc. Tumba. Sweden).
Results: The average NEFA value for all cows was 0.145
± 0.013 (95% CI = 0.120-0.171). The study showed that
(NEFA) tends to increase with increasing lactation (y = -0.019x
+ 0.1808; R2 = 0.9998, P <0.001).The average NEFA value
in primiparous cows (0.162 ± 0.034) was 12.04% lower com-
pared with lactation 2 cows and 23.46% lower compared to
lactation 3 (P <0.05). Analysis of the estimated indicators by
 ORAL — Herd Health Management, Smart Farming and Economics
level of NEFA indicated statistically higher values of albumins
(ALB) (41.61%, P <0.001), aspartateaminotransferase (AST)
(26.37%, P = 0.05), γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT) (48.21%, P
= 0.04) and a lower value of milk yield (MY) (20.72). %, P =
0.015) in cows of the NEFA group ≥0.3 compared to the group
of NEFA <0.3.NEFA values ​​were reliably correlated with serum
ALB (r = 0.446, P = 0.001), AST (r = 0.292, P = 0.032), MY
(r = 0.296, P = 0.05) and milk progesterone (r = 0.371, P =
0.006) and were negatively associated with GGT (r = - 0.298,
P = 0.028).
Conclusions: Acording our study NEFA concentration
has tendency to change on different lactation number. Highest
NEFA concentration affect the concentration of some blood
serum parameters. Our study showed that lower NEFA levels
were associated with higher productivity and lower cortisol lev-
els in blood of dairy cows.
Keywords: NEFA, dairy cows, health management.
HH-27
A description of colostrum quality on Scottish dairy farms
and risk factors associated with poor colostrum quality
Alexandra Haggerty1, Colin Mason2, Kathryn Ellis3, Katharine
Denholm3.
The University of Glasgow/The Stewartry Veterinary Centre, Glasgow/
1
Castle Douglas, United Kingdom; 2The Scotland's Rural Colleges,
Dumfries, United Kingdom; 3The University of Glasgow, Glasgow,
United Kingdom.
Objectives: Poor colostrum quality is a major risk factor for
failure of passive transfer (FPT) in neonatal dairy calves. FPT
contributes to high incidences of calf morbidity and mortality
as well as more long-term detrimental effects on productivi-
ty (DeNise et al., 1989; Tyler et al., 1999; Faber et al., 2005).
The two main measures of colostrum quality are immunoglob-
ulin (IgG) concentration and bacterial contamination (total bac-
teria counts (TBC) and coliform counts (TCC)). Brix refractom-
etry measures the total solids in colostrum by refraction of light
and is highly correlated with IgG concentration (a threshold
of 22% is used to indicate adequate quality)  (Quigley  et al.,
2013; Deelen et al., 2014). US industry guidelines for bacterial
contamination of colostrum state that TBC should not exceed
100,00CFU/ml and TCC should not exceed 10,000CFU/ml
(McGuirk and Collins, 2004). The objectives of this study were
to:
• measure IgG concentration and bacterial contamina-
tion of colostrum at point of feeding to neonatal dairy
calves.
• establish risk factors for poor colostrum quality on
Scottish dairy calves.
Materials and Methods: Thirty-eight farms in the Stir-
lingshire, Lanarkshire and Dumfries and Galloway regions of
Scotland were enrolled between February and June 2019. A
farmer questionnaire was completed by interview, detailing co-
lostrum management practices. Two hundred and fifty-two co-
lostrum samples were collected by trained farm staff at point of
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
feeding. For each sample, Brix refractometry (Brix) was used
to estimate IgG concentration and TBC and TCC were carried
out using plate counts and PetrifilmsTM respectively.
Brix, TBC and TCC were dichotomized to form categorical
outcome variables either falling below, or exceeding industry
thresholds and multi-level logistic regression models were
constructed using farm as a random effect.
Results: Results for IgG concentration showed 111/252
samples, (44.05 %) were below 22% Brix and 77/252 (29.76 %)
and 50/252 (19.84 %) exceeded the TBC and TCC thresholds
respectively. When industry recommendations, in terms of Brix
% and bacterial contamination, were considered only 99/252
(39.29%) met all the criteria.
Colostrum harvested from dams more than six hours after
calving was half as likely to exceed the Brix threshold of 22%
(reflective of adequate IgG concentration) (OR=0.47, 95%CI
= -1.65–0.12, p = 0.09) compared with colostrum harvested
less than six hours after calving. Furthermore, colostrum that
was left in the collection bucket as opposed to being stored
or fed immediately post-harvest was found to be 28.09 times
(estimate = 3.34; 95%CI = 0.66–6.00) more likely to exceed
TBC thresholds compared with colostrum that did not sit in a
collection bucket post-harvest (p = 0.014).
Conclusion: A large proportion of colostrum samples
(60.71%) failed to meet Brix thresholds, bacterial thresholds or
both. Colostrum management strategies can be a risk for poor
colostrum quality. Timing of colostrum harvest post calving
was associated with a colostrum Brix <22%, and time spent
in the bucket prior to feeding or storing was associated with a
TBC exceeding 100,00CFU/ml. Poor colostrum quality could
have significant impacts of calf health and welfare.
References:
Deelen, S. M. et al. (2014) ‘Evaluation of a Brix refractome-
ter to estimate serum immunoglobulin G concentration in neo-
natal dairy calves’, Journal of Dairy Science. American Dairy
Science Association, 97(6), pp. 3838–3844. doi: 10.3168/
jds.2014-7939.
DeNise, S. K. et al. (1989) ‘Effects of Passive Immunity on
Subsequent Production in Dairy Heifers’, Journal of Dairy Sci-
ence. Elsevier, 72(2), pp. 552–554. doi: 10.3168/jds.S0022-
0302(89)79140-2.
Faber, S. N. et al. (2005) ‘Case Study: Effects Of Colos-
trum Ingestion on Lactational Performance1’, The Professional
Animal Scientist. Elsevier, 21(5), pp. 420–425. doi: 10.15232/
S1080-7446(15)31240-7.
McGuirk, S. M. and Collins, M. (2004) ‘Managing the pro-
duction, storage, and delivery of colostrum’, Veterinary Clinics
of North America - Food Animal Practice, pp. 593–603. doi:
10.1016/j.cvfa.2004.06.005.
Quigley, J. D. et al. (2013) ‘Evaluation of the Brix refrac-
tometer to estimate immunoglobulin G concentration in bo-
vine colostrum’, Journal of Dairy Science. Elsevier, 96(2), pp.
1148–1155. doi: 10.3168/jds.2012-5823.
Tyler, J. W. et al. (1999) ‘Partitioning the mortality risk
associated with inadequate passive transfer of colostral im-
munoglobulins in dairy calves.’, Journal of veterinary internal
medicine / American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
John Wiley & Sons, Ltd (10.1111), 13(4), pp. 335–337. doi:
10.1111/j.1939-1676.1999.tb02191.x.
195
ORAL — Herd Health Management, Smart Farming and Economics
Keywords: Colostrum, Brix, Bacteria, Risk Factors.
HH-28
The carry-over effect of heat stress during late pregnancy on
production and functional traits in the offspring generation
Kipp Cordula1, Brügemann Kerstin1, Zieger Peter2, Mütze Katja3,
Möcklinghoff-Wicke Sibylle4, König Sven1.
Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Giessen,
1
Giessen, Germany; 2Diamond V, Cedar Rapids, United States; 3Hessian
Association for Performance and Quality Tests in Animal Breeding e.
V., Alsfeld, Germany; 4Innovation Team Milk Hessen, Friedrichsdorf,
Germany.
Due to climate change, heat stress (HS) for dairy cows fre-
quently arises. HS has tremendous unfavorable direct effects
on dairy cow traits. Additionally, the negative long-term effect
of in utero HS on birth weight, fertility and performance in the
offspring generation under hot climate conditions have been
observed. Regarding this background, the aim of this study
was to analyze the carry-over effect of HS in terms of the av-
erage temperature-humidity-index (THI) during the last eight
weeks of pregnancy on offspring performances.
In this regard, we considered a comprehensive dataset in-
cluding Hessian Holstein dairy cows from calving years 2003
to 2013. THI was merged with fat content measured on first test
day (fat%; N=171,150), non-return-rate after 56 days of first
insemination (NRR56; N=94,981), calving to first insemination
interval after first calving (CFI; N=134,885), productive life (PL;
N=119,599) and lifetime productivity (LTP; N=119,634).
For THI 50–59 and THI ≥ 60 least squares means for fat%
were substantially lower (4.21 % and 4.20 %, respectively)
than for THI ≤ 39 and THI 40–49 (4.24 % and 4.23 %, respec-
tively) (P < 0.0001). Moreover, offspring of mothers exposed
to THI ≥ 50 had a lower ability to conceive than offspring of
mothers exposed to THI ≤ 49 (80 % and 81 %, respective-
ly) (P < 0.0318–0.0454). Calving to first insemination interval
(P < 0.0001) and PL (P < 0.0001) in the offspring generation
were also significantly negative affected (CFI: THI ≤ 39: 88
days, THI ≥ 60: 91 days, PL: THI ≤ 39: 915 days, THI ≥ 60:
889 days). Offspring of mothers, exposed to average THI
≥ 60, produced 18,137 kg milk during life. In comparison, off-
spring of mothers, who experienced THI-values ≤  39 during
late pregnancy, produced 18,422 kg (P > 0.0375). Epigenetic
modifications triggered in the uterus can explain this long-term
influence on the offspring.
Due to this detrimental effect across generations, an opti-
mized heat management during dry period is recommended
to create optimal conditions in uterus for the fetus and thus,
set the base for best possible performance of the offspring in
adulthood and improved longevity.
Keywords: In utero heat stress, dry period, fetus.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
196
HH-29
Fresh cow’s diseases prevalence and consequences in 42
Spanish Dairy Farms
Marcello Guadagnini1, Noureddine Charfeddine2.
1
Elanco Animal Health, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy; 2Confederación de
Asociaciones de Frisona Española (CONAFE), Valdemoro (Madrid),
Spain.
Objectives: The transition period is the most important
part of the lactation cycle for dairy farms profitability (Over-
ton T. 2001). Most diseases occur during the first month of
lactation (Leblanc S. et al., 2006) and can have a big im-
pact on productivity. CONAFE, supported by Elanco Animal
Health, started in 2015 a new project called “I-SA” on health
traits monitoring with the aim of improving herd management
and genetic selection. The scope of this data analysis is to in-
crease the knowledge about fresh cow’s diseases prevalence
in Spanish dairy herds, understand their risk factors and im-
pact on milk production.
Materials and Methods: 42 Spanish dairy herds across
the country have been voluntary enrolled into a fresh cow’s
diseases data collection. Diseases occurrence have been re-
corded by the farmer and transferred to the local DHI associ-
ation. Records include 18,043 lactations with 3 years calving
dates from 2016 to 2018. Attempts to reach disease recording
standardization have been made by providing disease defi-
nitions to farmers and suggesting to involve farm vets in dis-
ease diagnosis. Occurrence of the following diseases have
been recorded throughout the first 68 days in milk (DIM),
the highest 2nd test limit: Displaced Abomasum (DA), Clinical
Mastitis (MAST), Retained Placenta(RP) and Metritis(METR).
Other information proceed from the DHI database: herdcode,
birthdate, calving date, parity, somatic cell count (SCC) and
milk production at first and second test, BHB levels at first test
(except for 3 farms), 305 days milk production. First tests be-
tween 5 and 25 DIM having BHB levels >0,1 mmol/liter have
been considered as Ketosis (Viña C. et al., 2017, Renaud D.
L. et al., 2019); first tests having >200 000 SCC/ml have been
considered as Subclinical Mastitis (Ruegg P. 2017). Other
variables were created: first calving age in categories, esti-
mated cumulative production of the first 68 DIM (ICAR 2002).
Descriptive statistics and multivariate models have been used
to describe disease prevalence, determine risk factors and
quantify concequeces on milk production. Statistically signif-
icant results were identified using a p<0.05.
Results: The dataset is composed by 33% first lactation
animals (parity 1), 27% second lactation (parity 2) and 39%
≥3 lactations (parity 3+). Mean age at first calving was 25.3
months, with farm averages ranging between 23.4 and 28
months. Mean clinical diseases prevalence during the first
68 DIM was 3.11% for DA (0.76-7.73%) 4.58% for MAST (0-
35.91%), 8.50% for RP (1.21-20.90%), 10.29% for METR
(0.56-30.94%). Ketosis prevalence was 23%, with a farm
prevalence range 4.55-50%. 31% of the farms (n=12) had a
Ketosis prevalence greater than 25%. Subclinical mastitis at
first test (5-35 DIM) was 21%. Statistically significant differ-
ences across parities were found for the risk of: DA (3+ vs.
2, Relative Risk (RR)=1.73 and 3+ vs. 1, RR=1.94), MAST
(3+ vs. 2, RR=1.86 and 3+ vs. 1, RR=2.24), RP (3+ vs. 2,
 ORAL — Herd Health Management, Smart Farming and Economics
RR=1.36; 3+ vs. 1, RR=1.61; 2 vs 1, RR=1.17), METR (3+ vs.
2, RR=1.23 and 2 vs. 1 RR=0.80), Ketosis (3+ vs. 2, RR=1.23;
3+ vs. 1, RR=2.18; 2 vs 1, RR=1.33) and Subcl. Mastitis (3+
vs. 2, RR=1.99 and 3+ vs. 1, RR=1.92). Age at first calving cat-
egories had a correlation with Ketosis risk (>27mo vs. <24mo,
RR=1.80) and Subclinical Mastitis risk (>27mo vs. 24-27mo,
RR=1.22 and >27mo vs. <24mo, RR=1.36).
Production losses at first test for ketotic cows vs. non-ketot-
ic cows were 1.7 kg for lact=1 and 1.3 kg for lact>1 (p<0.0001).
Production losses on 68 DIM cumulative production were 478
kg for DA, 179 kg for MAST, 163 kg for RP and 140 Kg for
METR (p<0,0001). 305d milk losses were 725 kg for DA, 651
kg for MAST, 302 kg for RP and 173 Kg for METR (p<0.0001).
Ketosis has not been included in the 305d milk model, as the
proper way to analyze ketosis lactational impact on milk pro-
duction is a testday model, which could not be built with cur-
rently available variables (Gröhn Y. et al. 1999).
Conclusions: Once again, transition cow’s diseases im-
portance have been demonstrated. Proper recording and
analysis can increase our knowledge of the real prevalence at
farm and country level, improve understandings of risk factors,
estimate production losses and, finally, lead to a better transi-
tion management and genetic selection.
Keywords: Transition period, Dairy, Diseases, Spain.
HH-30
Comparison between general and analytical results account
in three Galician dairy farms. A descriptive evaluation
Xosé Ramón Botana1, Juan Cainzos2.
AIRA Sociedad Cooperativa Galega, Taboada, Spain; 2Elanco Animal
1
Health, Greenfield, IN, United States.
Objectives: With the aim of evaluate the economic result
and the main areas of improvement, economic management
programs have been implemented in Galician dairy farms.
These economic evaluations are mainly based on the devel-
opment of the general income statement (CRG) of the dairy
farm activity based on General Accounting Plan 2007 (Real
Decreto 1514/2007, PGC) procedures. However, development
of an analytical income statement (CRA) allowing the differen-
tiation of the economic results of the main economic activities
present in dairy farms (Dairy – milk yield, Land - agricultural
production (corn and grass silage), and Rearing - replacement
heifers) was proposed. So, the objective of this study was to
verify if this analytical accounting could provide useful infor-
mation in the economic management of dairy farms compared
with the income statement not split by sections.
Materials and methods: Three dairy farms (A, B, C) lo-
cated at Lugo province (Spain) with different business mod-
els were selected. Farm A is a dairy farm with intensive man-
agement system, containing an average of 113 milking cows
in production, 1,23 million of liters sold and 56 hectares of
land. Heifers were reared by an external company. Farm B is
a cooperative dairy farm with intensive management system,
containing an average of 218 milking cows in production and
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
2 million of liters sold. They owns 149 hectares of land and
heifers were reared into the farm. Farm C is a ATC* dairy farm
(*Agrarian Transformation Company ) with intensive manage-
ment system, containing an average of 110 milking cows in
production and 1,1 million of liters sold. They owns 60 hect-
ares of land and heifers were reared by an external company.
For the analysis of their economic results, both the CRG
and the CRA were performed in the three dairy farms during
2018, following the principles of the PGC. In the CRA, the
income and expenses corresponding to each of the defined
sections (dairy, land and rearing) were allocated, so that we
obtain three independent income accounts. The necessary in-
formation is obtained from the following sources: Invoices of
expenses and income of the companies, official accounting
of farms, ReproGTV® (on-farm dairy management software)
and Gescarro® (RMH® TMR software). All information is pro-
cessed using the Excel 2016® program.
Results: The results of the general accounting for the
three farms indicated that all of them obtained positive benefits
during fiscal year 2018:
• Farm A: € 46.158 net profit, € 37,75 /1.000 liter of SCM*
sold (*Solid Corrected Milk: 4.0% fat, 3.3% protein) and
a net sales benefit of 7.7%.
• Farm B: € 95.147 net profit, € 47,60 /1.000 liter of SCM
sold and a net sales benefit of 9.7%.
• Farm C: € 32.403 net profit, € 29,95 /1.000 liter of SCM
sold and a net sales benefit of 6.9%.
However, the CRA analysis indicated that the result of the
different sections evaluated was independent of the overall re-
sult, and also variable among the 3 dairy farms. Thus, in farm
A and C the sections Dairy and Land have yielded benefits (€
31.147 and € 2.283 for milk; € 24.457 and € 39.827 for Land,
respectively), while the Rearing section has been deficient for
both (€ -9.446 and € -9.707, respectively). In farm B the Land
and rearing sections have yielded benefits (€ 135.202 and €
12.229, respectively), while the dairy section caused losses (€
-52.284 ).
Conclusions: Implementation of the CRG is an essential
tool to evaluate the economic result of the farm in general, as
well as to know the structure of expenses and incomes. This
evaluation helped us to visualize the CRA benefits to identify
areas of improvement that CRG can not identify, due to the
fact that results of some sections can mask the results of oth-
ers.
Keywords: Dairy,account,galician,economic,results.
HH-31
Use of a real-time location system to detect cows in distinct
functional areas within a barn
J. M. Chapa1, L. Lidauer2, A. Berger2, M. Ohlschuster2, T. Potrusil2, M.
Sigler2, W. Auer2, M. Azizzadeh3, M. Drillich1, M. Iwersen1.
1
Clinical Unit for Herd Health Management in Ruminants, University
Clinic for Ruminants, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary
Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna,
197
ORAL — Herd Health Management, Smart Farming and Economics
Austria; 2Smartbow/Zoetis LLC, Weibern, Austria; 3Department of
Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University
of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
Objectives: Automated monitoring of animals by use of
various sensor technologies is already used for many decades
on dairy farms. Recent research and development of new sen-
sor technologies and features aim to further improve animal
health, welfare, and management procedures. Modern sensor
technologies allow, among others, the tracking of animals in
real-time in a barn. This can be used, for example, to estimate
the time an animal spend at relevant ‘functional areas’ such as
the feed bunk, cubicles, or alleys. The resulting data can then
potentially be used as early indicators for disease, discomfort
and to estimate the welfare status of an animal.
In this field study, we tested the real-time localization sys-
tem (RTLS) of a commercially available system (SMARTBOW,
Smartbow/Zoetis LLC, Weibern, Austria) to detect animals
in predefined functional areas. The system consists of an
ear-attached accelerometer that sends low-frequency signals
to receivers, which transmit the data to a local farm server.
Based on the incoming data of individual animals, the server
software triangulates the location of an animal within the barn
in real-time. The objective of this study was to determine the
accuracy of the system to predict the location of the cow and
the agreement between visual observations (VO) and RTLS
observations for the total time spent by cows in relevant areas
of the barn.
Material and methods: The study was conducted in May
2019 on a commercial dairy farm in Austria, housing approx-
imately 35 Brown Swiss cows. The SMARTBOW (SB) tags
were attached to the left ears of the animals. In advance of
the study, functional areas of interest (i.e. the feed bunk, cubi-
cles, and alleys) were predefined in the software of the sensor
system. Cows were video recorded for three consecutive days
using 9 digital cameras (DS-2CD2642FWD-IZS, Hikvision,
Hangzhou, China). From these recordings, approximately 1
h was selected randomly each day for every cow (3 d × 35
cows). For each minute of an hour, animal position within a
specific functional area was visually observed and labeled by
use of specialized software for video analyses (Mangold Inter-
act, Mangold International GmbH, Arnstorf, Germany). Data
of the video observations (VO) served as gold standard in this
study. A total of 6,030 pairs of location data, derived from VO
and the SB system, were used for statistical analyses. Cate-
gorical data were used to estimate the agreement between the
two methods. For each functional area of interest, the sensitiv-
ity (Se), specificity (Sp), and accuracy (Acc) were calculated.
The total time spent (min/h) per cow in the specific areas was
analyzed using Spearman correlations.
Results: Overall, a Cohen´s kappa of 0.78, indicating a
‘substantial agreement’, between VO and SB was obtained.
Se and Sp were determined for locating the cows in the alley
(74.0 and 91.2%), feed bunk (93.5 and 86.2%), and cubicle
(90.5 and 83.3%), respectively, and overall accuracy of 87.6%.
The correlation between VO and SB for the ‘total time’ an an-
imal spent within an hour in alleys, at the feed bunk, and in
cubicles was ‘good’ to ‘strong’ with correlation coefficients of
0.82, 0.98, and 0.92, respectively.
Conclusions: Overall, the real-time localization feature
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
198
from SB was successful in predicting the position of an ani-
mal in a specific functional area. The estimated times, which
an animal spent per hour in these specific areas were good.
Future research should focus on, whether these times could
be used as early indicators for disease, discomfort and to esti-
mate the welfare status of an animal.
Keywords: Animal tracking, dairy cow, precision dairy
farming, real-time location system, time budget.
HH-32
Application of Culling Form reveals patterns of dairy cow
culling reasons
Kerli Mõtus, Tarmo Niine.
Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia.
Objectives: Culling dairy cows often occur as a result of
several, possibly related health issues however the registra-
tion forms for culling reasons are mostly not designed to cap-
ture the chain of the health problems that eventually lead to
culling. The aim of this study was to develop and implement
a Cow Culling Form (CCF) to reveal diseases or conditions
resulting with culling, and their combinations. Also, farmers´
behaviour in marking culling reasons was analysed.
Materials and methods: The CCF developed to capture
the culling reasons of cows slaughtered and dead on-farm was
based on the Certificate of Death developed by McConnel and
Garry (2017). It registered the general information of the cow,
asked the respondent to list all diseases or conditions that
could predispose or result in cow slaughter or death together
with the time of onset and details about recovery. Also, it was
asked to list all diseases the cow suffered in the ongoing lacta-
tion (date of onset, diagnosis, overall treatment protocol) and
describe other problems or chronic diseases / conditions the
cow had. Respondent was also asked to mark the culling rea-
son that was inserted to the Estonian Livestock Performance
Recording Ltd (ELPR) database for the culled cow.
In eight dairy farms, CCF was completed for every culled
cow within the 12 months period. All completed CCFs were
interpreted by the authors and were coded into underlying
(disease or condition which initiated the possible chain of con-
secutive diseases or problems), intermediate, immediate (se-
quentially the last disease or disorder due to which the cow
died or was sent for slaughter), and influential culling reasons
(other diseases or problems that were outlined by the respon-
dent as being related with culling but were not considered to
be biologically related with other culling reasons). Based on
the CCF data, culling code including three culling reasons (im-
mediate, intermediate/influential and underlying) was created
for each cow applying the extended coding system developed
by McConnel and Garry (2017).
Results: The mean number of cows in eight study herds
was 383 cows (range 126-564). The mean yearly cow culling
rate of the study farms was 31.8% (range 23.0-40.7%) and the
average on-farm mortality was 9.3% (range 3.7-18.5%).
Altogether, 686 and 250 CCFs of slaughtered and dead
 ORAL — Herd Health Management, Smart Farming and Economics
cows were analysed in this study, respectively. Out of 686
slaughtered cows 14 (2.0%) were culled due to voluntary rea-
sons, i.e. due to low milk yield only.
The number of unique three-reasons culling codes were
261 for slaughtered cows and 119 for cows that died on-farm.
The most frequently identified underlying culling reasons in
slaughtered cows were generic lameness (20% of slaughtered
cows), impaired fertility (19.1%), abortion (9.8%), mastitis
(8.5%), leg injury (5.8%), sole ulcer (4.2%) and metabolic dis-
orders (3.8%). For the dead on-farm cows leg injury (14.8%),
liver pathology (12.0%), milk fever (7.2%), generic lameness
(7.2%), intestine inflammation (5.2%), mastitis (4.8%), dys-
tocia (4.4%), sudden death (4.0%), displaced abomasum
(3.6%), uterine torsion (3.2%), metabolic disorders (3.2%) and
ketosis (2.8%) were identified most often as underlying culling
reasons.
In general, the culling reason marked into the ELPR da-
tabase more often concured with the underlying culling rea-
son (72.6% and 63.6%) than with immediate reason (62.5%
and 61.2%) identified from the CCFs of slaughtered and dead
cows, respectively.
Conclusions: In general, herds that were included in the
study had relatively high culling and mortality rates. Only neg-
ligible proportion of culls were voluntary reflecting deteriorated
cow health and welfare also restricting the economic return of
dairy farming.
Improved registration of culling reasons is needed to sup-
port informed herd-based decisions. Diagnosis tree, together
with more broader disease categories, should be available in
the recording systems to capture the relevant details related
with death and slaughter. It is imperative to identify the trig-
gering diseases or conditions to help to break the chain of se-
quential diseases that eventually cause culling. A tool which
provides guidance to farmers through recording all important
diseases and disorders, associated with culling, could be de-
veloped.
Acknowledgements: Authors are grateful to all farm-
ers and veterinarians who were involved in this study. This
work was supported by Estonian Research Council Grant
(PSG268).
Literature: McConnel, C., Garry, F., 2017. Dairy cow mor-
tality data management: the dairy certificate of death. Bov.
Pract. 51, 64–72.
Keywords: Dairy cow, slaughter, death, causes, data reg-
istration.
HH-33
Association between rumination patterns detected by an
ear-tag based accelerometer system and rumen physiology
in dairy cows
Anne Simoni1, Felix König1, Karina Weimar1, Andrew Hancock2,
Christian Wunderlich3, Marcus Klawitter3, Thomas Breuer3, Marc
Drillich1, Michael Iwersen1.
Clinical Unit for Herd Health Management in Ruminants, Universitiy
1
Clinic for Ruminants, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna,
Austria; 2Zoetis International, Dublin, Republic of Ireland; 3Zoetis
Deutschland GmbH, Berlin, Germany.
Objectives: Rumination is an essential part of the physiol-
ogy of dairy cows. In this context, rumination activity is consid-
ered as a useful indicator for early detection of diseases and
metabolic disorders.
The accelerometer-based sensor system SMARTBOW
(SB, Smartbow/Zoetis LLC, Weibern, Austria) provides health
alerts based on individual thresholds of rumination patterns
in dairy cows. Detailed knowledge about the association be-
tween sensor-based rumination patterns and rumen physiol-
ogy would help to interpret the clinical significance of rumina-
tion alerts. To the authors knowledge, no research has been
carried out into the interaction between rumination alerts and
changes of rumen fluid in dairy cows. These results could lead
to a better interpretation of sensor-based rumination alerts.
Material & Methods: The study was conducted between
April and October 2021 on a conventional dairy farm in the
north of Germany, housing approximately 1900 Holstein-Frie-
sian cows fitted with SB ear tags. According to our study 102
cows were matched in pairs based on the appearance of a
rumination alert (ALRT) vs. no rumination alert (NALRT) and
the lactation status. NALRT cows had to meet health criteria
including a rectal temperature of <  39.5 C° and no signs of
lameness (Sprecher >2). SB algorithms provided an ‘acute ru-
mination alert’ and a ‘long-time rumination alert’ which were
presented in Smartbow software and sent to a mobile device.
A rumination alert was considered as valid if it persisted for at
least 12 h, and the sample of rumen fluid was collected within
the first 12 h of the alert.
Rumen fluid was taken twice using an oral stomach tube
(SELEKT Rumen Fluid Collector, Nimrod Veterinary Products,
Moreton-in-Marsh, UK). The first extraction (Ex1) was per-
formed at the beginning of the alarm and the second extraction
(Ex2) after the end of the alarm. The cows’ status (ALRT vs
NALRT) of each sample was blinded prior to examination by
replacing the animals’ identification number with a sample
number randomly assigned by a second person.
The following parameters were examined in each sam-
ple: (1) rumen pH and redox potential by a portable electronic
pH-meter (G1501 Serie, GHM Group Greisinger, Regenstauf,
Germany; pH electrode GE 114-WD; redox electrode GR 175
BNC), (2) duration of methylene blue reduction time and sed-
imentation/flotation time, (3) microscopic evaluation of proto-
zoa in a counting chamber (Fuchs-Rosenthal, Paul Marienfeld
GmbH & Co.KG, Lauda-Königshofen, Germany).
To investigate potential differences in rumen physiolo-
gy parameters between ALRT and NALRT, the rumen fluid
parameters of the groups were compared at both extraction
times (Ex1 and Ex2) by the Mann–Whitney U-test. For the
detection of changes in rumen physiology within each group
during the extraction period, rumen fluid parameters between
Ex1 and Ex2 were compared for each group by related-sam-
ples Wilcoxon signed-rank test.
Results: The rumen parameters: pH, redox potential,
methylene blue reduction time and sedimentation/flotation
time differed significantly between ALRT cows and their NAL-
199
ORAL — Herd Health Management, Smart Farming and Economics
RT counterparts at Ex1 (P < 0.01). In contrast the number of
protozoa showed significant differences between groups at
Ex1 and Ex2 (P < 0.01). No differences were apparent for
the other parameters at Ex2. The rumen fluid parameters of
ALRT cows reached alignment with the values of their NALRT
partners during the extraction period, except for the number
of protozoa. Furthermore, ALRT animals differed in all rumen
fluid parameters within the extraction period (P < 0.01) while
those of NALRT cows remained constant.
Conclusions: The rumen fluid parameters were within
the physiological ranges for ALRT and NALRT cows at both
extraction times, but a higher variation was in ALRT cows at
Ex1 was found. Higher variations in rumen fluid parameters of
cows with rumination alerts could indicate a higher vulnerabil-
ity to rumen health disorders. Considering the regeneration of
protozoa to be a continuous process, protozoa were not able
to fully replicate themselves until Ex2, which justifies the differ-
ence existing between ALRT and NALRT animals at Ex2. The
collection of rumen fluid shows snapshots of rumen physiolo-
gy in matched cows during and after rumination alert. Further
research might focus on continuous measurement options for
detecting rumen fluid parameters of cows at different health
levels.
Keywords: Rumen fluid, rumination time, health alert, ru-
men disorders, accelerometer.
HH-34
Single and combined quality and quantity criteria of bovine
colostrum and factors affecting them
Aikaterini Soufleri1, Georgios Banos2, Nikolaos Panousis3, Georgios
Arsenos1, Georgios E. Valergakis1.
1
Laboratory of Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,
School of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124
Thessaloniki, Greece, Thessaloniki, Greece; 22Laboratory of Animal
Husbandry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, School of Health Sciences,
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece/
Scotland's Rural College/Roslin Institute, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK,
Thessaloniki, Greece; 3Clinic of Farm Animals, Faculty of Veterinary
Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki,
54124 Thessaloniki, Greece, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Objectives: Colostrum administration ensures passive
transfer of immunity to newborn calves. The common rec-
ommendation is to provide colostrum of adequate quality
(IgG≥50g/L, Brix value ≥22%) and quantity (4kg), as soon as
possible after calving. The objective of this study was to eval-
uate the effect of various management and cow factors on co-
lostrum quality and quantity.
Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in 10
commercial dairy herds in Northern Greece, from February
2015 to September 2016. A total of 1,013 Holstein cows and
their calves were included in the study. All cows were milked
completely 232±195 minutes after calving, colostrum yield
was recorded and a sample was collected. A Brix refractome-
ter was used cowside to measure % total solids (TS); IgG con-
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
200
centration was calculated according to published equations.
Body weight of calves was estimated using a heart girth tape.
For each cow, records regarding calendar season and age
at calving, milk yield of previous lactation, dry period length,
time interval between calving and colostrum collection (TI) and
body condition score (BCS) at calving were available. Target
colostrum criteria were: a) colostrum TS content ≥22% (indic-
ative of IgG content ≥50g/L), b) colostrum yield ≥4kg, c) 200g
IgG in ≤4kg of colostrum and d) IgG quantity equal to 0.5% of
calf body weight in ≤4kg of colostrum. Criteria (a) and (b) are
individual colostrum traits while criteria (c) and (d) combine
quality and quantity traits and represent practical recommen-
dations regarding colostrum administration to newborn calves.
Effects of calendar season, age at calving, milk yield of pre-
vious lactation, dry period length, TI and BCS on colostrum
criteria were assessed with univariate general linear models.
Farm was fitted as a random effect and all other factors as
fixed ones in the models.
Results: Target values were not met by 18.3%, 25.4%,
23.5% and 19.8% of samples, for the 4 criteria, respectively.
Farm (P<0.05), age at calving (P<0.05) and TI (P<0.05) had
a significant effect on all criteria. Older cows produced colos-
trum of better quality and in higher quantities. When TI was
longer, colostrum yield was higher but quality was lower. Ade-
quate IgG quantity (≥200g and ≥0.5% of calf body weight) in a
target colostrum quantity (≤4kg) was easier to achieve when
TI was shorter. Autumn was the season with the highest quali-
ty (criterion a, P<0.05) but colostrum yield (criterion b, P<0.05)
was low. Adequate IgG quantity (≥0.5% of calf body weight) in
a target colostrum quantity (≤4kg) was more difficult to achieve
during winter (criterion d, P<0.05). Previous lactation milk yield
(P<0.05) and BCS at calving (P<0.05) had a positive signif-
icant effect only on colostrum yield (criterion b). Dry period
length had a significant positive effect on colostrum yield (cri-
terion b, P<0.05) but a negative one (P<0.05) on criterion c;
adequate IgG quantity (≥200g) in a target colostrum quantity
(≤4kg) was more difficult to achieve when the dry period length
was >85 days.
Conclusions: Milking cows immediately after calving is a
highly beneficial practice, resulting in colostrum of best quan-
tity and quality combined, in most cases. Negative effects on
colostrum quality associated with season, age at calving and
dry period length were identified; however, they are inevitable
under practical farm conditions. Recommended management
practices (stock of frozen colostrum) can help overcoming
them. The consistent effect of farm on all colostrum criteria
necessitates the investigation of management factors asso-
ciated with it.
Keywords: Dairy cow, colostrum quality.
 ORAL — Herd Health Management, Smart Farming and Economics
HH-35
Factors affecting the skeletal muscle reserves during the
transition period in Holstein cows
Nektarios Siachos1, Nikolaos Panousis2, Georgios Oikonomou3,
Georgios E. Valergakis1.
1
Laboratory of Animal Husbandry, Veterinary Faculty, Aristotle
University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece; 2Clinic of Farm
Animals, Veterinary Faculty, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki,
Thessaloniki, Greece; 3Institute of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Health
and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Neston, United Kingdom.
Objective: Association of dairy cow energy balance during
the transition period with health status and performance has
been thoroughly investigated. On the other hand, research on
protein balance during the same period is limited. The objec-
tive of this study was to assess factors affecting protein bal-
ance, expressed as skeletal muscle tissue reserves, during
the transition period in Holstein cows.
Materials and methods: Two-hundred and thirty-eight
multiparous cows in different parities (2: n=101; 3: n=72; 4+:
n=65) from 6 Holstein dairy farms were included in this cohort
study. Body condition score (BCS) and longissimus dorsi mus-
cle thickness (LDT) of each cow was assessed at 7 time-points
relative to calving: -45d; -21d; -8d; 0d; +8d; +21d and +28d, by
the first author. Cows were scored for BCS on a 5-point scale
with 0.25-unit increments; LDT was measured by ultrasonog-
raphy, using a 5.0-7.5 MHz linear transducer. The probe was
placed perpendicular to the vertebral column on the transverse
process of the 4th lumbar vertebra, using ultrasound gel as a
couplant. When a clear image was captured, LDT was mea-
sured at the site of the larger diameter of the muscle between
the fasciae. Cows were classified as thin (BCS <3.00), normal
(BCS 3.00–3.50) or fat (BCS >3.50) at their first assessment.
The fixed effects of herd, time-point, parity, dry period dura-
tion, milk production of previous lactation, BCS_class, and the
interactions of herd, BCS_class and parity with time-point on
LDT measurements were assessed with repeated measures
linear mixed models, accounting for the random variation of
each cow’s measurements. Factors with non-significant ef-
fects at the P>0.20 level, were excluded from the final model.
The appropriate covariance structure was selected resulting in
the lowest Akaike’s information criterion value. Analysis was
performed with IBM SPSS v.25.
Results: On a descending F-value order, time-point,
BCS_class, herd, BCS_class × time-point interaction, herd ×
time-point interaction, parity and parity × time-point interaction
had significant effects on LDT measurements. The effect of
dry-period duration, although non-significant (P=0.144), re-
mained in the final model as a covariate. On average, cows
gained ca. 5% (P<0.001) muscle thickness from -45d (esti-
mated marginal mean ±se: 34.0mm ±0.4) until -21d (estimat-
ed marginal mean ±se: 35.4mm ±0.4). Between -21d and
-7d, LDT practically stabilized (estimated marginal mean ±se:
35.2mm ±0.4). Then, they lost ca. 26% (P<0.001) muscle
thickness until +21d (estimated marginal mean ±se: 26.0mm
±0.4); LDT measurements appeared to stabilize again until
+28d (estimated marginal mean ±se: 25.6mm ±0.4). Fat cows
had significantly higher LDT measurements than normal and
thin ones from -45d up to 0d and +7d, respectively, meaning
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
that fat cows mobilized at the same time proportionally more
muscle reserves than normal and thin ones. Moreover, signif-
icant differences were detected among herds in each time-
point. Differences among parities were more obvious during
the dry period.
Conclusions: Negative protein balance of transition Hol-
stein dairy cows begins pre-partum and lasts until about 3
weeks post-partum. Mobilization of muscle reserves differed
among parities, body condition scores and herds. Determina-
tion of specific herd factors affecting its variation is an essen-
tial step in developing appropriate management measures.
Keywords: Longissimus dorsi, transition, dairy cattle.
HH-36
Assessing the predictive capacity of a health monitoring
system based on body condition score at the herd level
Ramiro Rearte1, Nicolás Lorenti2, Germán Domínguez3, Rodolfo
Luzbel De La Sota1, Isabel Lacau - Mengido4, Mauricio Javier
Giuliodori1.
1
Instituto de Investigaciones en Reproducción Animal (INIRA),
Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata
(FCV-UNLP), La Plata, 30, Argentina; 2Actividad privada, Brandsen,
Buenos Aires, 2, Argentina; 3Actividad privada, Venado Tuerto, Santa
Fé, 4, Argentina; 4Comisión Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y
Tecnológicas (CONICET), CABA, 30, Argentina.
Objectives: The objectives of the current study were: 1- to
define the herd threshold for cows with poor body condition
based on its predictive capacity for disease risk at the herd
level, and 2- to estimate the impact measures on disease rates
due to body condition indicators in the transition period.
Material and methods: Data from two commercial graz-
ing dairy herds (Herd A=5,034 and herd B=7,965 lactations)
from Buenos Aires Province, Argentina were used to per-
form a longitudinal retrospective study during a 4-year peri-
od (January 2014-December 2017). Health, reproductive and
body condition score (BCS) records were gathered. The BCS
(5-point scale) was performed by farm personnel at calving
(C-BCS), and at the end of the voluntary waiting period (40
and 50 days in milk [DIM] in herds A and B, respectively) by
one of the authors. The difference between both measures of
BCS was used to assess the change in body condition loss
(∆BCS). All the cows not bred by 70 DIM were checked for
anestrus (AN [yes/no]; defined as the absence of corpus lute-
um and a flaccid uterus). For herd monitoring, calving cohorts
of 21-day were defined at each HERD (A or B) and PARITY
(primiparous vs. multiparous cows) through the entire study
period. The frequency of cows with CBCS<3 or ∆BC>-0.5
(BC%) at each cohort were calculated and used to define po-
sition measures (quartiles) through the whole study period, at
each HERD and PARITY level. Quartiles were used, one at
a time, as the threshold to dichotomize the cohorts (i.e.; over
and above threshold) to predict the risk that a cohort has a fre-
quency of AN over the median. The sensibility (SE), specificity
(SP), area under the curve (AUC), and odds ratios (OR) for
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ORAL — Herd Health Management, Smart Farming and Economics
each threshold were estimated, and the higher AUC was used
as selection criterium to determine the herd level threshold at
each HERD and PARITY level. Another visual approach was
performed for herd monitoring by calculating the population at-
tributable fraction (AFP) of anestrus rate to body condition indi-
cators at each cohort, for every HERD and PARITY level. The
AFp was calculated from the adjusted risk ratio that was esti-
mated by adjusting a stratified logistic model, for each HERD
and PARITY level, which explain AN by main categorical pre-
dictor of body condition status (CBC<3 or ∆BC>-0.5; yes/no),
and adjusted by calving season, calving year, and parity.
Results: According to the AUC, the herd threshold in prim-
iparous cows was the 2nd quartile (BC%= 6%, [AUC=0.679;
OR=4.545; SE=69.2%; SP=66.6%]) in Herd A. Providing that
these cohorts having more than 6% of cows with poor BCS
had 4 times higher odds for having anestrus rates over the
herd median, the predictive capacity is moderate due to the
estimated AUC, Se and Sp. Similarly, the 2nd quartile (BC%=
74%) in primiparous cows was defined as the herd threshold
in Herd B [AUC=0.673; OR=1.485; Se=66%; Sp=68%]. Re-
garding multiparous cows, the herd threshold was set in the
3rd quartile (BC%= 20%, [AUC=0.574; OR=2.212; Se=81.5%;
Sp=33.3%] in Herd A, and in the 1st quartile in Herd B (BC%=
78%, [AUC=0.611; OR=3.448; Se=37%; Sp=85%]).
The 21-day anestrus rate in primiparous and multiparous
cows was higher in herd B than in herd A. In herd A, the median
AFp in multiparous was 0.36 [Inter Quartile Range (IQR)=0.58],
which means that around 36% of anestrus events would have
been avoided if no cows would have poor BCS (assuming a
causal relationship between BCS and anestrus). On the other
hand, multiparous cows in Herd B, most of the time anestrus
events were fully explained by the BCS (median AFp=0.98;
IRQ=0.51). However, in those cohorts where anestrous inci-
dence was high, the AFp decreased in both herds.
Conclusions: We concluded that indicators of BCS are
associated with the risk for anestrous at the herd, but their
application as a monitoring tool has a limited predictive capac-
ity. Therefore, other exploratory models such as those using
impact measures (e.g.; AFp) could represent a more useful
approach for monitoring performance during the transition pe-
riod at the herd level.
Keywords: Body condition score, Anestrus, Herd monitor-
ing, Dairy cows.
HH-37
Comparative case of Automated Health Monitoring and
Health Scoring systems for dairy suckling calves
Eran Friedman1, Doron Zahavi1, Dan Navon1, Elimelech Schreiber1,
Hagen Wile1, Brandt R Kreuscher2, Juan Pedro Campillo1.
1
Allflex Livestock Intelligence, Netanya, Israel; 2Allflex Livestock
Intelligence, Madison, Wisconsin, United States.
Objectives: Calf health control is one of the biggest chal-
lenges for dairy farms. Dairy producers have now access to
new technologies to monitor the health of suckling calves,
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
202
improving proper health management. The aim of the follow-
ing trial was to compare the efficacy of an automated health
monitoring system vs an intensive standardized health scoring
system in a US dairy nursery.
Materials & Methods: For 9 months, a total of 586 fe-
male calves were monitored from 1-2 days of age until day
90, at weaning. The animals were reared in single hutches
and were nipple fed. An ear monitoring tag (Allflex® Livestock
IntelligenceTM) was applied to automatically monitor the health
of each calf. The tag monitors the calf’s behavior on a min-
ute-by-minute basis and uses a proprietary algorithm to cal-
culate an individual health index every hour. The health index
values range from 40 to 100. The lower the value, the more
severely sick the calf is. All monitored calves were also evalu-
ated daily using a modified Wisconsin scoring system. Data on
milk refusals, treatments, and mortalities was also captured.
Rectal temperature was additionally measured for calves with
one or more of the following: milk refusal, a total respiratory
score equal or greater than 4, a fecal score of 2 or 3. Based on
the collected health records, each Sickness Event evaluated
with the modified Wisconsin scoring system was classified as
mild, moderate, or severe. Mild cases were not considered for
treatment. Farm and trial personnel were blinded to all data
calculated by the automated monitoring system.
Results: From the standardized health scoring evaluation,
522 calves (89%) had at least one sickness event, and 265
calves (45%) had at least one moderate or severe sickness
event. Average length of sickness events was 2.6 days. Ac-
cording to the automated monitoring system, average of the
minimal daily health index (HI) was 97.51±0.02 for healthy
days. Average of the minimal daily HI was 85.54±0.40,
82.03±0.52, and 78.76±1.65 for mild, moderate, and severe
sickness events, respectively.
As the user can tune the desired sensitivity, the perfor-
mance of the automated health monitoring system was eval-
uated using a HI score of 86 as a low sensitivity threshold for
sickness (86-T), and 90 as a high sensitivity threshold (90-T).
For 86-T, overall sensitivity and specificity were 63.6% and
96.9%, respectively. Sensitivity for mild, moderate, and severe
cases was 56.7%, 73.3%, and 77.3%, respectively. For 90-T
overall sensitivity and specificity were 75.7% and 92.4%, re-
spectively. Sensitivity for mild, moderate, and severe cases
was 71.1%, 82.2%, and 84.1%, respectively. Detection time
(requiring continuous alert by the system) relative to treatment
time by the farmer was 11 and 16 hours earlier for 86-T and
90-T, respectively. Severe cases detection time relative to
treatment time by farmer was 27 and 37 hours earlier for 86-T
and 90-T, respectively.
Conclusions: Our results indicate that the automated
monitoring system (Sensehub Dairy, Allflex® Livestock Intel-
ligenceTM) equals or betters an intensive health management
system, while enabling to reduce the dependency on skilled
labor. In addition, it provides the health index value that re-
flects the calf’s sickness severity. Thus, providing another tool
to improve health management and decision making.
Keywords: suckling calves, health index, monitoring,
dairies.
 ORAL — Herd Health Management, Smart Farming and Economics
HH-38
Changing the Course of Fresh Cows by Using Objective
Monitoring
Travis Towns1, Brandt Kreuscher1, Juan Pedro Campillo2.
Allflex Livestock Intelligence, Madison, Wisconsin, United States;
1
Allflex Livestock Intelligence, Madrid, Spain.
2
Objectives: The implementation of an effective postpar-
tum health control program is probably one of the main man-
agement goals of dairy farms. It is estimated that approximate-
ly 75% of disease in dairy cows typically happens in the first
month after calving (LeBlanc et al., 2006). Conditions such as
ketosis, metritis, endometritis, displaced abomasum, and re-
tained placenta have a direct negative impact on reproductive
performance and milk yield during the current lactation. Choice
and efficacy of postpartum health screening methods depend
on many factors including farm size, labor experience, and fa-
cilities. Visual observation is probably the most often used but
is not always accurate or efficient. The aim of this study was to
evaluate the impact of using insights from an automated mon-
itoring system (Allflex® Livestock IntelligenceTM) on postpar-
tum cow health by measuring milk yield performance at week
4 post-calving in a commercial dairy farm in the US.
Materials & Methods: In May 2019, a US Midwest dairy
farm, milking approximately 5,500 cows implemented the in-
sights generated by an automated monitoring system (Allflex®
Livestock IntelligenceTM) to identify sick animals in the post-
partum period (calving to 4 weeks). Every postpartum cow
was wearing a collar device that monitors cow behavior on a
continuous basis. Based on these data, the monitoring system
calculates a rolling health index (HI), estimating the possible
sickness status based on individual animal pattern changes.
The HI range is from 0 to 100; the lower the value the more
probability of animals being sick. This system provides the
user with a health report listing animals with a Health Index be-
low 86 to be checked for sickness. Prior to May 2019, the post-
partum group was locked up daily for individual visual health
observation; body temperature was checked only if animals
were identified as sick by the farm staff. Animals were treated
following the farm protocol. Cows assessed as healthy were
moved to the general lactation pens before passing 4 weeks
post-calving. After the system was installed, only animals in-
cluded in the health report were evaluated in the fresh pen, re-
ducing the time the pen was locked up. The system also iden-
tified cows for whom the movement to the general lactation
pen was too early or otherwise problematic. No other relevant
transition management changes took place except the imple-
mentation of an automated monitoring system. To assess the
impact of this monitoring system on that farm, the average milk
yield and the percentage of cows producing less than 60 lb (27
liters) at week 4 post-calving were evaluated. Only cows in the
2nd or higher lactation that calved during 2019 and with milk
yield data available at week 4 were included in this analysis.
Comparative results pre and post implementing of the system
were analyzed.
Results: The results for 3,501 cows which calved be-
tween January and December were analyzed. Out of 1,707
cows calved between January and June, 183 (10%) did not
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
reach 60lb (27L) at week 4 post-calving. Between July and De-
cember, after the automated monitoring implementation, 1,794
cows calved. Of these, only 29 (1%) failed to reach at least
60lb (27L) at week 4 post-calving.
Average milk yield at week 4 post-calving in cows (≥2 lac-
tations) that calved between January and June was 101.4lb
(45.9L). Cows with 2 lactations produced 103.8lb (47L), and
cows with 3 or more lactations produced 99.5lb (45L). Average
milk yield at week 4 post-calving (>2 lactations) in cows that
calved between July and December was 105.6lb (48L). Cows
with 2 lactations produced 103.5lb (47L) and cows with 3 or
more lactations produced 107.2lb (48.6L).
Conclusion: The results of this study indicate benefits of
implementing an automated monitoring system (Allflex® Live-
stock IntelligenceTM) for postpartum cow health on this particu-
lar farm. Objective health assessment compared to visual ob-
servation reduced labor skills impact and identified sicknesses
earlier, in both the fresh and early lactation groups. This ap-
peared to contribute to an improvement in daily milk yield by
4lb (2.1L) per cow and reduced the percentage of ≥2 lactation
animals that did not reach 60lb (27L) at week 4 post-calving
from 10% (calving from January through June) to 1% (calving
July through December).
Keywords: Postpartum, health, monitoring, fresh cows,
milk yield.
HH-39
Effect of twice vs. thrice milk replacer feeding/day on
productive and health parameters in Holstein calves
Ángel Revilla-Ruiz1, Eduardo De Mercado2, Alejandro Pérez-
Navarro3, Patricia Carulla4, Adrián Ramón-Moragues5, Andrea
López-Saturnino6, M Luz Pérez Solana2, Sonia Pérez-Garnelo2,
Fernando Estellés7, Arantxa Villagrá4, Francisco Sebastián3, Susana
Astiz2.
1
Medicine and Surgery Department, Veterinary Faculty, Complutense
University of Madrid, Puerta de Hierro Avenue s/n, 28040 Madrid,
Spain; 2Animal Reproduction, INIA-CSIC, Madrid, Spain; 3COWVET,
valencia, Spain; 4IVIA, valencia, Spain; 5Facultad de Veterinaria,
UCM, Madrid, Spain; 6Facultad de Veterinaria , UCM, Madrid, Spain;
7
ETSIAMN, UPV, valencia, Spain.
Objectives: The management of calves and their health
from the early stages is a fundamental aspect that can influ-
ence their entire productive life. Nutritional strategies during
lactation are essential to ensure the proper growth of calves
on the farm and their welfare. Historically, calves have been
fed twice a day because producers milked cows twice a day.
However, calves nurse their mothers more than 6 times per
day. Therefore, the objective of this study was to compare two
different nutritional management of dairy calves with an iso-
caloric diet administered twice or three times daily, evaluating
its effect on productive and health parameters, up to 4-4.5m
of age.
Material & methods: The study was carried out in a com-
mercial rearing farm (Cowvet SL) in Valencia, Spain. We in-
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ORAL — Herd Health Management, Smart Farming and Economics
cluded 288 Holstein calves between 5 and 38 days of age at
entry, randomly distributed (block randomization controlling
farm of origin and entry weight) into two feedings per day
“2Fd” group or “3Fd” group, both groups of equal size (n =
144/group). The diet consisted of 6l per day of milk replac-
er without casein, formulated specifically for the farm (7%
protein, 17% fat, 0.1% fiber; 1% calcium; 0.6% phosphorus
and all recommended trace elements and vitamins) until
weaning. The calves had ad libitum starter and water from
the day of entry. The parameters studied were: Weight (kg),
Ultrasonographic score respiratory disease (USRD; 0-5; ac-
cording to Ollivett and Buczinski 2016), backfat thickness by
ultrasound (BF; mm; Schröder and Staufenbiel, 2006) and
calf health score (CHS; 0-21, according to Mahendran et al.,
2017) at three moments: 1) Farm entry (16.9±8.6 days old);
2) Weaning (53.8±3.3d) and 3) Grouping in growing batches
(148.2±27.4d). The average daily weight gain (AWDG; kg/d)
was calculated between moments.
We analyzed the effect between the 2Fd and 3Fd groups
at each time point using non-parametric tests (non-normal
distributed variables). Differences over time and interactions
between factors were assessed with repeated measures
ANOVA, including weight and age at entry as covariates (IBM
SPSS® Statistics v. 25.0). Data are expressed as mean ±
standard deviation.
Results: Age at entry was kept in the model of repeat-
ed measures (P<0.05). We found no significant differenc-
es between the treatments at any moment for Weight (En-
try: 43.5±6.5 vs. 44.1±7.7; Weaning: 63.8±7.4 vs. 64.9±8.8;
Grouping: 163.2±32.3 vs. 162.3±32.9 for 2Fd and 3Fd, re-
spectively); for USRD (Entry: 2.03±0.2, vs. 2±0.2; Weaning:
1.95±0.5 vs. 1.8±0.6; Grouping: 2.1±0.25 vs. 2.1±0.25 for 2Fd
and 3Fd, respectively); for Backfat (Entry: 3.2±0.5 vs. 3.1±0.4,
Weaning: 4.2±0.3, vs. 4.2±0.3, Grouping: 5.4±0.2 vs. 5.5±0.3
for 2Fd and 3Fd, respectively), and AWDG (Entry-Weaning:
0.5±0.2 vs. 0.6±0.2, Weaning-Grouping: 0.8±0.2, vs. 0.8±0.2,
and Entry-Grouping: 1±0.3 vs. 0.9±0.2 for 2Fd and 3Fd, re-
spectively).
The health score (CHS) was significantly (P<0.05) high-
er in the 2Fd group calves (1.8 ± 0.51 vs.1.66 ± 0.57). This
seems to indicate that feeding the calves three times per day
could be associated with a better health condition of the calves
until weaning, but we did not observe any effect of the treat-
ment studied (two vs. three feedings) over time in any other
variable assessed.
Conclusions: The nutritional regimen of three feedings/
day could have a beneficial effect on lung health in rearing
calves until weaning, but this improvement does not induce
higher growth-rates, nor better health rates, long-term.
Funded by CDTI (Centro para el Desarrollo Tecnológico
Industrial; Ministerio de Ciencia e, Innovación; proyecto CD-
TI-IDI-20200936.
References:
Ollivett, T.L., Buczinski, S. 2016. On-Farm Use of Ul-
trasonography for Bovine Respiratory Disease. Vet Clin
North Am Food Anim Pract. 32(1): 19-35. doi: 10.1016/j.
cvfa.2015.09.001.
Schröder, U.J., Staufenbiel, R. 2006. Invited review:
Methods to determine body fat reserves in the dairy cow with
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
204
special regard to ultrasonographic measurement of backfat
thickness. J Dairy Sci. 89(1): 1-14. doi: 10.3168/jds.S0022-
0302(06)72064-1.
Mahendran, S.A., Booth, R., Beekhuis, L., Manning, A.,
Blackmore, T., Vanhoudt, A., Bell, N. 2017. Assessing the ef-
fects of weekly preweaning health scores on dairy calf mortal-
ity and productivity parameters: cohort study. Vet Rec. 181(8):
196. doi: 10.1136/vr.104197.
Keywords: Nutritional Managment, Rearing, Dairy, perfor-
mance.
HH-40
Efficacy of the oral administration of specific
immunoglobulins against e. coli, Rota- and Coronavirus
for the prevention of neonatal calf diarrhea in dairy herds
Olivier Nussbaum1, Richard Eicher2, Josef J. Gross3, Rupert M.
Bruckmaier3.
1
Vet. Practice Abgottspon, Schwyz, Switzerland; 2Clinic for Ruminants,
Division Herd Health, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Berne,
Switzerland, Bern, Switzerland; 3Veterinary Physiology, Vetsuisse
Faculty, University of Berne, Switzerland, Bern, Switzerland.
Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the
efficacy of a concentrate of specific immunoglobulins against
E. coli F5/K99, Rotavirus and Coronavirus (Locatim®) given
orally in addition to the dam`s colostrum to the calves for pre-
vention of Neonatal Calf Enteritis (NCE).
Material & Methods: A total of 489 calves from 35 central
Swiss herds without history of vaccination against NCE were
included: 246 in the LOCATIM® group and 243 in the PLACE-
BO group. Within herds, calves were alternatively given either
60 ml of LOCATIM® or PLACEBO orally shortly before the first
colostrum meal. LOCATIM® is a biological medicament man-
ufactured from colostrum of cows hyper-immunized against E.
coli F5, Rotavirus and Coronavirus, containing high levels of
specific IgG to be given orally to the calf during the first hours
of life. Every calf received the dam’s colostrum according to
the routine practice of the farm.
The farmer registered the clinical scoring of diarrhoea
during the first 14 days of life. Diarrhoea score was defined ac-
cording to following criteria: 0=no diarrhoea; 1=light diarrhoea
without medical treatment; 2=severe diarrhoea requiring oral
treatment; 3=more severe diarrhoea requiring parenteral rehy-
dration or leading to death. Before treatment, a faeces sample
was analysed for the presence of pathogens with a rapid im-
munochromatographic strip test (Speed® V-Diar 4).
A colostrum sample of the first milking was taken by the
farmer. After at least three feedings, blood samples were
taken from each calf by a veterinarian. Blood samples were
analysed for total protein and IgG concentrations as well as
for titers of specific antibodies against Rotavirus and E. coli
F5. Colostrum samples were analysed for total protein and
IgG-levels.
Statistical analyses: Univariable Chi-square analysis
 ORAL — Herd Health Management, Smart Farming and Economics
was performed for diarrhea scores against all explanatory
variables. For the multivariable logistic regression analysis, all
explanatory variables with a univariable Chi-square p-value <
0.15 were included in the starting model. Non-significant vari-
ables were successively withdrawn with backwards elimina-
tion until only variables with a p-value < 0.05 were included.
The titers of the specific antibodies were logarithmically
transformed and means were compared using the Student's
T-test. As the transformed variables were still slightly skewed,
an additional comparison of the median was performed with a
non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis analysis.
Results: In 28 of 35 herds (80%), at least 1 calf had some
kind of diarrhoea. A total of 138 calves (28.2%) suffered from
diarrhoea during our study, 65 calves (13.3%) showed moder-
ate to severe signs of diarrhoea (scores 2/3) requiring treat-
ment. Four calves died in the first two weeks of life (mortality
rate 0.82%). All 4 calves received the placebo.
The proportion of calves with diarrhoea was significantly
lower in the LOCATIM group (21 calves = 8.5%) than in the
PLACEBO group (44 calves =18.1%). The crude Odds Ra-
tio (OR) was 0.42 (p = 0.002). In the final multivariable logis-
tic regression model, the OR was even slightly lower (0.39,
p=0.001).
There were no differences in serum total IgG or specific
antibodies against E. coli F5 and Rotavirus within treatment
groups and between sick or healthy calves.
Conclusion: Even in a region with good general manage-
ment of dairy calves and good overall colostrum quality, the
oral application of a concentrate of specific immunoglobulins
against E. coli F5, Rotavirus and Coronavirus was effective to
reduce the occurrence of NCE. The odds of getting NCE was
statistically reduced (OR = 0.387) in the LOCATIM® group.
As the serum concentrations of IgG and specific antibod-
ies measured 2-3 days after birth were not different between
groups, the hypothesis concerning the mechanism of action for
the clinical difference is that the protective effect was caused
by antibodies present in the "kill zone" of the gut before the
first contamination to support the local immunity in the very
early phase.
Furthermore, the high level of the serum concentration of
specific antibodies was possibly achieved earlier in the LO-
CATIM® group, leading to a more efficient protection against
infection.
From a clinical point of view, the application of a sterile
solution containing high levels of specific antibodies against E.
coli F5, Rotavirus and Coronavirus given orally to the calf be-
fore the first colostrum meal, appears to be a valuable solution
to reduce the risk of neonatal calf enteritis in addition to good
management practices.
Keywords: Calves, Neonatal diarrhea, Prevention, Spe-
cific antibodies.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
HH-41
Cost-benefit analysis of vaccination against Bovine
Respiratory Disease
Bart Van Den Borne1, Geert Vertenten2, Robert Lavan3, Henk
Hogeveen1.
1
Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands; 2MSD Animal
Health, Boxmeer, Netherlands; 3Merck Animal Health, Madison,
United States.
Objectives: Rearing young stock provides the future
cows for a dairy farm. It entails, however, a large proportion
of the cost price of milk (5-10 %). One of the diseases as-
sociated with rearing young stock is Bovine Respiratory Dis-
ease (BRD), which negatively impacts the health of the animal
during its rearing phase as well as its performance during the
first lactation. Vaccination is a possible management strategy
against BRD. It reduces the number of cases in dairy herds
but its cost-effectiveness has not been determined yet. The
aim of this study was to assess the net economic benefit of
vaccination against BRD.
Materials and methods: An existing calf level, bio-eco-
nomic simulation model was adapted to first estimate the
distribution of rearing costs under Dutch circumstances from
two weeks of age until first calving and subsequently estimate
the distribution of costs and revenues during the first lacta-
tion. The model simulates calf growth stochastically using
a two phase growth function and incorporates the temporal
uncertainties of BRD with the associated effects on morbid-
ity and mortality until first calving. The model was extended
with a Wilmink lactation curve and culling rules to simulate
milk production and the associated effects of BRD throughout
the first lactation until drying off. The model was adapted to
compare the effect of two injections with a multivalent inac-
tivated vaccine (Bovilis® Bovipast RSP, MSD Animal Health)
at the age of 2 and 6 weeks with a default scenario without
vaccination. An efficacy of 80% was assumed. All model input
was based on scientific literature and, if not available, expert
knowledge. Output of the model consisted of non-economic
output such as BRD incidence, birth weight, first calving age,
weight, milk production and culling incidence. Economic out-
put included healthcare costs (vaccination costs, prevention
costs and treatment costs), feed costs, barn costs, breeding
costs, labour costs, depreciation costs, and milk and slaughter
revenues. Total rearing costs and production revenues were
estimated using 10,000 simulations. A sensitivity analysis was
performed to investigate the effect of vaccine efficacy, BRD in-
cidence risk, and other input parameters on the net economic
benefit of vaccination.
Results: BRD incidence and death during the rearing
phase and milk production of completed first lactations were
26.9%, 5.6% and 8117 kg on average, respectively, in the de-
fault scenario whereas they were 13.9%, 3.2%, and 8143 kg in
the vaccination scenario. Reduced treatment costs (€4 vs €2
per animal) and reduced costs due to mortality (€41 vs €29)
during the rearing phase only partially compensated the costs
associated with vaccination (€25). However, increased rearing
costs (€1727 vs €1735) were compensated by increased prof-
its during the first lactation. Milk revenues (€2833 vs €2842)
and revenues due to culling (€26 vs €28) were higher for the
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ORAL — Herd Health Management, Smart Farming and Economics
vaccination scenario than for the default scenario. This result-
ed in an overall net economic benefit of €9 for each animal
reaching its first dry-off. The model was sensitive to the BRD
incidence risk and the efficacy of the vaccine. The net eco-
nomic benefit became positive when the BRD incidence risk
was around 18% assuming an 80% vaccine efficacy.
Conclusions: The estimates from this model are as-
sumed to be conservative since only the effect of clinical BRD
was simulated. Literature on production effects of subclinical
BRD was scarce and was therefore not incorporated in the
simulation model. Moreover, the vaccine efficacy of 80% was
hypothetical given the lack of good data on this important input
parameter. Nonetheless, this bio-economic simulation study
showed that young stock vaccination against BRD is econom-
ically beneficial in dairy herds.
Keywords: Bovine Respiratory Disease, vaccination, cost
benefit, dairy, Netherlands.
HH-42
Conducting herd health program in large commercial dairy
herds – impact on herd health and farm economy
Kerli Mõtus, Ants-Hannes Viira, Kalmer Kalmus, Ants Kavak, Helis
Luik-Lindsaar, Piret Kalmus.
Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia.
Introduction: Veterinary herd health and production man-
agement (HHPM) programmes are defined as certain activi-
ties aimed to maintain the health and productive capacity of
farm animals at the most efficient level while ensuring the
farm's competitiveness and profitability. Although implement-
ed in several countries the content and methods of these
programmes vary. The health and economic impacts of imple-
menting HHPM in large commercial dairy farms are not widely
studied and previous studies have even shown controversial
results. The aim of the present study was to analyse the health
and economic consequeces of implementing dairy herd health
programmes in large commercial dairy herds.
Material and methods: Five dairy herds with loose-hous-
ing cowsheds were enrolled in the study including roughly 100,
600, 600, 700 and 1700 dairy cows, respectively. Between
April 2017 to March 2019 HHPM programme was implement-
ed in these herds. In every quarter, four visits were performed
by four herd health veterinarians covering the following topics:
youngstock health and infectious diseases, udder health and
milk quality, cow and heifer fertility, metabolic diseases and
claw health. After each visit a summary report including anal-
ysis of the herd health data and the problem analysis together
with recommendations for improvement was submitted to the
farm managers. In all farms herd health and production-relat-
ed data as well as farm treatment records were summarized
on a monthly basis. Also, the following herd health related
costs were analyzed routinely: cost for medicaments, value of
discarded milk, heifer rearing costs related with delayed calv-
ing, lower milk yield associated with longer calving interval,
costs for sperm and artificial isemination and extra charge or
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
206
discounts for milk fat and protein content. Changes in herd
health, production and economic performance over two years
were analyzed to evaluate the impact of the implementation of
herd health programmes.
Results and Discussion: During the study period, cat-
tle health improved in most areas that were consulted by the
veterinarians. Still, in some farms an increase of disease in-
cidence and associated costs occurred. In some cases this
could be explained by an improved disease detection and
more complete registration of the disease data instigated by
the consulting veterinarians. In general, the incidence of first
month calf diarrhea reached below 20% by the end of the
study in four herds but constant increasing trend of the diar-
rhea incidence occurred in one herd. Cost of antimicrobials
used for the treatment of calfhood diseases decreased by 56%
on average over four farms (could not be analysed in one farm
due to lack of data). On average, the length of calving interval
decreased from 412 to 396 days across five farms. The level
of somatic cell count decreased in two herds but increased in
three herds. In total, the number of clinical mastitis cases de-
creased from 54.1 to 41.6 cases per 100 cow/year. The linear
trend of subclinically infected mastitis cows decreased in four,
but increased in one farm. Proportion of cows with a diagnosis
of hoof diseases decreased from 27% to 22% within two study
years averaged over five farms.
The positive impact of the HHPM implementation was also
illustrated by the change in the economic performance of the
farms. While the weighted average of the herd health related
costs for the study period was EUR 22 per tonne of milk pro-
duced, the costs decreased by an average of EUR 7-8 per
tonne of milk produced in four farms by the end of the study.
The main economic costs associated with livestock health
were the cost of medicines (36%), discarded milk (34%) and
milk price discounts due to lower content of milk fat and protein
(15%).
Conclusions: In general, implementation of HHPM pro-
grammes improved animal health and productivity and, as a
result, the economic performance of the farms.
Keywords: Herd health, economy, dairy herd, commercial
farm, Estonia.
HH-43
Evaluation of Failure of Passive Transfer in neonatal dairy calves
in the Netherlands
Pleun Penterman, Ruben Tolboom, Geert Vertenten.
MSD Animal Health, Boxmeer, Netherlands.
Objective: The absorption of maternal immunoglobulins in
the small intestine during the first 24 hours after birth, termed
passive transfer, helps to protect the calf against common
endemic disease organisms until its own immature immune
system becomes fully trained and functional. Colostrum man-
agement is the single most important management factor in
determining calf health and survival. Although good progress
has been made in the past years, there remains a consider-
 ORAL — Herd Health Management, Smart Farming and Economics
able opportunity for many dairy farmers. A recent US study
reported Failure of Passive Transfer (FPT) to affect 15.6% of
calves tested, indicating a need for continued efforts to im-
prove colostrum management. The objective of this study was
to obtain prevalence data on FPT in dairy calves in The Neth-
erlands and to identify risk factors for FPT at herd level.
Material and Methods: Neonatal dairy calves (n = 274)
from several commercial farms in the Netherlands were en-
rolled in the study. Only calves aged between 2 and 7 days
were included in the trial.
Serum samples were tested at Royal GD Deventer (The
Netherlands) with a validated turbidimetric assay on a clinical
chemical analyzer.
Different cut-off values for FPT and for evaluation of colos-
trum management were used to analyse test results. A cut-off
value for FPT was defined as a serum gamma-globulin level
lower than 10 g/L (Gay, 1983); a second cut-off value of 15g/L
serum gamma-globulins was also used based on studies by
Furman-Fratczak and colleagues (2011) and Windeyer and
colleagues (2014) showing that dairy calves with serum IgG
levels greater than or equal to 15 g/L experienced lower rates
of respiratory disease. In addition, the revised individual and
herd-based evaluation standards by Godden and colleagues,
2019 were used.These include ranking in 4 categories: excel-
lent (≥ 25.0 g/L), good (18.0-24.9 g/L), fair (10.0-17.9 g/L), and
poor (<10 g/L). These categories can be applied to individual
calves and to the operation for herd-based evaluation based
on the percentage of calves that should be represented in
each category.
On each farm the following information was gathered to
identify risk factors for FPT: number of lactating cows, young-
stock raised on the dairy farm, number of animals younger
than 1 year, number of animals between 1 and 2 years, av-
erage age at first calving, vaccination against respiratory dis-
ease, vaccination against scours, prevalence of scours, prev-
alence of respiratory disease and neonatal mortality.
Results: The average as well as the median of the se-
rum gamma-globulin level in the sampled animals was 16 g/L
ranging between 0 and 35 g/L. When using a cut-off value
of 10g/L, 21% of the animals experienced FPT, while using
a cut-off value of 15g/L would mean that 44% of the animals
experienced FPT.
When using the four categories defined by Godden and
colleagues, 11% of the samples were excellent, 33% good,
35% fair and 21% poor. These results are worse than the
proposed distribution reflecting good colostrum management
(>40% excellent, ~30% good, ~20% fair and <10% poor).
At the moment of submission of the abstract, the farm in-
formation was not collected yet. This will be presented in the
final presentation during the World Buiatrics Congress. The
aim is to identify risk factors for FPT on calf and herd level.
Conclusion: Depending on the used threshold 21 to 44
percent of neonatal calves in this study experience Failure of
Passive Transfer. Although good progress has been made in
the past years, there remains a considerable opportunity to
improve the colostrum management practices on Dutch dairy
farms.
Keywords: Failure of Passive Transfer, dairy calves,
Netherlands, colostrum.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
HH-44
Feeding calves with pasteurized colostrum and
milk  improves health in heifers and has a positive long-
term effect on their productive performance
Ramon Armengol1, Lorenzo Fraile2.
1
Universitat de Lleida, Lleida, Spain; 2Agrotecnio Center, Lleida, Spain.
Objectives: The main objective of this study was to ob-
serve whether feeding female calves with pasteurized co-
lostrum and cow's milk improved future reproductive perfor-
mance, productive parameters and health over the course of
the heifer-rearing process and the three first lactations.
Materials and methods: We carried out a study feeding
calves non-pasteurized and pasteurized colostrum and cow’s
milk under the same environment and management condi-
tions. Female calves born during 2013 and 2015 entered the
study at 22 days of age, after having received pasteurized co-
lostrum and milk (P group, n= 127) or non-pasteurized colos-
trum and milk (NP group, n= 134) during the first 21 days of
life. All calves submitted to study showed a total serum protein
≥5.8 g/dL between day 2 and 5 of life. Calves were randomly
grouped during the rearing period mixing animals from groups
NP and P. During heifer rearing, reproduction parameters
(number of artificial inseminations (AI) per pregnancy), pro-
duction parameters (body weight (BW) and average daily gain
(ADG)) and health parameters (Bovine respiratory disease
(BRD) and diarrhea) were recorded. Productive (305-d milk
yield, life milk yield and ADG), reproductive (AI per pregnancy
and calving interval), and health parameters (milk somatic cell
count (SCC/mL)) and age at culling were also recorded in a
follow-up study for 6 years (2013 to 2019). Suitable statistical
analyses were carried out to decipher the effects of the experi-
mental group (P or NP) on productive performance throughout
the study.
Results: A total of 261 female Holstein calves entered the
study (134 in the NP group and 127 in the P group). Of these,
216 reached at least first parturition (NP=110 and P=106),
184 reached second parturition (NP=90 and P=94) and 139
reached third parturition (NP=71 and P=68). We did not ob-
serve significant differences in the probability of reaching the
first, second or third parturition between the two groups.
Feeding on-farm pasteurized colostrum and milk during
the first 21 days of life reduces morbidity of bovine respiratory
disease during the first year of life and diarrhea during the first
180 days of life. In heifers that never reached first parturition
(NP group=24 vs. P group=21), morbidity from both diarrhea
(P=0.0492) and BRD (P=0.2797) was lower in the P than in
NP group. Similar trends were seen in animals that reached
first parturition and differences were significant for both dis-
eases (BRD; P=0.02111 and diarrhea; P=0.0341). Moreover,
it increases ADG from birth to first calving (P=670.5±5.6
vs. NP=616.2±6.2 g/day) and increases BW after first
(P=531.7±3.8 vs. NP=492.6±3.8 Kg), second (602.2±4.6
vs. NP=575.1±4.6 Kg) and third lactation (P=645.9±5.3 vs.
626.4±5.3 Kg). Finally, it also significantly increases milk pro-
duction at first lactation (P=10,147±160 vs. NP=9,574±209
kg). However, there were no differences in relation to repro-
duction performance and health of cows between animals be-
207
ORAL — Herd Health Management, Smart Farming and Economics
longing to the NP or P group.
Conclusion: Colostrum and milk pasteurization for dairy
calves improves health and production parameters in heifers
and cows, and has a positive long-term effect on cow’s pro-
duction parameters.
Keywords: Colostrum, milk, pasteurize, long-term effects,
dairy.
HH-45
Is Brix refractometry an appropriate on-farm tool for
measuring the IgG concentration in colostrum of Belgian
Blue cows?
Geert Hoflack1, Pleun A.A. Penterman2, Geert Vertenten2, Bart
Sustronck1.
MSD Animal Health, Brussels, Belgium; 2MSD Animal Health,
1 parameters (IgG concentration and bacterial count) 13,7 % of
Boxmeer, Netherlands.
Objectives: Transfer of passive immunity through the ad-
ministration of colostrum is essential in bovine neonates be-
cause the epitheliochorial placenta of cows is impermeable for
immunoglobulins (Ig). Adequate transfer of passive immunity
can only be achieved when calves are fed sufficient amounts
of good-quality colostrum shortly after birth. Colostrum quali-
ty is mainly determined by its concentration of immunoglobu-
lins. However, the degree of bacterial contamination can have
a negative impact on the intestinal absorption of these Ig’s.
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the quality of
colostrum of Belgian Blue cows considering not only the IgG
concentration but also the bacterial load of the colostrum. Ad-
ditionally, the accuracy of indirect evaluation of the IgG con-
centration of colostrum from Belgian Blue cows by means of a
digital Brix refractometer was assessed, as this is considered
a handy cow-side on-farm tool.
Materials & Methods: For this field study, 23 Belgian bo-
vine practices participated in the collection of colostrum from
freshly calved Belgian Blue cows. On 69 commercial Belgian
Blue farms, a total of 76 colostrum samples were collected.
Sampling occurred immediately after caesarean section. Co-
lostrum samples were stored at -20°C until further process-
ing. IgG concentrations were measured using a commercial
competitive ELISA-test kit (BIO K420, MonoScreen QuantELI-
SA Immunoglobulin Easy, Bio-X Diagnostics S.A., Rochefort,
Belgium). Indirect evaluation of the IgG concentration of the
colostrum samples was performed using a digital Brix refrac-
tometer (Milwaukee Refractometer MA871, Milwaukee Instru-
ments Inc., NC, USA). On each occasion, the mean of three
consecutive Brix refractometric measurements was calculated
and used for analysis. The relationship between the IgG con-
centration and the Brix value of the colostrum samples was
investigated with a Pearson’s correlation. Total bacterial cell
count of the colostrum samples was determined using a bac-
toscan automatic bacterial count reader (Bactoscan™ FC+,
FOSS, Denmark). Colostral IgG concentrations of < 50 g/l or a
colostral Brix value of < 22% were considered as poor-quality
colostrum. Furthermore, colostrum samples with a total bac-
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
208
terial cell count of > 100.000 CFU/ml were also classified as
poor-quality colostrum. All statistical analyses were performed
using R software (R Core Team, 2017).
Results: Colostrum from Belgian Blue cattle contained on
average 81,24 ± 24,90 g IgG/l. The IgG concentration ranged
from 24,90 to 150,00 g/l. The Brix value of the colostrum from
Belgian Blue cattle had a mean of 25,27 ± 4,05 % (range:
16,77 – 36,40 %). A low non-significant negative correlation
was found between the IgG concentration and the Brix value
of colostrum samples from Belgian Blue cows (rpearson = -0,16;
CI95% [-0,38 to 0,07]; p = 0,172). The bactoscan values of the
colostrum samples were highly skewed and were, therefore,
analysed using non-parametric methods. The colostrum sam-
ples from Belgian Blue cattle had a median total bacterial cell
count of 5.500 CFU/ml (range: 4.000 – 390.000 CFU/ml).. The
IgG concentration was lower than the norm of 50 g IgG/l in
8,22 % of the colostrum samples. The total bacterial cell count
was above the acceptable threshold of 100.000 CFU/ml in
5,48 % of the colostrum samples. Combining these two quality
the colostrum samples were classified as poor-quality colos-
trum.
Conclusions: The colostrum quality of Belgian Blue cows
can be classified as high since 92 % of the samples had an
IgG concentration of at least 50 g IgG/l. Concerning bacteri-
ological contamination, 95 % of the colostrum samples from
Belgian Blue cattle were clean, defined as < 100.000 CFU/
ml. When both quality criteria are taken together, more than
85 % of the colostrum samples from Belgian Blue cows ful-
filled the requirements for high-quality colostrum, suitable for
administration to new-born calves. In this study, no correlation
could be found between the IgG concentration, as measured
by competitive ELISA and the digital Brix refractometric value
of colostrum from Belgian Blue cows. Hence, Brix refractome-
try seems inaccurate for the assessment of IgG concentration
in Belgian Blue cow’s colostrum.
Keywords: Belgian Blue cattle, colostrum quality, IgG con-
centration, Brix refractometry , Total Bacterial Count.
HH-46
Evaluation of metabolic health by pooled sample metabolic
profiling on 305 Flemish dairy herds
Angelique Rijpert-Duvivier1, Koen De Bleecker2, Pieter Taelman3,
Herman Deschuytere4, Johan Schaep2, Jos Van Eecke5, Julien Evrard6,
Robert J. Van Saun7.
1
Angelique Rijpert-Duvivier Senior Technical Consultant Ruminants
Elanco Benelux, Utrecht, Netherlands; 2Animal Health Care Flanders
(DGZ), Torhout, Belgium; 3Elanco Belgium, Antwerpen, Belgium;
4
Vetshops, Izegem, Belgium; 5Hapco.Farm, Horebeke, Belgium; 6Arsia,
Ciney, Belgium; 7Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802-
3500, United States.
Objectives: Monitoring metabolic health of transition
cows using pooled serum sample metabolic profiling (PMP)
has been well described and reduces laboratory costs con-
 ORAL — Herd Health Management, Smart Farming and Economics
siderably. PPM, including 21 biomarkers, was commercially
introduced in Flanders (Belgium) by Animal Health Care Flan-
ders (DGZ) in October 2020. Furthermore, DGZ developed
an interpretation tool which presents results in a web diagram
containing 8 metabolic key areas (Metabolic Scan). Study ob-
jectives were to evaluate metabolic profile results for close-up,
fresh, and peak lactation cows from Flemish herds pooled and
analyzed at the DGZ-laboratory between 12 October 2020 and
12 December 2021.
Materials and methods: A retrospective analysis was
carried out. Beef cattle samples, incomplete and outlier re-
sults were excluded (50 profiles and 42 herds). Finally, 368
submissions from 305 different farms were analyzed and
included 288, 265, 245 pooled sample metabolic profiles of
following production groups: close-up (P1: 21-3 days prior to
calving), fresh (P2: 3-21 days in milk (DIM)), and peak lacta-
tion (P3: 60-120 DIM) cows, respectively. Statistical analysis
was performed using JMP computational software (version 15,
SAS Institute Inc.). Evaluation included pool results and cor-
responding percentages of abnormal values per pool (meth-
odology of Van Saun) for the following biomarkers: albumin,
alpha, beta and gamma globulins, total protein (TP), beta hy-
droxybutyrate (BHB), calcium (Ca), chlorine (Cl), creatinine,
phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), potassium
(K), non-esterified-fatty-acids (NEFA), selenium (Se), urea, vi-
tamin E, copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), gamma glutamyl transferase
(GGT) and beta-carotene. Based on the biological significance
for interpretation, individual biomarker results were assigned
to metabolic key areas. Subsequently, results were converted
into the percentage of animals at risk for these 8 key areas:
Ketosis-negative energy balance (NEB-ketosis): BHB and
NEFA; water intake: Cl and Na; liver function: GGT and urea;
Cu and Zn; macro minerals: Ca, Mg and P; antioxidants: vita-
min E, Se and beta-carotene; inflammation: alpha and gamma
globulins, TP; dry matter intake (DMI): TP, albumin and urea.
The key area results were categorized into 2 groups: CatA (0-
20% at risk) and CatB (21-100% at risk).
Results: We found that 23%, 31% and 46% of the submis-
sions contained 1, 2 or 3 production groups, respectively. The
mean herd size was 187 (range 25 to 1955). Herd numbers
located in Antwerp, Limburg, East Flanders, West Flanders,
and Flemish Brabant (provinces) were 104, 21, 73, 94 and 13,
respectively.
The following results concerning CatB are in order of P1,
P2 and P3, respectively. In the NEB key area, 48, 58 and 42%
were classified in CatB. The key area of water intake showed
39, 22 and 24% in CatB. In the key area liver function 47, 35
and 22% of the samples were found at CatB level. For the
key area Cu and Zn 83, 82 and 78% were found in CatB. The
macro mineral key area showed 18, 20 and 9% CatB results.
For the antioxidant status, the percentages were 75, 55 and
26 respectively. In the inflammation key area 41, 46 and 22 %
was found. Finally, the DMI key area showed 72, 54 and 22%
in CatB for P1, P2 and P3 respectively. Significant correlation
(p < 0.05) was found between key area percentages of all 3
production groups for NEB-ketosis, water intake, Cu and Zn,
antioxidants, and DMI.
Conclusions: A considerable proportion of metabolic pro-
files showed signs of NEB-ketosis, most prominent in P2 and
P1, but still proportional in P3 animals. Suboptimal water in-
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
take was seen most frequently in P1. For key areas, liver func-
tion, antioxidants and DMI, P1 was most often impacted, fol-
lowed by P2, whereafter P3 seems to recover. Big deviations
were found for Cu and Zn key area in all production groups.
Further investigation is needed to see whether a low uptake, a
poor homeostatic character of both elements or an erroneous
reference value is responsible for this observation. The macro
mineral key area showed the least deviation within all produc-
tion groups. A state of inflammation was most often found in
P2, followed by the P1 cows. Key area’s NEB-ketosis, water
intake, Cu and Zn, antioxidants and DMI showed correlation
in percentages of animals at risk for all 3 production groups,
indicating a need for further evaluation of farm management,
feeding, cow comfort, animal welfare and preventative strat-
egies.
Keywords: Metabolic profiling; pooled samples; transition.
HH-47
Effect of initial health status in Holstein calves on
production and health parameters
Ángel Revilla-Ruiz1, Eduardo De Mercado2, Alejandro Pérez-
Navarro3, Patricia Carulla4, Adrián Ramón-Moragues4, Andrea
López-Saturnino5, M Luz Pérez Solana2, Sonia Pérez-Garnelo2,
Fernando Estellés6, Arantxa Villagrá4, Francisco Sebastián3, Susana
Astiz2.
1
Medicine and Surgery Department, Veterinary Faculty, Complutense
University of Madrid, Puerta de Hierro Avenue s/n, 28040 Madrid,
Spain; 2Animal Reproduction, INIA-CSIC, Madrid, Spain; 3Cowvet
SL, Valencia, Spain; 4IVIA, Valencia, Spain; 5Facultad de Veterinaria,
UCM, Madrid, Spain; 6ETSIAMN, UPV, Valencia, Spain.
Objectives: Health status can affect productivity and
growth especially in the first growth periods of calves. The
animals, at farm entry, are evaluated for their health status
using a "calf health score” (HSc; Wisconsin Health-Score; Ma-
hendran et al., 2017), which evaluates different health aspects
simultaneously (rectal temperature, cough, nasal discharge,
eye discharge, ear posture and fecal score), giving a higher
score to those animals with the worst health status (0-21). The
aim of this study was to evaluate how different productive and
health parameters evolved in animals up to 4-4.5m of age with
different health status at farm entry.
Material & methods: We randomly selected 235 calves
from a commercial rearing-farm (Cowvet SL), Valencia, with
an entry age of 5–38 days of age. All animals were evaluat-
ed by a modified version of the Wisconsin-Health-Score, and
we categorized them into three study groups: HSc1 (HSc
value=1; n=70), HSc2 (value=2; n=128) and HSc3 (value=3;
n=37). We did not select calves with a value> 3 (only 5 in-
dividuals). Calves had ad libitum starter and water from the
day of entry. The parameters studied were: weight (kg), ul-
trasonographic score respiratory disease (USRD; 0-5; ac-
cording to Ollivett and Buczinski 2016), backfat thickness by
ultrasound (BF; mm; Schröder and Staufenbiel, 2006) and
HSc at three moments: 1) Farm-entry (17.7±8.6 days old);
209
ORAL — Herd Health Management, Smart Farming and Economics
2) Weaning (53.8±3.3d) and 3) Grouping in growing batches
(148.2±27.4d). The average daily weight gain (AWDG; kg/d)
was calculated between moments.
We analyzed the effect among groups at each time point
using ANOVA and Tukey test for the means comparison
(P<0.05; SAS® 9.0). Data are expressed as mean ± standard
deviation.
Results: Health status at farm entry was associat-
ed with higher values of USRD (P<0.05; 1.96±0.2a, 2±0.1a
and 2.11±0.3b) and BF (P<0.05; 3.07±0.4a, 3.25±0.5b and
3.23±0.5ab), indicating that this initial classification by health
status is related to pulmonary status and physical condition
of the animal. At Weaning, we observed a lower weight in an-
imals with worse HSc at entry (P<0.05; 66.1±8.4a, 63.1±7.8b
and 62.5±7.7b for HSc1, HSc2 and HSc3 respectively)
and again a lower BF in animals with a worse health status
(P<0.05; 4.25±0.3a, 4.14±0.25b and 4.21±0.25ab for HSc1,
HSc2 and HSc3 respectively). However, at the moment of
Grouping there were no significant differences in any of the
variables. This could indicate that the initial health status
slightly retards the growth rate until, at least, weaning, recov-
ering later, with the AWDG reduced exclusively until weaning
(0.634±0.21a, 0.543±0.21b, 0.551±0.17ab for HSc1, HSc2 and
HSc3 respectively), and a compensatory growth when the ani-
mals improved their health status. The Health Scoring showed
how the animals reached similar health values, regardless of
the HSc value at entry, showing the animals an average HSc
of 1.7±0.5 at weaning and 2.1±0.25 at Grouping. Ultimately, all
animals showed a similar, slightly increased health score, but
no overcoming the value 6 (related to clinical condition). It is to
highlight, the generally low HSc observed at this rearing farm.
Conclusions: The initial health status of the animals,
even when very low (<4) slightly reduces the growth of rearing
calves until weaning, but after this period the animals compen-
sate the growth and achieve a similar state of health.
Funded by CDTI (Centro para el Desarrollo Tecnológico
Industrial; Ministerio de Ciencia e, Innovación); proyecto CD-
TI-IDI-20200936.
References:
Ollivett, T.L., Buczinski, S. 2016. On-Farm Use of Ul-
trasonography for Bovine Respiratory Disease. Vet Clin
North Am Food Anim Pract. 32(1): 19-35. doi: 10.1016/j.
cvfa.2015.09.001.
Schröder, U.J., Staufenbiel, R. 2006. Invited review:
Methods to determine body fat reserves in the dairy cow with
special regard to ultrasonographic measurement of backfat
thickness. J Dairy Sci. 89(1): 1-14. doi: 10.3168/jds.S0022-
0302(06)72064-1.
Mahendran, S.A., Booth, R., Beekhuis, L., Manning, A.,
Blackmore, T., Vanhoudt, A., Bell, N. 2017. Assessing the ef-
fects of weekly preweaning health scores on dairy calf mortal-
ity and productivity parameters: cohort study. Vet Rec. 181(8):
196. doi: 10.1136/vr.104197.
Keywords: Health Score, Dairy, rearing farm, perfor-
mance.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
210
HH-48
Effect of dairy heifer pre-breeding growth rate on first
lactation milk yield in spring-calving, pasture-based herds
Ciara Hayes1, Conor McAloon2, Emmet Kelly2, Catherine McAloon2,
Eoin G Ryan2, John Mee3, Luke O'Grady2.
1
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Cork, Republic
of Ireland; 2University College Dublin, Dublin, Republic of Ireland;
3
Teagasc, Animal Bioscience Research Department, Fermoy, Republic
of Ireland.
Objectives: There is evidence that early life growth rate
can have positive effects on future milk production, however
very little is known about the impact in seasonal, pasture-based
dairy systems. Therefore, the objective of this study was to
investigate the association between pre-breeding growth rate
and first lactation milk yield in spring-calving, pasture-based
dairy herds.
Methods: Heifer calves (n=399) from a convenience sam-
ple of seven commercial, spring-calving dairy herds were
weighed at birth and prior to breeding. Average daily gain
(ADG) was calculated. Following first calving (22 to 27 months
old), milk recording data were collected from the 265 cows
that completed their first lactation using a minimum of three
recordings/cow. Milk yields (305-day) were then standardised
according to fat and protein content. A mixed linear regression
model was used to investigate the relationship between ADG
and milk yield.
Results: The final model included farm and month of calv-
ing within year as random effects. Heifer ADG was quadrati-
cally related to first lactation standardised milk yield. An ADG
of 0.82kg/day was associated with maximum predicted yield.
A heifer with an ADG of 0.82kg/day was predicted to yield
1120kg more than a heifer growing at 0.55kg/day, 218kg more
than a heifer growing at 0.7kg/day and 103kg more than a
heifer growing at 0.9kg/day. Age at first calving and predicted
transmitting abilities for protein production and calving interval
were also significant in the final model.
Conclusions: Pre-breeding ADG was quadratically relat-
ed to first lactation milk yield, with an ADG of 0.82kg/day asso-
ciated with maximum predicted yield.
Please see the reference to the published article and DOI
below:
Hayes, C.J., McAloon, C.G., Kelly, E.T., Carty, C.I., Ryan,
E.G., Mee, J.F. and O'Grady, L., 2021. The effect of dairy
heifer pre-breeding growth rate on first lactation milk yield in
spring-calving, pasture-based herds. Animal, 15(3), p.100169
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.animal.2020.100169
The article is available under the Creative Commons Attri-
bution License (CCBY), available at https://creativecommons.
org/licenses/by/4.0/
Keywords: Heifer, average daily gain, milk yield.
 ORAL — Herd Health Management, Smart Farming and Economics

HH-49 cow pen and recorded the fresh cow management procedures
during the morning. Mangold-Interact (version 17.1.0.0, Man-
Systematic evaluation of different fresh cow monitoring gold International, Arnstorf, Germany), a specialized software
procedures for visual evaluation of video footage, was used to analyze the
Felix König1, Andy Hancock2, Christian Wunderlich3, Markus time required for specific fresh cow management procedures.
Klawitter3, Thomas Breuer3, Anne Simoni1, Karina Weimar1, Marc In total, 3973 examination steps and 1848 headlock times per
Drillich1, Michael Iwersen1. cow were eligible for statical analyses. For comparison of the
different systems as well as the examination steps, performed
1
Clinical Unit for Herd Health Management in Ruminants, University by the investigators, the Kruskal-Wallis test, respectively the
Clinic for Ruminants, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used.
Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria;
Results: Overall, the most frequently observed examina-
2
Zoetis International, Dublin, Republic of Ireland; 3Zoetis Deutschland
tions were temperature measurement (n=2239, 56%), per-
GmbH, Berlin, Germany.
cussion-auscultation (n=329, 8.2%), succession-auscultation
(n=325, 8.1%), and rumen fill estimation (n=217, 5.4%). The
Objectives: Intensive and well-structured monitoring of different examinations lasted on average between 1 and 115
fresh cows is considered beneficial for the health and well-be- seconds. Significant differences in the time needed to perform
ing of the cows and is an important factor for the success of specific examinations were identified between the investiga-
the cows' further lactation. Due to the various metabolic and tors.
infectious diseases caused by a negative energy balance at The resulting fixation time differed significantly between
the time of calving, fresh cow monitoring can become a very the three different fresh cow management systems (P < 0.05).
time-consuming task. However, currently it is necessary to The animals were fixed in headlocks between 1 and 106 min-
lock up the animals for examinations and treatments, which utes.
restricts their natural behaviour and thus has a negative im-
Conclusion: Although significant differences in the exam-
pact on the health and performance of the herd. However, per-
ination times of different investigators were identified, these
forming this important but time-consuming examination during
can be neglected from a practical point of view. Significant dif-
the fresh cow period without excessively affecting the animals'
ferences in the fixation time of the animals in the headlocks
natural behaviour is often a challenge, especially when many
were determined based on the order in which the animals
animals need to be examined on larger farms. Automated
were examined and treated. The results of this study can be
monitoring by use of ‘precision livestock farming’ technologies
used in the future to develop optimal management strategies
is progressively applied on farms to identify animals at risk
that consider cow needs, available labour and other economic
of disease at an early stage and to reduce routine examina-
factors. In this context, it could also be evaluated what contri-
tion times. Determining the exact times that cows are fixed
bution PLF technologies can make to reduce fixation times of
in headlocks for examinations and treatments under practical
cows in headlocks and stuff working hours.
conditions can be used to evaluate existing and develop new
management strategies. This is particularly important for prac- Keywords: Dairy cow, health monitoring, transition period,
titioners that want to develop time- and cost-efficient manage- accelerometer, fresh cow.
ment strategies while minimising the impact on the dairy cow's
time budget. PLF technologies could be a support here to re-
duce the fixation times of cows in headlocks and stuff working
hours.
The aim of the study was to describe in detail the time
required for routine examinations in the fresh cow area as
well as the total duration each cow stayed in headlocks during
these examinations.
Material and methods: This study was conducted from
June 2021 to August 2021 on a commercial dairy farm in Ger-
many, housing approx. 1,900 Holstein-Friesian dairy cows.
Different methods of fresh cow monitoring procedures were
compared against each other. These included, on the one
hand, different routine examinations of fresh cows, on the oth-
er hand, three different workflows (systems) which differ in the
order of examinations and treatments.
Prior to conducting the study, standard operating proce-
dures (SOPs) were prepared in which the various examination
and treatment steps, in particular the start and end times, were
specified. For this purpose, the working times for conducting
individual examination steps as well as the resulting fixation
time of the animals were systematically recorded.
Sixteen digital observation cameras (network camera HYU-
405, HYUNDAI Corporation, Korea) were installed in the fresh

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ORAL — Infectious Diseases
ID-01
The impact of bovine viral diarrhea virus infection on milk
production of Dutch dairy herds
Xiaomei Yue1, Wilma Steeneveld2, Mariska Van Der Voort1, Gerdien
Van Schaik3, Johannes C. M. Vernooij2, Linda Van Duijn3, Anouk
M.b. Veldhuis3, Henk Hogeveen1.
Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands; 2Utrecht university,
1
Utrecht, Netherlands; 3GD Animal Health, Deventer, Netherlands.
Objectives: Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is endem-
ic in many countries and can have a major impact on cattle
health. BVDV can among others cause diarrhea, fever, pneu-
monia, growth retardation, immunosuppression, and repro-
ductive disorders, thereby reducing milk production and con-
sequently causing economic losses. Research on the effect
of BVDV on milk production is relatively outdated and hardly
investigates changes in milk production before and after a new
BVDV infection in the herd. Moreover, it is unclear whether
the impact of BVDV changes when an increased proportion of
farms participates in a BVDV surveillance program. The objec-
tives of this study are to determine the loss in milk production
as a result of a new BVDV infection in dairy herds participating
in the Dutch BVDV-free program between 2007 and 2017.
Material & Methods: Longitudinal herd-level BVDV sur-
veillance data of 4,334 dairy herds participating in the BVDV-
free program were combined with monthly test-day milk pro-
duction data on herd level from 2007-2017. This combined
dataset consisted of 3,126 herds, of which 2,486 herds were
BVDV-free during the whole study period and were defined as
free-herds. 640 herds lost their BVDV-free status at a certain
moment during the study period and were defined as break-
down-herds. To estimate the impact of BVDV infection within
breakdown-herd, milk production before and after the infection
was compared. Since milk production fluctuates over time, the
milk production data of the free-herds was used to correct for
that. A linear mixed regression model was used to estimate
changes in milk production before and after BVDV infection on
an annual and quarterly basis. The model included the fixed
variables BVD status, breakdown-herd or free herd, year, sea-
son, and a random herd-effect that takes the repeated mea-
surements within the herd into account. The dependent vari-
able was the average daily milk production on the test-day. In
our analyses, we assumed that the risk period for milk pro-
duction loss began with the BVDV infection. The moment of
BVDV infection is difficult to determine accurately. Therefore,
four scenarios were developed to reflect different possible mo-
ments of BVDV infection. In the default scenario, the break-
down date was assumed to be the start of BVDV infection, and
the years/quarters after the breakdown date were included as
a risk period for milk production loss. Three additional scenar-
ios were studied in which it was assumed that the breakdown
is caused by the birth of a persistently infected (PI) calf, being
born 4, 6 or 9 months before the breakdown date. In these
scenarios, the risk period for milk production loss started when
the PI calf was born.
Results: Results for the default scenario showed that in
the first year after the breakdown date, the average milk pro-
duction loss per cow per day was 0.04 kg. In the first to fourth
quarters of the first year after infection, the average milk pro-
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
212
duction loss per cow per day were 0.13, 0.08, 0.01 and 0.07
kg, respectively. Overall, in the first year after BVDV infection
of the default scenario, milk production losses ranged from
570 to 1,603 kg at a Dutch herd level, with an average of 1,086
kg per herd per year or 13 kg per cow per year. In the results
of scenarios 1, 2 and 3, the negative effects of BVDV introduc-
tion were mainly in the second year after BVDV introduction,
and the average milk production decreased by 0.05, 0.06, 0.05
kg/cow/day, respectively. Results show that the risk period for
milk production loss due to BVDV introduction is mostly in the
first two years after BVDV introduction, especially in the first
quarter.
Conclusion: This study shows that the BVDV infection
occurring in herds in a BVDV-free surveillance program has a
limited but negative impact on milk production of dairy herds,
mainly in the first year after infection. The main reason why
a new introduction of BVDV caused such a small loss of milk
production on dairy farms is probably due to the participation
in the BVDV-free program. This BVD surveillance program en-
ables participating farmers to identify and remove the PI ani-
mals very quickly after the infection, which may limit extensive
transmission of the virus to the lactating herd and avoid large
milk production losses.
Keywords: Bovine viral diarrhea, dairy, milk production.
ID-02
Case reports - Mannheimia haemolytica in dairy cows
Kirsten Stemme1, Egon Thesing1, Dirk Schäfer2, Siegfried Marquard3.
MSD Animal Health, Unterschleißheim, Germany; 2Praxis Schäfer,
1
Dörmitz, Germany; 3Tierarztpraxis Marquardt & Walter, Goch,
Germany.
Objectives: Mannheimia (M.) haemolytica is one of the
most important pathogens of respiratory disease in young cat-
tle (calves and feedlot cattle). In recent years, however, cases
of severe pneumonia caused by M. haemolytica in lactating
dairy cows, have been reported. By means of two clinical cas-
es in Germany, the wide range of clinical symptoms and diag-
nostic as well as treatment options are discussed to raise the
awareness of this disease in dairy cows.
Material and Methods: The first case: an increased num-
ber of deaths occurred on a dairy farm with 500 lactating cows
in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. When the veterinarian
was consulted, five animals had already died, and more than
15 cows showed severe fever and an increased respiratory
rate. Cows of all ages and in different stages of lactation were
affected.
As a new silo had been opened preceding illness, Clos-
tridia infection was suspected. Samples were taken from the
affected animals for further diagnosis. One moribund cow was
euthanized and sent to the state laboratory for postmortem
examination.
The second case: the course of disease was more pro-
longed on a dairy farm with 110 lactating cows. One cow
showed unspecific symptoms such as drop in milk in produc-

tion, anorexia and a slightly elevated body temperature. As
metal particles were found by the metal detector of the feed
mixer acute traumatic reticuloperitonitis was diagnosed. In the
following days, 9 other cows fell ill with similar symptoms One
of them developed severe disease (recumbency, bloody nasal
discharge) and was euthanized for postmortem examination.
On inquiry, the farmer said that three new heifers had entered
the farm 12 days before.
Results: In both cases severe acute pneumonia was di-
agnosed on autopsy. On bacteriological testing, M. haemolyt-
ica was detected in lung tissue of both cows. M. haemolytica
Serotype A1 was also found in other organs of the cow from
case 1 and in nasal swabs and as well as in lung fluid taken
via transtracheal aspiration (TTA) taken from diseased cows.
Nasal swabs taken from diseased cows on farm 2 were also
positive for M. haemolytica.
On farm two, paired serum samples were taken from all
diseased cows and antibodies against BRSV, PI3-V, Myco-
plasma bovis and M. haemolytica were measured. Only the
titers of M. haemolytica antibodies showed an increase over
time and, in six of ten animals, this increase could be valued
as seroconversion.
Diseased animals were treated with antibiotics and non-
steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) after M. haemolyt-
ica was confirmed as infective agent and all cows responded
well to this treatment. On farm 1, clinically healthy animals
were vaccinated with a trivalent vaccine (Bovilis® Bovipast®
RSP, MSD Animal Health). A few days after the first vaccina-
tion, the disease was already beginning to subside. After the
second vaccination 4 weeks later, no further disease or death
were observed in the dairy cows.
Conclusion: Both cases show that M. haemolytica can
infect dairy cows and cause severe economic losses due to
substantial drop in milk production or even sudden death of
diseased animals.
Clinical symptoms may vary considerably and make it dif-
ficult to make the right diagnosis. To confirm an infection with
M. haemolytica, either detection of bacteria in samples from
the respiratory tract or proven seroconversion shown by an
increase in antibodies can be used.
Vaccination can protect a herd, especially if new animals
are entering the farm regularly.
Keywords: Mannheimia haemolytica, dairy cows, serolo-
gy, vaccination.
ID-03
Different etiological agent associations detected in bovine
respiratory disease (BRD) outbreaks in unweaned and
fattening calves
Johan Manuel Calderón Bernal1, Ana Fernández Ros2, José Luis
Arnal Bernal2, Cristina Baselga Julian2, Alfredo Benito Zuñiga2, Ana
Isabel Vela Alonso3, José Francisco Fernández-Garyzábal3, María
Dolores Cid Vázquez1.
Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria,
1
Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain; 2Exopol. Veterinary
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Infectious Diseases
Diagnostic and Autogenous Vaccine Laboratory, Zaragoza, Spain;
3
Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria,
Centro de Vigilancia Sanitaria Veterinaria (VISAVET), Universidad
Complutense, Madrid, Spain.
Objective: Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) is a leading
cause of economic loss, hampering animal welfare and inten-
sive antimicrobial use in cattle operations. BRD is a multifac-
torial infectious disease that usually affects a group of animals
and it is caused by a complex interaction between different
viral and bacterial pathogens in single or mixed infections, the
immune status of the host and environmental and manage-
ment factors. The aim of this study was to investigate the fre-
quency of detection of the main etiological agents involved in
BRD and their association with BRD outbreaks.
Material and methods: One hundred fifty six (n= 156) out-
breaks of BRD that were sent for diagnosis at the Laboratory
of diagnosis EXOPOL between January 2020 and November
2021 were included in the study. Inclusion criteria were geo-
graphical localization of the outbreaks in Spain and complete
test results for the detection of Parainfluenza 3 virus (PI-3),
Bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), Bovine coronavi-
rus (BCov), Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) and Bovine
herpesvirus 1 (BoH-1v), and the bacteria Mannheimia hae-
molytica (Mh), Pasteurella multocida (Pm), Histophilus somni
(Hs) and Mycoplasma bovis (Mb). Diagnosis was performed
in pools of 5 samples from different animals of the same out-
break by quantitative PCRs (qPCRs). Clinical specimens were
bronchoalveolar lavages (n= 96), lung (n= 35), nasopharyn-
geal swabs (n= 8) and tracheal scrapes (n= 2) or mixtures of
them (n= 15). Outbreaks were from unweaned (n=32), fatten-
ing (n= 107), replacement (n=8) and adult (n= 1) animals or
unknown (n= 8).
A cluster analysis of categorical variables was performed
using the hierarchical clustering method. The Boolean vari-
ables (presence/absence) included as active variables to de-
fine clusters were detection of PI-3, BRSV, BCov, BVDV, BoH-
1v, Mh, Pm, Hs and Mb. Associations between cluster and
categorical variables were analyzed using the chi-square test
and significance level set at P < 0.05.
Results: The most frequently detected virus were BCov
(39.7%), followed by PI3 (26.3%), BRSV (19.9%) and BVDV
(17.7%) and the less frequent BoH-1v (3.2 %). The most
frequently detected bacteria were Pm (85.9%), followed by
Mb (77.6%), Mh (64.1%) and Hs (42.3%). Cluster analysis
grouped outbreaks into two clusters. Cluster 1 included out-
breaks were the detection of the PI3 (4.7 %), BRSV (4.7 %),
BCov (24.5 %) and BVDV (6.6 %) viruses and Mb (72.6 %)
was significantly lower and detection of Hs (51.9 %) was sig-
nificantly higher than in the total of outbreaks. Opposite, clus-
ter 2 included outbreaks were the detection of the PI3 (72.0%),
BRSV (52.0 %), BCov (72.0 %) and BVDV (40.0 %) viruses
and Mb (88.0 %) was significantly higher, and detection of Hs
(22.0 %) was significantly lower than in the total of outbreaks.
In cluster 1 and cluster 2, no statistically significant differences
were observed in the frequencies of detection of Pm (84.0 and
90.0 %, respectively) and Mh (60.4 and 72.0%, respectively).
It was found an association between both clusters and the pro-
ductive stage of the animals (P<0.05). Thus, the frequency of
outbreaks from fattening animals were significantly higher (OR
213
ORAL — Infectious Diseases
3.5; CI95% (1.5-7.8) in cluster 1 than cluster 2 (78.8% ver-
sus 59.2%, respectively), whereas the frequency of outbreaks
from unweaned animals was significantly lower in cluster 1
than cluster 2 (14.1 versus 36.7%, respectively). There was
no association between clusters and the geographic area of
outbreaks.
Conclusion: These results suggest that in unweaned
animals the respiratory viruses or Mb would have a greater
clinical significance playing a role either as responsible for
clinical processes or cooperating as predisposing agents for
bacterial infections. On the contrary, in fattening animals, other
predisposing factors such as stress associated with transport
of animals or mixing of animals of different origins in feedlots
would have a greater relevance. Consequently, the manage-
ment and sanitary measures carried out for an efficient control
of BRD in calves should be adapted to the different productive
stages. In this regard, possible measures to consider could
be the vaccination of unweaned animals against respiratory
viruses or the incorporation of Pm, together with Mh, to the
vaccines used in cattle which could help to substantially re-
duce the incidence of BRD.
Keywords: Bovine respiratory disease, outbreaks, cattle,
BRD asociated infectious agents.
ID-04
Four years of mandatory BoHV1 (IBR) control programme
in dairy herds in the Netherlands
Frederik Waldeck1, Irene Bisschop1, Jet Mars1, Katrien Van Den
Brink1, Mattheus Hekman1, Emma Strous1, Bert De Roo1, Paul
Wever1, Gerdien Van Schaik2.
1
Royal GD, Deventer, Netherlands; 2Royal GD & Department of
Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht
University, Utrecht, Netherlands.
Objectives: Bovine herpesvirus-1 (BoHV1), the causative
agent of Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR) was first re-
ported in the Netherlands in 1973. In 1997, a national eradica-
tion programme was initiated, with at the time an estimated na-
tionwide herd prevalence of 84%. Only the use of gE-deleted
markervaccines was permitted enabling testing for antibodies
against wildtype BoHV1 with gE-ELISA.
In 1999, the national programme was abruptly suspended
when a BVDV2-contaminated batch of IBR-vaccine resulted
in severe clinical illness and death. After this disappointing
end, the IBR-certification programme was continued voluntary
for almost two decades. In 2015, when discussion on a new
national programme for IBR-eradication started, 43% of dairy
herds participated in IBR-certification routes (28% IBR-free,
15% IBR-unsuspected). The herd prevalence in dairy herds
had decreased to 15.6% by that time.
In April 2018, a mandatory IBR-control programme only for
dairy herds was introduced by the dairy industry and is car-
ried out by Royal GD. The goal is to stimulate more herds to
become IBR-free, to keep them IBR-free and mitigate the risk
posed by infected herds through vaccination. Non-dairy cattle
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
214
herds can voluntarily participate. The objective is to describe
the progress of IBR control.
Materials & methods: Dairy herds are obliged to partici-
pate in one of the three major routes that can lead to a BoHV1-
free herd status:
• IBR-free certification
• IBR-unsuspected certification
• IBR-vaccination certification
IBR-free certification starts with individual serum gE-anti-
bodies screening of the herd, subsequent monitoring of the
free status is performed by monthly bulk milk IBRgE testing.
IBR-unsuspected certification starts with a negative bulk
milk gE-antibodies screening, subsequent monitoring of the
unsuspected status is performed by monthly bulk milk IBRgE
testing. After at least two years of IBR-unsuspected status,
herds can qualify for an IBR-free status by individual serum
gE-antibodies screening of cows older than 6 years.
IBR-vaccination certification is granted after the first
whole herd vaccination with gE-deleted markervaccine (all
cattle over 3 months of age) and is prolonged when the herd
is vaccinated every six months thereafter. This route is man-
datory for infected herds (positive bulk milk gE-antibodies
screening).
In addition to the monthly bulk milk surveillance, other risk-
based monitoring tools are applied. After purchase, cows from
non-free herds are automatically noted in IBR-free and IBR-un-
suspected herds and require mandatory testing for gE-anti-
bodies. All cows that have aborted are mandatorily tested for
gE-antibodies. In both cases, when cows test positive they
need to be culled. Furthermore, when clinical signs of IBR are
noticed in IBR-free or IBR-unsuspected herds it is mandatory
to submit nasal swabs for PCR testing on IBR-virus.
The progress of the nationwide IBR-control programme
is monitored by combining diagnostic test results with cat-
tle movement data. Semi-annual analyses of the following
key figures is performed: (1) the percentage of IBR-free, (2)
IBR-unsuspected and (3) IBR-vaccinated herds, (4) incidence
of new IBR-infections detected by bulk milk screening and (5)
virus detection in nasal swabs.
Results: The percentage of dairy herds with a favourable
IBR-situation almost doubled since the start in 2018. At the
end of 2021, 55% of dairy herds were certified IBR-free, 27%
IBR-unsuspected and 18% IBR-vaccinated. After four years
of new IBR-regulation, the incidence of new IBR-infections
detected by bulk milk screening (often subclinical outbreaks)
decreased from 0.53% in 2018 to 0.26% in 2021. Annually,
nasal swabs from around 200 herds are submitted for PCR
testing and in 2018 BoHV1 was detected in 12.9% of herds.
This figure dropped to 6.6% in 2021. Since the start of the new
mandatory phase and up to the end of 2021, in total 109 IBR-
free dairy herds had an outbreak (out of on average 15.304
dairy herds).
Amongst non-dairy herds, 22% is certified IBR-free on
a voluntary basis. Even without mandatory control in these
herds, the herd prevalence in non-dairy herds declined over
the period 2016 to 2020.
Conclusion: Even though the Dutch IBR-programme is
only mandatory for dairy herds, much progress is made in the

Dutch cattle sector. National implementation of IBR-eradica-
tion for all bovine herds by the government is discussed by
the cattle industry and the Ministry of Agriculture. With reg-
ular monitoring, thorough and timely insight on the progress
of IBR-eradication is obtained and evidence-based decisions
can be made for further developments in the eradication pro-
gramme.
Keywords: BoHV1; IBR; eradication; gE-antibodies; bulk
milk.
ID-05
A synergy between influenza D virus and Mycoplasma bovis
in bovine respiratory disease
Lion Adrien1, Rancon Camille1, Cebron Nathan1, Secula Aurélie1,
Cassard Hervé1, Salem Elias1, Gaudino Maria1, Bouleisteix Olivier2,
Zohari Siamak3, Hagglund Sara4, Delverdier Maxence1, Baranowski
Eric1, Foucras Gilles1, Guitton Edouard2, Valarcher Jean-François4,
Ducatez Mariette1, Meyer Gilles1.
1
Veterinary College of Toulouse, Toulouse- UMR1225 INRA-ENVT,
France; 2INRAE, UE 1277, Experimental Infectiology Platform (PFIE),
INRA-Val de Loire research Centre, Nouzilly, France; 3National
Veterinary Institute Uppsala, Department of Virology, Immunobiology
and Parasitology, Sweden; 4Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences,
Uppsala, Host Pathogen Interaction Group, Department of Clinical
Sciences, Sweden.
Objectives: Since its discovery in 2011 in the United
States, the novel influenza D virus (IDV) of the Orthomyxo-
viridae family was found spread among swine and ruminants
on four continents so far, confirming a worldwide distribution.
Cattle were suggested to be the main host. Experimental in-
fections in naïve calves showed that IDV infects both the up-
per (URT) and lower (LRT) respiratory tracts, with a moderate
pathogenicity and a high level of transmission (Salem et al.
2019). In addition, IDV detection during bovine respiratory
disease (BRD) field outbreaks suggests that this virus can be
considered at least as predisposing or co-factor of BRD (Mitra
et al., 2016). To study the influence of IDV on other respiratory
pathogens and to confirm its role as a co-factor of BRD, we
performed experimental co-infections of calves with both IDV
and Mycoplasma bovis (M.bovis). A frequent association be-
tween IDV and M.bovis was indeed found in 42% of animals
with respiratory signs in veal calf units in France.
Material & Methods: Experimentation was performed un-
der EEC guidelines (86/609/CEE) and official French ethical
agreement. Twenty-nine calves (free of IDV and classical re-
spiratory pathogens) were distributed into four separate pens.
In three pens, 8 calves per group were intranasally nebulized
at day 0 (D0) through a mask, with 107 TCID50 per calf with a
French IDV strain D/bovine/France/5920/2014, with 1010 col-
ony forming unit per calf of the French M.bovis strain RM16,
with both pathogens, respectively. Five non infected calves
made up the fourth group. All calves were examined from 3
days before challenge (D-3) to the end of experimentation
(D21) for clinical signs, gross and microscopic lesions (D6 for
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Infectious Diseases
3 infected calves per group and D21). IDV and M.bovis quan-
tification was measured by qRT-PCR and qPCR in both URT
(nasal swabs (NS) from D1 to D21) and LRT (bronchoalveolar
lavages (BAL) at D-1, D2, D7, D14 and D21) and tissues (na-
sal turbinate, trachea and lung at D6 and D21). Gross lesions,
histopathology, cell identification and counting from BALs and
blood were investigated to assess pathology. The immune re-
sponse was assessed for antibody seroconversion (IHA, ELI-
SA) and cellular responses.
Results: Clinical examination confirmed that IDV induced
a mild respiratory disease between D5 and D10 characterized
by coughing, tachypnea, and dyspnea. Calves infected by
M. bovis started showing moderate clinical signs later, from
D7-D8 to D19. These calves mainly showed tachypnea, mu-
co-purulent discharge, a more frequent and bad cough and
sometimes labored breathing with abnormal lung sounds
(wheezing). In the co-infected group, clinical signs were sim-
ilar to those of the M. bovis group except that they occured
earlier, starting fom D4, and were more severe. The mean clin-
ical scores indicated significant differences between the co-in-
fected groups and other groups from D6 to D8. The severity of
the clinical manifestations, especially in the co-infected group,
was correlated with severe gross and microscopic lesions
in respiratory tissues (nasal turbinates, trachea and lungs),
mainly characterized by loss of ciliature, necrosis of the respi-
ratory epithelium, and mononuclear cells and neutrophils infil-
trations in the lungs and BALs. No statistical differences were
observed between groups for IDV replication in URT or LRT,
except that IDV replication was longer in the monoinfected
group. On the other hand the earlier replication of M. bovis in
NS and respiratory tissues of the co-infected group correlated
with the clinical differences observed between co-and mono
M.bovis infected groups. After D10, only M.bovis was detected
in NS, BALs and tissues in co-infected group while IDV was
observed in NS, BALs and lungs in the IDV group until D21.
Finally calves seroconverted against IDV as early as at D7
for IDV mono and co-infected groups while antibody response
against M.bovis occured later. First results of cellular immune
response examination indicate that IDV modulates the innate
immunity against M. bovis, leading to more severe pathology.
Conclusion: Altogether, these results suggest a syner-
gy between IDV and M. bovis respiratory infections in young
calves with implications for the control of respiratory diseases.
Indeed, IDV increases the severity of M.bovis infection lead-
ing to severe respiratory signs. First results of cellular immune
response examination indicate that IDV modulate the immune
response against M. bovis and confirm that IDV acts as an
initiator pathogen for BRD.
Keywords: Bovine-Influenza D-Mycoplasma bovis-respi-
ratory-BRD.
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ORAL — Infectious Diseases

ID-06 to be sampled (40%). Among farmers experiencing Q fever

53% did not implemented control measures. For those who
Cross perceptions of farmers, veterinarians and physicians implemented control measures vaccination was implemented
on Q fever: “one health” approach in only 25% of the cases.
Raphael Guatteo1, Christophe Brard2, Thibaut Cauderlier3, Eric
Collin2, Renee De Cremoux4, Kristel Gache5, Brigitte Trezzani3.
Table. Some examples of answers to the opinion survey.
1
Oniris & INRAE, Nantes, France; 2SNGTV, Paris, France; 3CEVA Questions Farmers (% Vets (% Physicians
SANTE ANIMALE, Libourne, France; 4IDELE, Toulouse, France; respondants) respondants) (%
5
GDS France, Paris, France. respondants)
I have been 12% 49% 25%
Objectives: The objective of this study was to describe the exposed to Q fever
in my work
knowledge and assess the perceptions, in a cross-sectional
manner, of ruminant farmers, rural vet practitioners and physi- I know this disease 65% 66% 83%
cians practising in rural areas. Under a "one-health" approach, is zoonotic
the goal was to identify, if necessary, areas for improvement Introduction of 10% 30% 27%
in terms of awareness of the disease and exchanges between Q fever is at risk
these professions. for animal and/or
human health
Materials and Methods: To this end, an opinion poll was
Isolation of affected 55% 54% 35%
conducted with the help of an independent polling institute (Via
animals when Q
Voice). Hundred physicians and 100 veterinarians practising fever is detected
in areas < 20,000 inhabitants (rural areas) and 374 farmers
Vaccination 31% 35% 14%
geographically matched with both vets and physicians (re-
considered as
spectively 134 sheep farmers, 100 goat farmers and 198 cat- control action
tle farmers) were interviewed. All participants were randomly
selected in the selected areas. The questionnaire was built
around 3 main parts: (i) basic knowledge about Q fever in hu- Conclusion: All together, these results support a very
mans and ruminants, (ii) perception of the risk (including zoo- heterogeneous level of knowledge about the disease in any
notic risk) and (iii) knowledge about control measures both in population. The perception of the risk, particularly the zoonotic
humans and animals. one, also appears to be fairly low. The implementation of ap-
Results: Among farmers, 76% declared knowing the dis- propriate control measures needs to be improved, as does the
ease with difference depending on the species: 64% for cattle dialogue between the breeder-veterinarian-doctor trio
(57% for beef farmers and 76% for dairy farmers), 84% for Keywords: Q fever; Perception survey, Zoonosis, One
sheep and 90% for goat farmers. For the rest of the survey, health.
only slight differences were observed between goat, sheep
and cattle farmers leading us to gather their results. The fol-
lowing table displays some (not exhaustive) important results.
Abortion was the main clinical sign attributable to Q fever
(45% for farmers and 70% for vets). Reproductive disorders ID-07
were mentioned only by 7% of cattle farmers and 19% of vets.
More than 29% of cattle farmers and 32% of small ruminants Tracing the spread of bovine respiratory syncytial virus
farmers and 21% of vets did not know about the clinical signs (BRSV) between herds
of Q fever highlighting the need to promote knowledge about
the disease, particularly the negative impact on reproduction Sara Hägglund1, Paul Johnson2, Katarina Näslund3, Sophia Lindberg4,
besides abortion. For physicians, the clinical signs the most Ingrid Hyttsten5, Anna-Karin Eng6, Yongzhi Guo4, Ewa Olszowy4,
frequently reported as leading to suspect Q fever was fever Patricia Simões4, Orton, Richard2, Siamak Zohari7, Daniel Haydon2,
(67%) followed by joint pain (29%), pneumonia (24%) and fa- Jean Francois Valarcher4.
tigue syndrome (22%). Among all zoonotic diseases offered to 1
Swedish university of agricultural sciences, Swedish university of
the respondents, Q fever was ranked among the most at risk agricultural sciences, Sweden; 2University of Glasgow, Glasgow,
one as 2nd, 4th and 5th respectively for farmers, vets and phy- United Kingdom; 3Swedish university of agricultural sciences /
sician in line with low perception for the zoonotic risk (despite National Veterinary Institute, Uppsala, Sweden; 4Swedish university
recent and regular human outbreaks). However, awareness of agricultural sciences, Uppsala, Sweden; 5Jämtlandsveterinärerna,
among farmers is higher among those who receive the public. Lit, Sweden; 6ITVet Jemtland AB, Hammerdal, Sweden; 7National
For vets, the perception of farmers of the impact for their herd Veterinary Institute, Uppsala, Sweden.
or their health was considered as non-sufficient in 62 and 80%
respectively. Regarding the farmer’s knowledge about pre-
vention measures for their animals or their own health, vets Objectives: Bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV)
considered it as non-sufficient in 77 and 82% respectively. causes respiratory disease in cattle and has been diagnosed
Among barriers to tackle the disease, vets stipulated the lack in 12% to 83% of respiratory disease outbreaks in Europe
of abortion reporting by farmer (65%), the funding’s of ancillary [1,2]. In the north of Scandinavia, the control of BRSV relies
test to confirm the disease (70%) and the choice of animals on biosecurity rather than on vaccination despite that the epi-

31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID

216

demiological cycle and the modes of transmission of this virus
are poorly understood. The objective of this study was to deep-
en this knowledge, at the national, regional and between-herd
level, with the final goal to improve the control of BRSV.
Material and methods: Upsurges of outbreaks of respira-
tory disease occurred in 2016 and 2020, and whole BRSV-ge-
nome sequences were obtained from 54 cattle in 34 herds
throughout Sweden. Partial genome sequences were addi-
tionally generated from the G-gene. In 2020, clusters of out-
breaks were identified in the three counties: Dalarna, Uppland,
and Jämtland, from which complete sequences were obtained
from 5/5, 7/9 and 15/25 herds with diagnosed outbreaks. In
three of the herds in Uppland, whole-genome data was addi-
tionally generated from BRSV collected in 2016. Phylogenetic
analyses were performed to determine genetic relationships
between different circulating viruses. Possible routes of intro-
duction 3 to 4 weeks before the report of the outbreak were
investigated, such as purchase or contact with animals from
other holdings, visits, interactions with animal professionals,
as well as contact with animal transport vehicles. Based on
epidemiological and phylogenetic information, an attempt was
made to identify how BRSV was introduced in some of the
farms. One to two months after the last detected outbreak,
bulk tank milk was collected from 30 herds in Jämtland, 23 of
which without recent history of respiratory disease. This milk
was analysed for BRSV-specific IgG1.
Results: Despite that BRSV is an RNA virus, few genomic
changes were detected within counties. Nevertheless, there
was a spatial clustering of virus genome sequences between
counties, with rare introductions from one county into anoth-
er. The viruses obtained in Uppland 2016 were more closely
related to some of the viruses from the same region in 2020
than to viruses from other regions, indicating that the virus had
remained in the area. Viruses collected in one herd in 2016
and 2020 had only 15 mutations difference, whereas viruses
collected in different counties in 2020 differed with approxi-
mately ten times more changes. This data suggests that when
a different lineage is detected in an area, it is the result of an
introduction from another area rather than due to the rapid ge-
netic evolution of strains.
BRSV-specific antibodies were detected in bulk tank milk
from 18/30 herds in Jämtland after the wave of outbreaks in
2020. Based on sequencing data and epidemiological inves-
tigations, human, animal, material or transport contacts were
suspected to be the origin of transmission of BRSV between
some of the herds. Such contacts occurred 10-26 days before
the first observed clinical signs.
Conclusions: The stability of the BRSV genome impedes
the tracing of this virus. Nevertheless, the epidemiological in-
formation and preliminary phylogenetic data suggested that
BRSV is introduced 2-3 weeks before outbreaks are reported,
possibly sometimes by professionals or transports in contact
with cattle on the recipient farms. The Swedish context is char-
acterised by high biosecurity measures and scarce animal ex-
changes. These findings can be used as the basis to design
and implement effective biosecurity recommendations to stop
the spread of BRSV during an epidemic.
References:
1. Klem, T.B.; Rimstad, E.; Stokstad, M. Occurrence and
phylogenetic analysis of bovine respiratory syncytial
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Infectious Diseases
virus in outbreaks of respiratory disease in Norway.
BMC Vet Res 2014, 10, 15, doi:10.1186/1746-6148-
10-15.
2. O'Neill, R.; Mooney, J.; Connaghan, E.; Furphy, C.;
Graham, D.A. Patterns of detection of respiratory vi-
ruses in nasal swabs from calves in Ireland: a retro-
spective study. Vet Rec 2014, 175, 351, doi:10.1136/
vr.102574.
Keywords: Bovine respiratory syncytial virus, transmis-
sion, tracing, sequencing, epidemiological investigation.
ID-08
Prevalence, biosecurity and risk management of bovine
coronavirus infections on dairy farms in Europe
Anna Catharina Berge1, Geert Vertenten2.
Berge Veterinary Consulting, Vollezele, Belgium; 2MSD Animal
1
Health, Boxmeer, Netherlands.
Objectives: The objective of this cross-sectional field
study is to obtain an estimate for the farm prevalence of Bo-
vine Coronavirus (BCoV) in dairy production in Europe, and
to characterize farm-level risk factors in management and
biosecurity that are linked to BCoV infection in neonatal and
weaned dairy calves.
Material & Methods: A convenience sample of 130 Euro-
pean Union (EU) dairy farms with at least 100 lactating cows
each were enrolled in this study. The farm enrolment was
based upon the country’s relative magnitude of the national
dairy production. Nasal and f aecal swabs were collected for
BCoV detection, blood and bulk tank milk samples were col-
lected for specific BCoV antibody detection. Depending on the
farm size, 10-20 samples from neonatal calves under 3 weeks
of age, 10-20 samples from the most recently weaned calves
and 5-10 samples from fresh cows, and one bulk tank milk
sample were collected. All samples were shipped and anal-
ysed at the same laboratory. BCoV presence was determined
in nasal and faecal swabs using semi-quantitative Real Time
PCR (RT-PCR). Bulk tank milk and serum samples were test-
ed for the presence of BCoV antibodies using ELISA. On each
farm an extensive questionnaire was performed to determine
various husbandry (i.a. vaccination of mother cows against
bovine coronavirus) and biosecurity management factors. The
Biocheck survey (https://biocheck.ugent.be, Ugent, Belgium)
was used to score the biosecurity system. Correlations be-
tween the results from testing of nasal and faecal samples,
as well as blood and bulk tank milk samples were determined.
Prevalence estimates for samples within farms and countries
were calculated. Multivariable analysis was used with dichot-
omous outcomes (logistic models) or ordinal outcomes (cu-
mulative logistic or linear models) to determine risks for the
presence of BCoV and BCoV antibodies in neonatal calves,
weaned calves, fresh cows, and bulk tank milk. Random effect
models were used where appropriate.
Results: The study is ongoing. To date we have partial
or complete results from 45 dairy farms in Belgium, Czech
217
ORAL — Infectious Diseases
Republic, Denmark, France, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, and
Sweden. Some preliminary results and data analysis are pre-
sented in this abstract, pending further enrolment. Antibody
levels in bulk milk samples, measured as % inhibition, were
on average 86 (++++) and all tested farms had animals with
levels above 54 (+++). Mean antibody levels were 56 in pre-
weaned calves, 39 in weaned calves and 62 in fresh cows. Ap-
prox. 50% of herds were using fresh cow vaccinations against
bovine coronavirus during the dry period to boost colostral
immunoglobulins, and there was a non-significant trend for
increased antibody levels in neonatal calves and fresh cows
in those herds. There was poor correlation (Pearson’s correla-
tion coefficient r=0,41) between bulk tank milk antibody levels
and serum antibody levels. Presence of BCoV was confirmed
in 17% of nasal and faecal samples from 27 herds. BCoV was
found in nasal and/or faecal samples from 74% of herds. Fifty
percent of herds had one or more animals that were BCoV
positive on nasal swabs. Presence of BCoV was demonstrat-
ed in 23% of nasal samples from neonatal calves, 20% of
samples from weaned calves, and 8% of samples from fresh
cows. There was no significant difference in recovery of viral
nucleic acid from nasal versus faecal swabs. There was poor
correlation between animal antibody levels and virus shedding
in animals (r=0,48). The biosecurity on 41 dairies was scored
with overall score of 58%, external biosecurity score of 69%
and internal biosecurity score of 41%. The biosecurity scores
recorded were slightly above the world average score usually
recorded for dairies that have used the Biocheck survey. The
virus shedding in cattle tended to be higher in herds with over-
all higher biosecurity scores. However, antibody levels in cattle
were non-significantly lower in herds with a higher biosecurity
score.
Conclusion: The preliminary results from this study indi-
cate that BCoV is commonly present in both the respiratory
and enteric pathway in the dairy cattle population in the EU,
with all herds being seropositive to the virus, and the virus
present in numerous herds. The farm management and bios-
ecurity measures associated with BCoV will be further inves-
tigated.
Keywords: Bovine coronavirus, prevalence, biosecurity,
risk management, Europe.
ID-09
Pathogen-specific prevalence and pathogen associations
during outbreaks of Bovine Respiratory Disease in calves
in Flanders
Geert Hoflack1, Maude Lebrun1, Geert Vertenten2, Bart Sustronck1.
MSD Animal Health, Brussels, Belgium; 2MSD Animal Health,
1
Boxmeer, Netherlands.
Objectives: Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is a major
health problem during calf rearing in many farms. The objec-
tive of this study was to obtain further insights into the impor-
tance of different pathogens involved and possible pathogen
associations during outbreaks of BRD in calves in Flanders.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
218
Materials & Methods: A cross-sectional study was per-
formed from January 2019 until December 2021. The target
population consisted of cattle herds from the northern part of
Belgium (Flanders) with a current acute outbreak of BRD. Re-
spiratory samples, consisting of either nasopharyngeal swabs,
broncho-alveolar lavage fluid or lung tissue, were collected
from affected calves in those herds and submitted for patho-
gen detection. Pathogen detection was performed using semi-
quantitative real-time PCR test targeting seven bovine respi-
ratory pathogens: bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV),
bovine parainfluenzavirus type 3 (PI3V), bovine coronavirus
(BCoV), Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, My-
coplasma bovis, and Histophilus somni. The results were an-
alyzed using R software (R Core Team, 2017). Multivariable
logistic regression models were constructed for each of the
seven respiratory pathogens. As predictors, the PCR results
of the other six pathogens besides the outcome pathogen
were considered for the analysis. Additional predictors in the
models were season of outbreak occurrence and sample type.
Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
Results: In total 245 outbreaks of BRD were assessed. At
least one pathogen was detected in 185 (75.5%) of those out-
breaks. Single as well as multiple viral infections were detect-
ed in 31.8 and 43.7% of outbreaks, respectively. BRSV was
the most frequently isolated virus (38 positive/245 outbreaks,
15.5%). In 73.7% of outbreaks where BRSV was detected, it
was the only viral agent detected. BCoV was detected in 31
out of 245 outbreaks (12.7%) and was the only virus detect-
ed in 21 of those outbreaks (67.7%). PI3V was only detected
in 3.7% of outbreaks and these were predominantly multiple
viral infections (88.9%). Pasteurella multocida, Mannheimia
haemolytica, Mycoplasma bovis, and Histophilus somni were
detected in, respectively 58.8, 25.3, 21.6, and 20.8 % of the
outbreaks.
In the present study, a PCR positive result for BRSV was
associated with an increased detection rate of Mycoplasma
bovis (OR 2.65, CI95% 1.17-6.01) and PI3V (OR 9.63, CI95%
2.14-52.5). Mannheimia haemolytica was associated with an
increased detection rate of PI3V (OR 7.36, CI95% 1.51-53.9),
Mycoplasma bovis (OR 2.21, CI95% 1.07-4.55), and Pasteu-
rella multocida (OR 2.19, CI95% 1.09-4.57). Detection of BCoV
during an outbreak of BRD was associated with a higher risk
for the detection of PI3V (OR 5.96, CI95% 1.24-29.8). Besides
the association of Mycoplasma bovis with Mannheimia hae-
molytica and BRSV, Mycoplasma bovis detection was also
associated with a higher risk for the detection of Pasteurella
multocida (OR 2.80, CI95% 1.35-6.17), and Histophilus somni
(OR 2.96, CI95% 1.46-5.96). A seasonal effect was shown for
BRSV (OR 4.85, CI95% 2.09-12.70) and Mannheimia haemo-
lytica (OR 3.09, CI95% 1.54-6.37) isolation, with a higher preva-
lence in winter and spring compared to summer and autumn.
Sample type was only observed to be associated with the iso-
lation rate of Mannheimia haemolytica, with a more frequent
isolation from broncho-alveolar lavage fluid than deep naso-
pharyngeal swabs (OR 7.9, CI95% 1.29-1.53).
Conclusion: The use of PCR as a diagnostic tool during
BRD outbreaks is very valuable since in more than 75% of
cases an etiological diagnosis could be established. BRSV
and BCoV are the most frequently involved viral pathogens
and acted predominantly as single viral agents. We demon-
strated a seasonal influence on the occurrence of BRSV and

Mannheimia haemolytica with higher risk of disease in winter
and spring. Finally, we found multiple interactions between
pathogens responsible for BRD outbreaks in calves. This ob-
servation could be useful for the implementation of specific
combined preventive measures at the farm level.
Keywords: Bovine respiratory disease, calves, diagnosis,
PCR.
ID-11
Genomics-based epidemiology and antimicrobial
susceptibility of Mycoplasma bovis isolates from veal, dairy
and beef herds
Jade Bokma1, Nick Vereecke2, Linde Gille3, Laura Van Driessche1,
Koen De Bleecker4, Hans Nauwynck2, Freddy Haesebrouck5,
Sebastiaan Theuns2, Filip Boyen5, Bart Pardon1.
1
Department of Large Animal Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary
Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium; 2Department
of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary
Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium; 3Clinical Department
of Production Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University
of Liege, Liege, Belgium; 4DGZ (Animal Health Service-Flanders),
Torhout, Belgium; 5Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian
diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Objectives: Mycoplasma bovis associated pneumonia
is feared around the world, in particular because of its poor
response to antimicrobial therapy. A rise in antimicrobial re-
sistance of M. bovis is reported worldwide over the last two
decades. Whether different, more resistant strains exist in
industries such as the veal industry (more intensive antimi-
crobial use) compared to conventional dairy and beef farms,
is currently unknown. Therefore, the objectives of this study
were to compare strains originating from the veal, dairy and
beef industry both on their genetic relatedness and antimicro-
bial susceptibility.
Materials and methods: MIC-values were determined for
macrolides, tetracyclines, florfenicol, gentamicin, enrofloxacin
and tiamulin with microbroth dilution on 144 epidemiologically
independent Belgian M. bovis isolates (31 dairy, 70 beef, 11
dairy-beef mixed and 32 veal farms), mostly obtained from the
respiratory tract. For a selection of 100 of these isolates (29
dairy, 41 beef, and 30 veal), the whole genome was sequenced
by MinION Nanopore sequencing. The reference strain M.
bovis PG45 was used as quality control in all experiments.
Antimicrobial susceptibility data were analyzed using the ep-
idemiological cut-off estimated by the visual eye-ball meth-
od to distinguish between wild type (WT) and non-wild type
(nWT). Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) analysis was
performed to type M. bovis strains, but also to pinpoint spe-
cific genetic markers in targeted genes, which were shown to
associate with the observed phenotypic susceptibility results.
Binary logistic regression (0: WT; 1: nWT) was performed on
different sectors to compare antimicrobial susceptibility be-
tween sectors. In addition, a phylogenetic tree was developed
using CSI Phylogeny (Center for Genomic Epidemiology) for
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Infectious Diseases
SNP calling on consensus sequences to compare strains be-
tween sectors.
Results: Highest MIC-values were observed for macro-
lides, where almost all strains showed acquired resistance
against 16-membered macrolides (tilmicosin and tylosin), and
about 50% against the 15-membered macrolide, gamithromy-
cin. A limited number of isolates showed acquired resistance
against gentamicin, florfenicol, enrofloxacin and tiamulin. Al-
most all strains belonged to the wild type population for the
tetracyclines (oxytetracycline and doxycycline). A remarkable
difference between sectors was observed for gamithromycin,
showing that beef herds (59% nWT) had a three times higher
odds (95%CI: 1.23-7.35) for gamithromycin resistant M. bovis
than dairy herds (32% nWT)(P = 0.02), whereas veal herds did
not significantly differ from both sectors (47% nWT). The phy-
logenetic tree showed different clusters, although strains could
not be associated with certain sectors. Specific genetic mark-
ers could be linked to acquired resistance for most strains.
Conclusions: This study shows that acquired resistance
in Belgian M. bovis isolates is highest against macrolides,
and minimal for tetracyclines. Secondly, no clear difference
in acquired resistance (with the exception of gamithromycin)
or strains between sectors were observed. This information
could contribute to recommendations on antimicrobial therapy
in case of M. bovis outbreaks and to further understanding of
the epidemiology of this pathogen.
Keywords: Belgium, epidemiological cutoff, gamithromy-
cin, tetracyclines.
ID-12
Intranasal Bacterial Therapeutics Reduce Colonization
by the Respiratory Pathogen Mannheimia haemolytica in
Dairy Calves
Edouard Timsit1, Samat Amat2, Trevor Alexander3.
University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada; 2University of Alberta,
1
Edmonton, Canada; 3Agriculture and Agrifood Canada, Calgary,
Canada.
Background/Objectives: Six Lactobacillus strains orig-
inating from the nasopharyngeal microbiota of cattle were
previously characterized in vitro and identified as candidate
bacterial therapeutics (BTs) for mitigating the bovine respira-
tory pathogen Mannheimia haemolytica. In the present study,
these BT strains were evaluated for their potential to (i) reduce
nasal colonization by M. haemolytica, (ii) modulate the nasal
microbiota, and (iii) stimulate an immune response in calves
experimentally challenged with M. haemolytica.
Materials and Methods: Twenty-four Holstein bull calves
(1 to 3 weeks old) received either an intra-nasal BT cocktail
containing 6 Lactobacillus strains (3 x 109 CFU per strain; BT
+ Mh group) 24 h prior to intranasal M. haemolytica challenge
(3 x 108 CFU) or no BTs prior to challenge (Mh, control group).
Nasal swab, blood, and transtracheal aspiration samples were
collected over the course of 16 days after BT inoculation.
Counts of M. haemolytica were determined by culturing, and
219
ORAL — Infectious Diseases
the nasal and tracheal microbiotas were evaluated using 16S
rRNA gene sequencing. Serum cytokines (interleukin-6 [IL-6],
IL-8, and IL-10) were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosor-
bent assay (ELISA).
Results: Administration of BT reduced nasal colonization
by M. haemolytica (P = 0.02), modified the composition and di-
versity of the nasal microbiota, and altered interbacterial rela-
tionships among the 10 most relatively abundant genera. The
BT + Mh calves also had a lower relative abundance of Mann-
heimia in the trachea (P <0.01) but similar cytokine levels as
Mh calves.
Conclusion: This study demonstrated that intranasal BTs
developed from the bovine nasopharyngeal Lactobacillus spp.
were effective in reducing nasal colonization by M. haemolyt-
ica in dairy calves.
Keywords: Bovine respiratory disease, Lactobacillus spp.,
respiratory microbiota, dairy calves, probiotics.
ID-13
Prevalence of different pathogens of bovine respiratory
disease (BRD) in feedlot cattle in Spain
José María San Miguel Ayanz1, Michela Re2, Francisco Javier García
Peña3, Alfredo Suarez-Inclán1, Eugenia Peralta1, Nacho Peón1, Javier
Blanco Murcia2.
1
Zoetis Spain S.L.U., Madrid, Spain; 2Department of Animal Medicine
and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University Complutense,
Madrid, Madrid, Spain; 3GEMAS (Grupo de Estudio de Medicina para
la conservación de Animales Salvajes), Madrid, Spain.
Objectives: Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is a com-
mon endemic disease among Spanish feedlot cattle. BRD is
the major cause of morbidity and mortality in feedlot cattle,
resulting in significant economic losses due to treatment costs
as well as reduced feed efficiency and animal product quality.
Multiple factors such as the feedlot environment, co-infection
with viruses, and stress related to transportation and mixing
of cattle may contribute to the development of BRD. The dis-
ease complex is caused by one or more primary pathogens,
including respiratory viruses and Mycoplasma spp., commonly
complicated by a secondary bacterial infection, or by bacteria
alone. Important bacteria associated with bronchopneumonia
in feedlot cattle include Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella
multocida, Histophilus somni, Trueperella pyogenes and My-
coplasma bovis.
The studies on the prevalence of different pathogens in
Spain are very few and there is no study that covers the prev-
alence of virus and bacteria and that focuses on the entire
Spanish territory so far. The aim of the current study was to
obtain real data on the prevalence of viral and bacterial patho-
gens in feedlot cattle in Spain in the two main production man-
agement systems, suckling calves and yearlings calves.
Materials and methods: The study was carried out in
Spain in 2017. We collected samples from 58 feedlots to
determine the prevalence of the major viral and bacterial
pathogens. Bovine Herpesvirus type 1 (BoHV-1), Bovine Vi-
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
220
ral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV), Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus
(BRSV), Parainfluenza Virus type 3 (PI-3) and the bacterial
pathogens Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida,
Histophilus somni, Trueperella pyogenes and Mycoplasma bo-
vis are considered to be major primary and secondary patho-
gens in BRD.
The typical size of batches of cattle entering Spanish feed-
lots ranges between 80 and 120 animals. Serum samples
were collected from at least 10 randomly selected animals at
30-40 days on feed (DOF), representing approximately 10%
of the animals in a batch. Serum samples were collected from
58 different feedlots: 22 units feeding suckled calves and 36
units feeding yearling calves with an annual production of
270.000 calves, representing around 17 % of the total feedlot
production in Spain. The feedlots were located in the main cat-
tle feedlot regions of Spain: Catalonia, Andalusia, Castilla la
Mancha, Castilla León and Galicia. A total of 723 serum sam-
ples were collected. Refrigerated serum samples were sent
to a Spanish commercial laboratory for assay of viral and M.
bovis antibodies using ELISA kits.
Deep nasopharyngeal swabs or trans-traqueal aspirations
samples were collected for bacteriology from 21 feedlots from
calves requiring BRD treatment during the feeding period. A
total of 188 samples were analyzed in the laboratory. Upon
arrival, the swabs were suspended and seeded onto a range
of plates containing suitable culture media. The bacterial col-
onies were identified according to morphology, Gram staining,
and biochemical and growth characteristics. Identification of
M. bovis, M. haemolytica and P. multocida was confirmed by
polymerase chain reaction test.
Results: The results obtained revealed the presence of
M. bovis, M. haemolytica and P. multocida in BRD cases in
100 %, 53 % and 88 % of the feedlots respectively. The culture
individual prevalence in the positive feedlots was 77 % for M.
bovis, 42 % for P. multocida, 25 % for M. haemolytica and 0 %
for T. pyogenes and H. somni.
A high seroprevalence for BoHV-1, BVDV, BRSV, PI-3 virus
and M. bovis was found in both suckling and yearling calves
feedlots. The seroprevalence for suckling calves feedlots was
100 %, 91 %, 82 %, 77 % and 91 % for BoHV-1, BVDV, BRSV,
PI-3 virus and M. bovis respectively. The seroprevalence for
yearling calves feedlots was 82 %, 94 %, 94 %, 97 % and
100 % for BoHV-1, BVDV, BRSV, PI-3 virus and M. bovis re-
spectively. A high individual seroprevalence ranging from 30 to
70 % was also found at 30-40 DOF.
Conclusions: The prevalence of the major BRD patho-
gens in Spanish feedlots is high in both types of feedlot pro-
duction units. The data indicate that contagion of the pathogen
is rapid in Spanish feedlots. The results underscore the im-
portance of selecting an antimicrobial which has proven effi-
cacy against Mycoplasma bovis and the importance of design
strong vaccination protocols and management practices to
reduce the impact of viral pathogens.
Keywords: Bovine respiratory disease, prevalence, feed-
lot cattle.

ID-14
Prevalence of different pathogens of bovine respiratory
disease (BRD) in dairy heifers in Spain
José María San Miguel Ayanz1, Javier Blanco Murcia2, Francisco
Javier García Peña3, Alfredo Suarez-Inclán1, Eugenia Peralta1, Nacho
Peón1, Michela Re2.
1
Zoetis Spain S.L.U., Madrid, Spain; 2Department of Animal Medicine
and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University Complutense,
Madrid, Madrid, Spain; 3GEMAS (Grupo de Estudio de Medicina para
la conservación de Animales Salvajes), Madrid, Spain.
Objectives: Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is a com-
mon endemic disease among Spanish dairy farms, impacting
mainly the young animals. BRD is the major cause of morbidity
and mortality in dairy heifers, resulting in significant economic
losses due to treatment costs as well as the appearance of
chronic animals with a reduced productive life or with a de-
lay in reaching the breeding time. Multiple factors such as the
dairy farm environment, co-infection with viruses, and stress
related to regrouping of heifers may contribute to the develop-
ment of BRD. The disease complex is caused by one or more
primary pathogens, including respiratory viruses and Myco-
plasma spp., commonly complicated by a secondary bacterial
infection, or by bacteria alone. Important bacteria associated
with bronchopneumonia in dairy heifers include Mannheimia
haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, Histophilus somni, True-
perella pyogenes and Mycoplasma bovis. The studies on the
prevalence of different pathogens in Spain are very few and
there is no study that covers the prevalence of virus and bacte-
ria and that focuses on the entire Spanish territory so far. The
aim of the current study was to obtain real data on the preva-
lence of viral and bacterial pathogens in dairy heifers in Spain.
Materials and methods: The study was carried out in
Spain in 2017. We collected samples from 50 dairy farms
to determine the prevalence of the major viral and bacterial
pathogens. Bovine Herpesvirus type 1 (BoHV-1), Bovine Vi-
ral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV), Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus
(BRSV), Parainfluenza Virus type 3 (PI-3) and the bacterial
pathogens Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida,
Histophilus somni, Trueperella pyogenes and Mycoplasma bo-
vis are considered to be major primary and secondary patho-
gens in bovine respiratory disease (BRD).
Serum samples were collected from at least 10 randomly
selected animals at 30-40 days after a BRD outbreak. Serum
samples were collected from 50 different dairy farms with an
heifer census of 33.250 dairy heifers, representing around 7 %
of the total Spanish dairy heifers. The dairy farms were located
in the main dairy production regions of Spain: Galicia, Astur-
ias, Cantabria, Catalonia, Castilla León, Navarra, Valencia,
Castilla la Mancha and Andalusia. A total of 540 serum sam-
ples were collected. Refrigerated serum samples were sent to
a Spanish commercial laboratory (Eurofins) for assay of viral
and M. bovis antibodies using ELISA kits.
Deep nasopharyngeal swabs or trans-traqueal aspirations
samples were collected for bacteriology from 37 dairy farms
from dairy calves requiring BRD treatment during the weening
period. A total of 316 samples were transported to the labo-
ratory in transport media containing activated charcoal. Upon
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Infectious Diseases
arrival, the swabs were suspended and seeded onto a range
of plates containing suitable culture media. The bacterial col-
onies were identified according to morphology, Gram staining,
and biochemical and growth characteristics. Identification of
M. bovis, M. haemolytica and P. multocida was confirmed by
polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test.
Results: The results obtained revealed the presence of M.
bovis, M. haemolytica, P. multocida and T. pyogenes in BRD
cases in 75 %, 11 %, 24 % and 16 % of the dairy farms respec-
tively. The culture individual prevalence in the positive dairy
farms was 41 % for M. bovis, 16 % for P. multocida, 21 % for
M. haemolytica, 45 % for T. pyogenes and 0 % for H.somni.
A high seroprevalence for BoHV-1, BVDV, BRSV, PI-3 vi-
rus and M. bovis was found in dairy heifers. The seropreva-
lence for dairy farms was 21 %, 32 %, 41 %, 44 % and 30 % for
BoHV-1, BVDV, BRSV, PI-3 virus and M. bovis respectively. A
high individual seroprevalence ranging from 45 to 88 % was
also found 30-40 days after the BRD outbreaks.
Conclusions: The prevalence of the major BRD patho-
gens in Spanish dairy farms is high. The data indicate that
contagion of the pathogen is rapid in Spanish dairy farms. The
results underscore the importance of selecting an antimicrobi-
al which has proven efficacy against Mycoplasma bovis and
the importance of design strong vaccination protocols and
management practices to reduce the impact of viral pathogens
in dairy heifers in Spain.
Keywords: Bovine respiratory disease, prevalence, dairy
heifers.
ID-15
Use of quantitative serology as a new practical tool for
veterinarians to follow up BVD status on vaccinated farms
Carlos Carbonell1, Rita Aida Ambroggio2, Rebeca Conde2, Marcelino
Álvarez3, Laura Elvira4.
1
MSD Animal Health Spain, Salamanca, Spain; 2Livestock Sanitary
Group ADSG Mazaricos, Galicia, Spain; 3University of Leon, León,
Spain; 4MSD Animal Health, Spain, Salamanca, Spain.
Objectives: The bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) virus causes
significant economic losses in cattle farms. Indeed, various
EU countries have done voluntary or mandatory eradication
plans. Different schemes have three central elements: bios-
ecurity, elimination of persistently infected animals and herd
monitoring. In addition, many programs include systematic
vaccination against BVD as an additional biosecurity measure
(EU Thematic network BVDV, 2001; Moening et al., 2007).
For monitoring, the detection of antibodies continues to be
the fastest, most practical and economical method to assess
exposure to BVD (González et al., 2014). Therefore, some
countries and regional programs, such as the ADSG in Gali-
cia, base their control programs on ELISA tests that are car-
ried out periodically on youngstock serum and bulk tank.
A possible concern regarding vaccination is the interfer-
ence of the vaccine response with serological monitoring of
221
ORAL — Infectious Diseases
the herd. However, previous studies in a reduced number of
farms have shown how the combination of sampling age (6-
18 months old) and quantitative values of BVD p80 antibody
ELISA, could be a useful tool to determine the BVD status of
a herd, even if vaccinated with inactivated vaccines (Carbonell
et al., 2019; Eze et al.,2019).
The main objective of this study was to analyze in many
farms the practical use of quantitative BVD p80 antibody ELI-
SA to differentiate between field virus circulation and BVD vac-
cination.
Materials and methods: Serum samples from 50 farms
included in the Voluntary ADSG Control Program of Galicia
were analyzed in 2019. The farms were classified based in
their BVD status into three types: RC, recent circulation of
BVD (5), BOV, vaccinated with an inactivated BVD vaccine
(Bovilis® BVD) (40), LV, vaccinated with a live BVD vaccine
(5). In the vaccinated farms (BOV and LV) no persistently in-
fected animals had been detected in the previous two years.
All samples were analyzed in the Animal Health and Pro-
duction Laboratory of Galicia by ELISA BVD antibody (IDEXX,
BVDV p80 Ab Test). For this quantitative study, the results
were expressed as Inhibition Percentage of the optical den-
sity (IP-OD). The ELISA results were categorized according
to the manufacturer’s instructions as: negative (>50), doubtful
(40-50) or positive (<40). All positive samples (OD <40) were
further divided over 4 groups (<10; 10-20; 20-30 ;30-40). Fur-
thermore, the lower the PI, the higher the titer of antibodies
present in the sample. For the statistical processing a descrip-
tive analysis was performed using Excel 2016.
Results: A total of 976 serum samples were included in
the analysis (101 RC, 780 BOV and 95 LV).
21.65, 70.5 and 23.66% of the samples were seronegative
while 70.1, 8.9 and 48.4% were positive to ELISA with IP-OD
<10 in RC, BOV and LV group, respectively. Moreover, the
average PI value of positive samples was 6.5+4.8, 21.9+14.1
and 11.3+8.2 in RC, BOV and LV group, respectively.
A more detailed analysis by segmentation into four age
categories (6-12m, 13-18m, 19-24m and > 25m) reveled two
clear patterns: In the BOV group, the percentage of seroneg-
ative samples was even higher in animals 6-18 months old
(82.9% in both); while the percentage of samples IP-OD <10
was very low (4.9%, 2.2%, 12.4% and 16.1%, respectively in
all four age groups). However, in the RC and LV group the
percentage of seronegative samples was much lower (40.0
-20.0% 6-12m and 31.3-20.8% 13-18m, respectively); while
the percentage of positive ELISA IP-OD <10 was very high
(60.0-60.0%, 86.7-50.0%; 50.0-56.7% and 73.2-38.2% for RC
and LV per group, respectively).
Moreover, if we analyze the distribution of positive results
based on the IP-OD result of ELISA in a boxplot, the first, sec-
ond and third quartile of the BOV group (9.5,21.0,34.0) rep-
resents a different pattern to the RC group (4.0,5.0,7.0) and
LV group (6.0,8.0,12.8); showing patterns that easily allows
the differentiate the positives due to vaccination with the inac-
tivated vaccine (BOV) vs virus circulation (RC). However, this
serology is not useful to monitor LV farms as their patterns are
difficult to differentiate to RC ones.
Conclusions: The use of quantitative IP-OD ELISA val-
ues, using IDEXX p80 antibodies ELISA test, seems to offer
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
222
a useful tool to assess BVD status in farms vaccinated with
inactivated vaccines. Moreover, this interpretation adds value
to the technical advisor at farm level by improving their moni-
toring system.
Keywords: BVD, serology, quantitative, vaccine,
monitoring.
ID-16
Pasteurella multocida, Mannheimia haemolytica and
Bovine Corona Virus are the most frequently detected
respiratory pathogens from bronchoalveolar lavages in
Dutch dairy BRD calves
Henk Kuijk, Pleun Penterman, Geert Vertenten.
MSD Animal Health, Boxmeer, Netherlands.
Objectives: Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is a com-
mon cause of morbidity and mortality in dairy calves, which has
long-term consequences including decreased milk production,
poor reproductive performance, and poor growth and longevi-
ty. Although management practices such as commingling and
group housing increase BRD risk, viral and bacterial patho-
gens cause the lesions characteristic of BRD. Monitoring and
testing for pathogens associated with BRD may facilitate the
development of appropriate, targeted vaccination pro-grams.
From November 2019 until the end of December 2021,
MSD Animal Health performed several diagnoses of respirato-
ry pathogens by PCR on bronchoalveolar lavages (BALs) on
Dutch dairy farms vaccinating against Mannheimia haemolyti-
ca, Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus (BRSV) and Parainflu-
enza 3 virus (PI3).
This manuscript gives an overview of the first results of the
BALs performed on those Dutch dairy farms.
Materials & Methods: From several calves suffering from
BRD on dairy farms vaccinating against BRD pathogens in the
Netherlands, a BAL sample was taken as previously described
(Van Driessche et al. 2016). Samples were transported at am-
bient temperature and analyzed at the Veterinary Laboratory
Gelderland (Epe, The Netherlands) by PCR for Pasteurella
multocida, Mannheimia haemolytica, Bovine Corona Virus,
Mycoplasma bovis, Histophilus somni, BRSV and PI3.
Results: During the defined timeframe, 194 BALs from
calves between 2 weeks and 6 months old were performed
on 80 dairy farms from which 78,3%, 25,7%, 21,6% 13,4%,
12,3%, 10,3% and 1,5% of the samples were positive for re-
spectively Pasteurella multocida, Mannheimia haemolytica,
Bovine Corona Virus, Mycoplasma bovis, Histophilus somni,
BRSV and PI3. This is in line with similar studies from Bel-
gium (n=3234) (Griepbarometer DGZ, https://www.dgz.be/
rundvee/gezondheidszorg/bioveiligheid-en-preventie/monitor-
ing-en-vaccinatie/griepbarometer, accessed at Jan 12th 2022)
showing the following prevalences for respectively Pasteurel-
la multocida, Mannheimia haemolytica, Bovine Corona Virus,
Mycoplasma bovis, Histophilus somni, BRSV and PI3 : 74,0%,

35,8%, 19,8%, 27,7%, 25,7%,21,1% and 5,5%. Both studies
show that the most prevalent bacterial pathogens are Pasteu-
rella multocida and Mannheimia haemolytica, while the most
prevalent viral pathogen is clearly Bovine Corona Virus.
Finally, we compared the results of this PCR study with the
seroprevalences of respiratory samples from BRD calves on
non-vaccinating dairy farms (Kuijk et al., 2022). The most re-
markable finding from this comparison was on PI3: only 1,5%
of the BALs in this study (BRD calves on vaccinating farms)
were positive for PI3 specific RNA where 66,6% of the animals
in the serology study (BRD calves on non-vaccinating farms)
were positive for PI3 antibodies. This demonstrates that many
animals get in contact with PI3 field virus early in life or are still
seropositive by the presence of maternal antibodies. But on
the other hand, it is hard to detect PI3 BALs from BRD calves.
Conclusion: From this study, it can be concluded that
Pasteurella multocida, Mannheimia haemolytica and Bovine
Corona Virus are the most frequently detected respiratory
pathogens from dairy calves suffering from Bovine Respira-
tory Disease.
Keywords: BRD, dairy calves, Pasteurella multocida,
Mannheimia haemolytica, Bovine Corona Virus.
ID-17
Prevalence of respiratory pathogens on Danish cattle farms
Katja Mikkelsen1, Liff Nielsen1, Geert Vertenten2.
1
MSD Animal Health, Copenhagen, Denmark; 2MSD Animal Health,
Boxmeer, Netherlands.
Objectives: Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) is a costly
and multifactorial disease of young and growing cattle. The
factors that predispose to BRD include stress related to over-
stocking, moving or mixing cattle, poor ventilation or draughts,
sudden climatic changes, mixing of various age groups, nu-
tritional deficiencies, inadequate colostrum intake, and poor
feed hygiene. These stress situations facilitate infection by
primary viral pathogens which cause lung damage. The viral
damage to the lungs may pave the way for various bacterial
pathogens such as Mannheimia haemolytica (Mh), Pasteurel-
la multocida (PM) and Mycoplasma bovis (MB).
Vaccination is an important tool in managing BRD. Iden-
tification of major respiratory pathogens on farms with BRD
problems can offer valuable insights helping establish an ap-
propriate vaccination program.
In 2019 and 2020 MSD Animal Health used a testing ap-
proach BRD QuickScan to evaluate exposure to BRD patho-
gens present on several Danish farms. The BRD QuickScan
involves detection of antibodies against Mh, Bovine Respirato-
ry Syncytial Virus (BRSV), Bovine Corona Virus (BCV), Para-
influenza 3 virus (PI3V), MB and PM. The results of the BRD
QuickScan and situation analysis was then used to provide the
farms with a tailor-made advice including BRD vaccination and
improvement of management factors predisposing to BRD.
This manuscript gives an overview of the prevalence of
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Infectious Diseases
respiratory pathogens in Danish dairy farms and calf rearing
operations with BRD problems.
Materials & Methods: The tested farms were selected
based on the herd veterinarian defining them as having a BRD
problem. On the selected farms, serum samples were taken
from around 10 calves > 2,5 months old. The samples were
subjected to the BRD QuickScan procedure in the Centre for
Diagnostic Solutions (MSD Animal Health, Netherlands). An
in-house ELISA test was used to measure Mh, PM, BCV and
BRSV antibodies, whereas for PI3V and MB commercial ELI-
SA kits were used (IDEXX and Bio-X respectively). The test for
antibodies against BCV was only performed on samples from
June 2020 onwards.
Results: In total, 51 BRD QuickScans were performed: 38
on samples from dairy farms (371 calves) and 13 from calf
rearing operations (134 calves) meeting the same farm selec-
tion and calf-age criteria. At the farm level, 100% of the test-
ed farms had samples positive for Mh and PI3V antibodies,
whereas 94%, 73% and 40% were positive for PM, MB and
BRSV respectively. All farms (100%) included in testing for
BCV antibodies had positive samples.
At the calf level, no presence of antibodies against any of
the pathogens tested was detected only in 1% of calves. Sam-
ples from 98% of calves were positive for antibodies against
Mh, but only 3% of samples were positive for Mh antibodies
only. Simultaneous presence of antibodies against Mh and vi-
ral BRD pathogens (BRSV and/or PI3V) was detected in 82%
of samples. None of the samples had a mixed Mh - MB anti-
body presence.
Eighty-three percent of the samples were positive for an-
tibodies against PI3V and/or BRSV. One percent were only
positive for PI3V antibodies and none of the calves were pos-
itive for only BRSV antibodies. These findings confirm the im-
portance of the viral pathogens in the BRD complex, mainly in
combination with Mh.
Conclusion: All farms tested had calves positive for Mh
and PI3V antibodies, and all farms tested for BCV antibod-
ies had positive samples. At the calf level, the most frequently
detected antibodies were those detected against Mh with a
prevalence of 98% followed by PI3V with a prevalence of 82%
of all calves tested with the BRD QuickScan. The results sug-
gest that the pathogens circulating on Danish BRD problem
farms were in most cases (82%) co-infections of bacteria and
viruses, while Mh was involved in all cases.
The findings demonstrate that the BRD QuickScan can
be a valuable tool supporting the vet and the farmer in the
decision-making process around BRD control and prevention.
For most pathogens circulating on farms with BRD problems,
vaccines are commercially available and therefore an insight
into the pathogens the animals are exposed to on a partic-
ular farm should help motivate the farmers to adopt prophy-
lactic vaccination. Moreover, knowledge of the BRD pathogen
landscape and specific farm risk factors should help the vets
develop a tailor-made prophylactic vaccination programme for
each farm.
Keywords: Bovine respiratory complex, pathogens, prev-
alence.
223
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ID-18
Risk factors for BVDV introduction into Dutch dairy herds
in a national control programme
Emma Strous, Irene Bisschop, Jet Mars, Linda Van Duijn, Frederik
Waldeck, Paul Wever, Gerdien Van Schaik.
Royal GD, Deventer, Netherlands.
Objectives: After many years of voluntary control and de-
creasing prevalence, a national control programme for bovine
viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) is in place for Dutch dairy herds
since 2018. Introduction of BVDV is minimized by regulations
with respect to purchase of cattle from herds with a lower
BVDV status. However, BVDV was introduced in several tens
of herds in 2019-2021. The aim of the study was to determine
risk factors for introduction of BVDV in the context of the na-
tional control programme.
Material & Methods: In a case-control design, herds with
a confirmed BVDV introduction (cases) were compared with
control herds that were located near the case herd, which
remained free of BVDV. Both case and control herds were
visited by a veterinarian and an extensive questionnaire was
applied about the possible risk factors for BVDV introduction
in the previous two years. In total, 149 cases and 148 controls
were visited. Logistic regression analysis was carried out to
determine the significant risk factors (P<0.05).
Results: The final multivariable model consisted of seven
risk factors. Purchasing cattle from non-free herds (OR=1.25)
and cattle from other herds that escaped and mingled with
cattle from the own herd (OR=1.16) were risk factors relat-
ed to direct animal contact. Risk factors for indirect external
contact were: distance of less than 500m to beef cattle herds
(OR=1.15), a permanent employee (OR=1.17) and the farmer
working outside the farm in other cattle herds (OR=1.25). Risk
factors that seemed more related to internal biosecurity were:
housing of adult cattle and calves in the same barn (OR=1.22)
and use of a group pen for calving (OR=1.16).
Conclusion: In conclusion, the risk factors for introduction
of BVDV in free herds varied considerable between herds and
had fairly low odds, indicating that there were many smaller
biosecurity risks that need to be mitigated.
Keywords: BVDV, biosecurity, control programme.
ID-19
Voluntary control program against Mycobacterium avium
subsp. paratuberculosis in cattle farms from the Livestock
Health Defence Group Costa da Morte in Galicia (NW
Spain)
Eduardo Yus1, Francisco Javier Villaamil2, Ignacio Arnaiz3, Francisco
Javier Diéguez1.
Facultad de Veterinaria, Lugo, Spain; 2ADSG Coste da Morte, A
1
Coruña, Spain; 3Laboratorio de Sanidad y Producción Animal, A
Coruña, Spain.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
224
Objectives: Galicia is the main dairy cattle of the country,
with 55% of the farms and 38% of the milk production. The
mean herd size per farm is 43 cows. In 2004, a voluntary con-
trol program against Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuber-
culosis (Map), causal agent of bovine paratuberculosis, was
implemented in Galicia (NW Spain). 8,664 farms are currently
integrated in the program, representing 26.2% of the herds
(50.2% of the animals).
In the NW of Galicia, the Livestock Health Defence Group
(LHDG) Costa da Morte, had 243 herds integrated in the vol-
untary control program (cattle and dairy farms) ranging from
539 to 5 animals (mean herd size of 68 cows).
The aim was to present the evolution of the program in
LHDG Costa da Morte according to the laboratory results be-
tween 2014 and 2019.
Materials and methods: Blood samples are taken annu-
ally to animals older than 2 years for the 243 herds involved in
the program, according to the following schedule:
• In Map infected herds, all cows over two years during
the next years to elimination of fecal positive animals.
• 40% of animals over two years in herds not confirmed
as infected.
The serums are analyzed for anti-Map antibodies with
commercial ELISA and fecal samples of all ELISA-positive
samples are analyzed by PCR or bacterial culture. Fecal pos-
itive animals must be sacrificed.
Additionally, all purchased animals were analyzed by ELI-
SA. Positive ELISA or PCR animals must not be incorporated
into farms.
Information of biosecurity and supervision of implementa-
tion of management measures to reduce fecal-oral contamina-
tion is also recorded in the program.
Results: The seropositive herds in LHDG studied (at least
with one animal with anti-Map antibodies) varied between a
maximum of 15.3% in 2015 and a minimum of 9.6% in 2018.
These results are better than those obtained in all LHDG of
Galicia with a maximum of 22% in 2015 and a minimum of
17.7% in 2017.
At animal level, the seropositivity varied between a maxi-
mum of 1.8% in 2014 (15.2% were positive-PCR/bacterial cul-
ture) and a minimum of 1% in 2018 (2.9% were positive-PCR/
bacterial culture). In all LHDG of Galicia, it was observed a
maximum of 2.8% in 2014 (20.8% were positive-PCR/bacte-
rial culture) and minimum of 1.8% in 2017 (13.5% were posi-
tive-PCR/bacterial culture).
The percentage of seropositive in purchased animals did
not exceed 2.8% any year, with a minimum of 0% in 2018 (nev-
er above 1.7% with a minimum of 0.7% in 2017 in all LHDG).
Only about 26% of the farms purchased cattle (33.7% in
the whole region) and most farmers do not request information
on the overall status of the origin farms.
Conclusions: Control programs are having an impact on
the sanitary status. Collecting data is an important first step to
identification of biosecurity shortcomings; however, apart from
the control of purchased animals (mandatory), programs do
not seem to have significant influence on the application of
many other measures concerning biosecurity.
Acknowledgements: Animal Health and Production Lab-

oratory of Galicia, Xunta of Galicia
Keywords: Mycobacterium avium susp. paratuberculosis,
cattle farms, control program, Spain.
ID-20
Comparison of different sampling sites and techniques
for the detection of Mycobacterium avium subsp.
paratuberculosis in environmental fecal samples in
paratuberculosis positive cattle herds
Johannes Lorenz Khol1, Martina Mattes1, Michael Dünser2, Waler
Baumgartner1.
1
University Clinic for Ruminants, University of Veterinary Medicine
Vienna, Vienna, Austria; 2Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety,
Linz, Austria.
Objectives: Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculo-
sis (MAP) is causing paratuberculosis (Johne´s disease, JD)
in cattle and is known to survive for an extended period of
time in the environment. The objective of this study was, to
evaluate in which areas within a barn MAP can be detected in
positive cattle farms and to compare different sampling sites.
Thereby, potential areas for MAP transmission, as well as the
most promising places for the detection of MAP in positive cat-
tle premises, should be identified.
Material and Methods: During the study, 14 Austrian dairy
and beef operations were tested for the presence of MAP twice
in a six months interval. In each farm at least one confirmed
clinical case of JD was detected within a year prior to the study
and the herd was therefore considered to be MAP positive.
On every farm, 7-10 paired environmental fecal samples
from specific sites were taken. Sampling locations depended
on the type of operation and included the calving area, alley-
ways, equipment, milking parlor and manure storage sites.
Fecal samples were tested for MAP both by bacteriological
culture on Herrold´s Egg Yolk Medium and real time PCR for
IS900 (Adiagene, Saint Brieuc, France), at the Austrian Na-
tional Reference Laboratory for paratuberculosis.
Results: All farms enrolled in the study had at least one
positive environmental fecal sample, confirming the classifica-
tion as MAP positive. Fecal samples collected from the slurry
pit, the alleyways in the feeding area as well as the manure
channels (tie stall barns) proved to be most likely MAP posi-
tive. Altogether, 42.3% of the samples from the slurry pit were
positive by culture and 51.9% by PCR, samples from the al-
leyways from the feeding area showed 44.4% and 30.0% pos-
itive results, and in the manure channel 87.5% of the collected
samples were MAP positive by culture an 50.0% by PCR, re-
spectively. The sensitivity of the samples could be increased
significantly by collecting two samples from each site and
reached 100% at the herd level, when several sample sites
were combined within a farm.
Conclusions: The results of the present study indicate,
that manure storage sites, as well as the highly frequented
alleyways in a barn seem to be the most promising sites for the
detection of MAP by environmental fecal samples. Based on
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Infectious Diseases
these results, the use of environmental fecal samples seems
to be a useful tool to assess the MAP herd level in cattle.
Keywords: Paratuberculosis, Johne´s disease, Mycobac-
terium avium subsp. paratuberculosis, environmental fecal
sampling.
ID-21
Examples of and lessons learned from regional control
programs for the abatement of Mycobacterium avium
subsp. paratuberculosis in cattle
Johannes Lorenz Khol1, Susanne Eisenberg2, Irene Noll3, Michael
Zschöck4, Tobias Eisenberg4, Karsten Donat5.
1
University Clinic for Ruminants, University of Veterinary Medicine
Vienna, Vienna, Austria; 2Animal Disease Fund Lower Saxony,
Hannover, Germany; 3District Government of Giessen, Giessen,
Germany; 4Hessian State Laboratory (LHL), Dept. of Veterinary
Medicine, Giessen, Germany; 5Thuringian Animal Disease Fund,
Institution by Law and 6Clinic for Obstetrics, Gynecology and
Andrology with Veterinary Ambulance, Justus-Liebig-University
Giessen, Jena, Germany.
Objectives: Paratuberculosis (Johne´s disease, JD) is
caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis
(MAP) and may lead to substantial economic losses in infect-
ed cattle herds. Detection and control of the infection is chal-
lenging, therefore examples of regional control programs are
presented and discussed.
Material, Methods and Results: In course of the program
for the reduction of the MAP prevalence in Lower Saxony, Ger-
many, dairy farms are obliged to test bulk milk samples for
MAP antibodies, followed by testing of individual animals in
seropositive farms. Subsequently, farmers can decide to join
the accompanying MAP control program. Within the first year
of the program 6,035 bulk tank samples were tested, 13%
were MAP-positive and 670 farms joined the MAP control pro-
gram.
Within the voluntary certification program in Hesse, Ger-
many, the MAP herd status is evaluated using boot swab
sampling (PCR and culture). In positive farms, animals are
tested by individual milk or blood ELISA-serology. Until now,
100 farms participated in the program, of which 60 were MAP
negative and 33 positive, respectively (no status assigned in 7
farms). The mean intra herd prevalence decreased from 7.56
% to 4.06% in participating farms.
The program for the abatement of MAP infections in cattle
herds in Thuringia, Germany, is based on a yearly fecal ex-
amination of adult cattle within a herd. In 2017, fecal samples
from 28,941 animals were tested of which 1.8% were MAP
positive. Of the 136 participating farms, currently 64 are MAP
negative and 72 positive, with 39 of the latter in the last step
of the program before achieving a MAP-unsuspected status.
The biennial survey of the MAP herd status by boot swabs
(PCR and culture) is the base of the MAP program in Tyrol,
Austria. Positive farms may join the MAP control program to
have their animals tested by individual fecal sampling. More
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ORAL — Infectious Diseases
than 4,000 boot swab samples were tested in each run with
0.97% positive farms in 2016/17. In these farms 2,151 indi-
vidual fecal samples were collected of which 2.3% were MAP
positive.
Conclusions: The programs presented indicate, that a
two-stage approach, with an evaluation of the MAP-herd lev-
el, followed by the testing of single animals, is generally well
accepted by the stakeholders. Besides financial support, com-
munication and cooperation of all participating parties seems
to be crucial for the success of such programs. Furthermore,
stigmatization has to be avoided and additional programs for
positive farms should be available.
Keywords: Paratuberculosis, Johne´s disease, Mycobac-
terium avium subsp. paratuberculosis, regional control pro-
gram.
ID-22
Wild cervids populations as Schmallenberg virus
circulation sensors
Calixte Bayrou1, Rosario Volpe1, Christophe Lesenfants1, Julien
Paternostre1, Damien Coupeau2, Benoît Muylkens2, Nassim Moula1,
Daniel Desmecht1, Annick Linden1.
1
University of Liège, Liège, Belgium; 2University of Namur, Namur,
Belgium.
Background: The Schmallenberg virus (SBV) emerged in
2011 in Europe. The epicenter of this spreading was the re-
gion which straddled Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium.
The dissemination of the virus is based on an arthropod/ru-
minant cycle. Midges belonging to the  Culicoides obsoletus
complex  have been identified as the main vector population
while the majority of tested ruminants supports the infection.
After the remarkably fast spreading of the virus across Europe,
questions raised about the virus implantation in the conquered
lands.
Objectives: The objective of the study was to follow the
circulation dynamic of SBV in Wallonia (Belgium) during six
years after the emergence (2012-2017). We designed a se-
roprevalence follow-up of the wild deer populations to answer
two main questions: (i) is SBV endemic in Wallonia and, if so,
which kind of endemic profile characterizes its implantation?
(ii) are wild deer a significant reservoir for the virus?
Material and Methods: The study is based on the annu-
al sampling protocol of the Surveillance Network of Wildlife
Diseases (SNWD) of the University of Liège (Belgium). The
SNWD takes advantage of the hunting activities in Wallonia
to collect, every year, during October, November and Decem-
ber, as many samples as possible to cover the largest num-
ber of communities. Blood is collected post-mortem. Sampled
deer are classified as adults or juveniles (born the year of
sampling) and belong to the two main deer species of Wal-
lonia: roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and red deer (Cervus
elaphus).  All samples were analyzed using the commercial
ELISA from IDvet:  ID Screen Schmallenberg virus Competi-
tion Multi-species®. To assess the relative sensitivity (Se) and
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226
specificity (Sp) of the ELISA in this context, sero-neutralisation
tests (SNT) were carried out on a subset of samples of years
2012, 2013 and 2014.
Results: The study led to the test of 2258 sera: 1140 from
roe deer and 1138 from red deer. The geographical distribution
of the samples is centered on the Belgian Ardenne. The sub-
set of samples used for the SNT numbered 622 sera. The rel-
ative Se of the ELISA in this context was 70% and the relative
Sp reached 93%. However, for the 2012 red deer cohort, an
unexplained phenomenon dropped the relative Se to 30%. In
consequence, the seroprevalence of this group was evaluated
by SNT and not included in the statistical analysis.
The profile of the seroprevalence evolution over the six
years is similar in the two species. Two years, 2012 and 2016,
were characterized by a significantly higher level of circu-
lation (roe deer: 2012  =  44±6% - 2016  =  47±7%; red deer:
2012  =  43±16% SNT-based evaluation – 2016  =  28±7%).
Beside these two years, the seroprevalence was low in both
species, especially in juveniles for which the seroprevalence
did not exceed 6±5%, showing a very limited circulation of the
SBV during 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2017. These low circulation
years led to a a seroprevalence decrease in the whole popu-
lation until a floor level close to 10% reached in both species
in 2014.
Conclusion: Our study provides evidences that the SBV
continues to circulate in Wallonia after 2011. Thus, Wallonia
appears as an endemic area characterized by a global hypo-
endemic state crossed by endemic pulsations. Such an en-
demic profile is classically explained by the Susceptible-Infec-
tious-Recovered-Susceptible (SIRS) epidemiological model.
The intense 2016 circulation was observed and reported
all across Europe. On the contrary, 2012 circulation is more
specific to our study and is due to the specific topography of
the Belgian Ardenne that locally slowed down the 2011 expan-
sion of the virus.
The fact that floor level seroprevalence was already
reached in 2014 for the two populations suggests that wild
deer are not the main reservoir of the virus and have limited
impact on the global circulation.
Keywords: Schmallenberg, Seroprevalence, Belgium,
Deer, Epidemiology.
ID-23
Herd Environmental Sampling for detection of
Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis in Irish
pasture-based dairy herds
Niamh Field1, Conor McAloon2, John Mee1.
Teagasc, Fermoy, Republic of Ireland; 2University College Dublin,
1
Belfield, Republic of Ireland.
Objective: The objective of this study was to determine
the herd sensitivity (HSe) and herd specificity (HSp) of Herd
Environmental Sampling (HES) for the detection of Myco-
bacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) in Irish

pasture-based dairy herds and to compare these metrics with
those of whole-herd serology and confirmatory faecal PCR.
Materials and methods: In a three-year study (2019-
2021), 122 commercial dairy herds were recruited from the
Irish Johne’s Control Programme (IJCP) https://animalhealth-
ireland.ie/programmes/johnes-disease/irish-johnes-control-
programme-ijcp/. Herds were visited once when cows were
housed for the winter. Blood samples were taken from all ani-
mals over two years old. For the HES, six composite environ-
mental samples were collected from areas of manure concen-
tration such as slurry storage, adult cow housing, the collecting
yard for the milking parlour and calving pens. Two herd-level
tests for MAP were conducted on these samples: whole-herd
serum ELISA (sELISA) with confirmatory faecal PCR (fPCR)
of seropositive animals (sELISA + fPCR), and herd environ-
mental fPCR. Blood samples were tested using IDEXX MAP
ELISA kit and HES samples were tested by PCR using the In-
dical Bactotype MAP PCR kit. Individual faecal samples were
tested with various different PCR kits. A herd was considered
positive on sELISA + fPCR if at least one animal was positive
on fPCR; and positive on HES if at least one composite envi-
ronmental sample was positive on fPCR. The HSe and HSp
of HES and sELISA + fPCR were estimated using a two-test,
two-population Bayesian latent class model in R.
Results: Complete test results for both test methods were
available for 97 herds. Fifteen and five herds were positive on
sELISA + fPCR and HES, respectively, with seventeen herds
identified as infected on either test; 80 herds were negative on
both tests. The median herd level sensitivity (HSe) and spec-
ificity (HSp) and 95% credibility intervals for each test were
as follows: sELISA + fPCR: HSe 0.57 (0.33-0.85), HSp 0.99
(0.98-1); HES: HSe 0.31 (0.16-0.5, HSp 0.99 (0.99-1).
Conclusions: In this study, the estimated HSe of HES was
lower than the current standard method of testing herds for
MAP in Ireland (whole herd serology with confirmatory fae-
cal PCR). Further research is required to determine if the test
methods used can be optimised to increase the sensitivity of
HES in pasture-based dairy herds.
Keywords: Paratuberculosis, diagnostic, sensitivity, envi-
ronmental, pasture-based.
ID-24
Comparison of different diagnostic strategies at the herd-
level for Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis
in cattle
Francisco Jurado-Martos1, Fernando Cardoso-Toset1, Belén Huerta2,
Carmen Tarradas2, Inmaculada Luque3.
1
1Dpto. de I+D+i, CICAP, 14400., Pozoblanco, Córdoba, Spain; 2Dpto.
Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Córdoba.,
Córdoba, Spain; 3Dpto. Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria,
Universidad de Córdoba., Pozoblanco, Córdoba, Spain.
Objectives: Paratuberculosis (PTB) is a disease that
causes significant production losses in cattle and its preva-
lence is expected to increase in the coming years due to the
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Infectious Diseases
intensification of livestock systems. Knowing the status of PTB
infection at the herd-level through accuracy and economical
strategies would improve the control of the disease. Therefore,
the objective of this work was to evaluate different diagnostic
test to detect Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratubercu-
losis (MAP) at the herd-level from a cost-effective point of view.
Material & methods: A total of 26 dairy farms in south-
ern Spain with an average of 107 milking cow were random-
ly selected for this study. The following samples were taken
from each herd: blood serum samples, obtained by sterile BD
Vacutainer ® from 20 randomly selected cows with at least
one calf (n=520 samples). Also, a sample from the bulk milk
tank (BMT, n=26) and accumulated feces (n=26) in the milking
area (holding pen) from each dairy farm were obtained.
Both serum and the BTM samples were tested by en-
zyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (IDEXX Labora-
tories, Westbrook, ME, USA), according to the manufacturer's
instructions. The manure and BMT samples were analyzed by
real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). DNA extraction
was performed following the instructions of the MagMAX™
Core nucleic acid purification kit, with a specific mechanical
lysis module for MAP detection (Thermo Fisher scientific, Aus-
tin, Texas) and, in an automated manner, with the KingFish-
er™ mL equipment (Thermo Fisher scientific, Austin, Texas).
The qPCR analysis was performed using the vetMAX™ MAP
IS900-F57 kit (Thermo Fisher scientific, Austin, Texas).
The ability of each diagnostic test to detect MAP at the herd
level was evaluated and compared with the other techniques.
The agreement between the diagnostic tests was evaluated by
Cohen's Kappa statistic (k) and interpreted as follows: k = 0.00
- 0.20, poor; k = 0.21 - 0.40, fair; k = 0.41 - 0.60, moderate; k
= 0.61 - 0.80, good; and k = 0.81 - 1.00, excellent agreement
(WinEpi software 2.0, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Zara-
goza, Spain).
Results: In reference to individual serum samples, a total
of 26 (5.0%) of the 520 serum samples showed MAP-specific
antibodies. A herd was considered positive when at least one
of the serum samples was seropositive, therefore, 14 herds
(53.8%) were considered MAP positive by serology, most of
them (64.3%) with only one animal seropositive. However,
when analyzing the BMT samples by ELISA, 5 positive and
6 doubtful samples were detected, which were considered
positive for herd classification, obtaining 11 seropositive herds
(45.8%). When qPCR was used, the presence of MAP was
detected in 11 (45.8%) fecal samples, but all BTM samples
were negative with this technique.
Except for qPCR in BTM samples, the agreement between
all other techniques was considered moderate (K=0.455-
0.541). A total of 17 herds (65.4%) presented unanimity in the
result of all the techniques studied (8 positive and 9 negative),
while in 9 herds (34.6%) discrepancies were observed, stand-
ing out 3 herds (11, 5%) that were only detected by serum
serology and 1 herd (3.8%) that was positive only to the BTM
Elisa, which could be associated with the lack of specificity of
the ELISA, described by other authors.
Conclusions: The diagnostic techniques analyzed for the
classification of PTB positive and negative herds show mod-
erate agreement. Therefore, we recommend the combination
of indirect techniques (ELISA of individual animals or in BMT
samples) and direct techniques (qPCR of manure) for the de-
227
ORAL — Infectious Diseases
tection of MAP at the herd-level as the most accurate strategy.
However, the analysis of a sample of manure from the holding
pen by qPCR turned out to be the most advantageous cost-ef-
fective strategy.
Keywords: Paratuberculosis, diagnosis, qPCR, ELISA.
ID-26
Mannheimia haemolytica serotypes detection by novel
qPCR. Spanish cattle epidemiological situation
José Luis Arnal Bernal1, María Dolores Cid Vázquez2, Celia Sanz
Tejero1, Alfredo Ángel Benito Zúñiga1, Oihane Alzuguren Ramos1,
Cristina Baselga Julián1, Ana Belén Fernández Ros1.
Exopol, San Mateo de Gallego (Zaragoza), Spain; Universidad
1 2
Complutense Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
Introduction: Mannheimia haemolytica is described as
a primary agent of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) which
remarkably impacts in cattle cost. Most of healthy animals
are natural carriers; nevertheless, this agent causes acute or
chronic disease under certain circumstances such as environ-
mental stress, shipping, weaning or infections by viruses or
Mycoplasma spp.
Twelve different serotypes of M. haemolytica (A1,A2, A5-
A9, A12-A14, A16 and A17) have been reported so far. Other
serotypes, which were formerly included, are currently classi-
fied as Mannheimia glucosida (A11) or Bibersteinia trehalosi
(T3,T4,T10 and T15). Previous publications reported serotype
A1 and in a less extent A6 as the most frequently found in
pneumonic lesions whereas serotype A2 is found mainly in the
nasopharynx of healthy animals.
Different methods have been described for serotyping M.
haemolytica until now, however, indirect hemagglutination test
(IHA) has been the most common used. The lack of commer-
cial antisera and cross reactions avoid the laboratories from
offering this kind of diagnostic.
Objectives: This work aimed to develop a novel multiplex
Real Time PCR (qPCR) which detects simultaneously main
serotypes described in cattle (A1, A2 and A6) not only on the
isolates but also directly on the clinical samples. Furthermore,
this project researched the frequency of detection of the dif-
ferent serotypes of the M. haemolytica isolates obtained from
diseased cattle in Spain.
Materials and methods: A novel multiplex qPCR target-
ing A1(FAM), A2(HEX) and A6(CY5) was developed and test-
ed for inclusivity and exclusivity. A complete collection of refer-
ence strains including 12 isolates belonging to the respective
12 serotypes of M. haemolytica and 5 isolates from the four
serotypes of B. trehalosi and M. glucosida (A11) were also
tested.
Then, 59 strains isolated from lungs and broncheoalveolar
lavages (BAL) of diseased animals belonging to different clin-
ical cases were analyzed by qPCR and IHA. These isolates
had been confirmed as M. haemolytica by Maldi Tof (Bruker)
and commercial qPCR (EXOone Mannheimia haemolytica,
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
228
Exopol). Cohen´s Kappa value was calculated (CI 95%) con-
sidering results from both techniques. Those strains with neg-
ative result for A1, A2 and A6 were considered as concordant
if IHA resulted with a different serotype different from the three
above mentioned.
Finally 26 clinical specimens sampled from diseased ani-
mals which resulted positive for M. haemolytica were directly
analyzed by qPCR. This collection included nasal swabs(n=8),
BAL(n=5) and lungs(n=14).
Results and discussion: Inclusivity and exclusivity test
resulted as expected and reference strains were correctly
identified. Isolates which were different from A1, A2 and A6
resulted negative but A17 which resulted positive for A2 qPCR
test. This misidentification might not affect the study because
A17 is not expected to be present in Spain.
Once analyzed the 59 isolates, 32 isolates (54.23%) result-
ed positive for A1, 12 isolates (20.33%) resulted positive for
A2, 6 isolates (10.17%) resulted positive for A6 and 9 isolates
(15.25%) resulted negative for A1, A2 and A6. Concordance
resulted very high (kappa=0.95; CI 0.95, 0.87-1.0; SD=0.03).
From those 9 isolates which resulted as non-typeable (nt) by
qPCR two resulted positive to A16 by IHA and the rest re-
mained as nt. These results agree those previously reported;
A1, A2 and A6 represented the 85% of the cases and A1 was
found as the most frequently detected in diseased animals.
Those clinical samples (n=26) which had resulted positive
to M. haemolytica by qPCR (Cq range 18.9-32.6) obtained
positive results for A1 (n=16, 61%), A2 (n=14; 53%) and A6
(n=5, 17.24%). In everysample but one was detected at least
one of the studied serotypes. Coinfection was not frequently
observed; just 3 samples resulted positive for two different se-
rotypes.
The detection rates of serotypes A1 and A6 over the iso-
lates were not significantly different from those when clinical
samples were directly analyzed. Nonetheless, important differ-
ences were found in case of A2 (p<0.05). Several nasal swabs
were directly analyzed by qPCR and could explain this fact.
Conclusions: This novel multiplex qPCR has proven to be
an accurate technique to detect the most important serotypes
of M. haemolytica in cattle. Moreover, this molecular tool over-
comes the limitation of microbiological growth and serological
proceedings. Epidemiological situation in Spain is not different
from those previously reported in other countries, neverthe-
less, serotype A2 should not be neglected as it is frequently
isolated from pneumonic lungs.
Keywords: Mannheimia, serotypes, qPCR, Spain.
ID-27
Topography of the respiratory tract bacterial microbiota in
cattle
Edouard Timsit1, Christopher McMullen1, Trevor Alexander2.
University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada; 2Agriculture and agrifood
1
Canada, Lethbridge, Canada.

Background/Objectives: Bacterial bronchopneumonia
(BP) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in cattle.
While the bacterial composition of the bovine upper respiratory
tract (URT) has not been studied in detail, the nasopharynx is
generally accepted as the primary source of pathogenic bac-
teria that cause BP. However, it has recently been shown in
humans that the oropharynx may act as the primary reservoir
for pathogens that reach the lung. The objective was therefore
to describe the bacterial microbiota present along the entire
cattle respiratory tract to determine which URT niches may
contribute the most to the composition of the lung microbiota.
Materials and Methods: Seventeen upper and lower re-
spiratory tract locations were sampled from 15 healthy feedlot
steer calves. Samples were collected using a combination of
swabs, protected specimen brushes, and saline washes. DNA
was extracted from each sample and the 16S rRNA gene (V3-
V4) was sequenced. Community composition, alpha-diversity,
and beta-diversity were compared among sampling locations.
Results: Microbiota composition differed across sampling
locations, with physiologically and anatomically distinct loca-
tions showing different relative abundances of 1,137 observed
sequence variants (SVs). An analysis of similarities showed
that the lung was more similar to the nasopharynx (R-statistic
= 0.091) than it was to the oropharynx (Rstatistic = 0.709) or
any other URT sampling location. Five distinct metacommuni-
ties were identified across all samples after clustering at the
genus level using Dirichlet multinomial mixtures. This included
a metacommunity found primarily in the lung and nasopharynx
that was dominated by Mycoplasma. Further clustering at the
SV level showed a shared metacommunity between the lung
and nasopharynx that was dominated by Mycoplasma dispar.
Other metacommunities found in the nostrils, tonsils, and oral
microbiotas were dominated by Moraxella, Fusobacterium,
and Streptococcus, respectively.
Conclusions: The nasopharyngeal bacterial microbiota is
most similar to the lung bacterial microbiota and therefore may
serve as the primary source of bacteria to the lung. This find-
ing confirms that the nasopharyngeal microbiota should be the
focus of research as it relates to the role of the URT microbiota
in BP. As well, this microbiota should be the  main target for
future interventions and pharmaceuticals aimed at controlling
and preventing BP.
Keywords: Microbiome, bovine respiratory disease, nat-
ural cattle, lung.
ID-28
Metaphylaxis with tildipirosin did not alter the effectiveness
of an experimental, monovalent vaccine of live, attenuated
Mannheimia haemolytica administered intranasally to
calves
Scott Nordstrom1, Michael Bolton1, Kevin Hill1, Tim Parks1, Jeff
Knittel1, Mani Vaidyanathan1, Kelly Lechtenburg2.
Merck Animal Health, Madison, NJ, United States;
1
Midwest
2
Veterinary Services, Inc., Oakland, NE, United States.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Infectious Diseases
Objective: To determine the effect of tildipirosin adminis-
tered subcutaneously (SC) on the efficacy of a live, attenuat-
ed, monovalent vaccine that contained Mannheimia haemolyt-
ica (M. haemolytica) administered intranasally (IN).
Materials and Methods: For this study, eighty-eight (88)
healthy, single-source, Holstein or Holstein cross, male calves
were approximately 14-weeks old at the time the study was
initiated. Calves were seronegative for antibody to M. haemo-
lytica leukotoxin; negative for persistent infection with Bovine
Virus Diarrhea Virus; and, were not previously vaccinated.
Calves had ad libitum access to fresh water and feed medicat-
ed with an ionophore. No other medications that could affect
the vaccine or the virulent challenge organism were added to
the water or the feed.
A completely randomized, 2 x 2 factorial, design was used;
the individual calf was the experimental unit; and, 22 calves
were enrolled per treatment group. Each calf was randomly
assigned to one of four treatment groups:
1) an experimental intranasal (IN), monovalent, live, atten-
uated vaccine (VAX) that contained a proprietary seed stock
of M. haemolytica;
2) VAX (IN) + tildipirosin (4 mg/kg; SC);
3) Placebo vaccine (PLBO) that contained the same me-
dium and filler as in the experimental vaccine but without the
bacterial antigen (IN);
4) PLBO (IN) + tildipirosin (4 mg/kg; SC).
After treatment was applied (Day 0), calves were housed
in pens containing only individuals from a treatment group.
The vaccine (VAX) was prepared using the same seed culture
and titer of M. haemolytica, as commercially available in Merck
Animal Health’s licensed vaccines (Madison, NJ, USA).
Two calves in treatment group 2 and two calves in treat-
ment group 4 died due to respiratory disease, unrelated to the
experimental procedures, prior to the day of challenge (Day
70). The solution used for challenge was prepared with viru-
lent M. haemolytica in Tryptic Soy Broth (TSB) (30 to 50 mL
to deliver similar bacterial challenge); and, was administered
intratracheally. After challenge on Day 70, calves remained
in the same pen to the end of the study and were observed
daily at approximately the same time each day. Clinical signs
(respiratory scores, attitude scores, rectal temperature) of all
calves were recorded. On Day 77, (7 days post-challenge) the
calves were euthanized and lesions in the lungs were scored
independently by two individuals. The average of those two
scores was used for analyses. Samples (10 to 20 gm) of lung
were submitted (within 48 hours of collection) for isolation of
M. haemolytica. Personnel recording clinical scores, scoring
lung lesions, or performing bacterial isolation procedures were
blinded to the treatment group to which the animal was as-
signed.
The primary outcome variable was the Lung Lesion Score
(LLS). Secondary outcome variables were clinical signs of
respiratory disease (respiratory score, attitude score, rectal
temperatures), and isolation of bacteria from samples of lung.
Results: There was no significant (P = 0.51) effect of til-
dipirosin on LLS whether calves were vaccinated with VAX or
PLBO; however, VAX resulted in significantly (P = 0.046) lower
LLS (VAX median = 1.48%) than did PLBO (median = 3.25%).
Calves in all groups developed clinical signs; and, there was
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ORAL — Infectious Diseases
no significant (P > 0.05) effect of any experimental treatment,
on clinical signs. The percent of calves from which samples of
lung yielded M. haemolytica was not significantly affected by
VAX or PLBO.
Conclusions: Under the conditions of this study, VAX (IN)
administered concurrently with tildipirosin (SC) was proven ef-
ficacious after an M. haemolytica challenge.
Keywords: Tildipirosin, intranasal vaccination, Mann-
heimia haemolytica, efficacy.
ID-29
Evaluation of risk factors of umbilical infection in newborn
beef calves
Florent Perrot, Nicolas Herman.
National Veterinary School Toulouse, Toulouse, France.
Objectives: To describe and assess the potential risk fac-
tors associated with umbilical infection in beef farms located in
the center of France, focusing on the passive immune transfer
(PIT).
Materials and methods: Newborn calves from 22 French
beef farms were followed up during a calving season (between
November 2020 to March 2021). Each farm was visited twice
a week. During the first visit (calves between 1 and 5 days of
age), information on zootechnical practices and calving con-
ditions was collected. During the first and the second visits
(7 days after the first visit), housing conditions (cleanliness
and humidity) and omphalitis were scored. Omphalitis scoring
comprised thickening of umbilical stump (0 if < 2 cm and 1 if >
2 cm), presence or absence of purulent discharge (score 0 or
1), local pain (0 if no withdrawal when slight pressure applied,
1 if any) or ultrasound of internal structure. Each calf was also
sampled during the first visit to assess the quality of passive
immune transfer through serum total protein and Brix value
optical refractometry.
Results: Nine hundred sixty-four calves were included in
the study. The prevalence of omphalitis was 34% (326/964),
first and second visits coupled. Univariable and multivariable
statistical analysis revealed that (P<0.05): (i) male calves are
more at risk of developing omphalitis than females (OR=2.6);
(ii) the prevalence of umbilical infection is higher for calves
weighing more than 50 kg and for calves with an umbilical cord
length strictly less than 3 cm; (iii) a dirty calving pen increases
the risk of omphalitis (OR=1.8); (iv) calves born from primipa-
rous dams are more likely to develop an omphalitis than mul-
tiparous (OR=1.4). Furthermore, no statistical association was
found between failure of passive immunity transfer (medium or
bad) and omphalitis development (χ² Pearson > 0.05).
Conclusions: This study is the first to report the preva-
lence of omphalitis in beef cattle with a prevalence of 34%
(326/ 964). Development of omphalitis was not associated
with a failure of passive immunity transfer in this study. Risk
factors related to calves were: sex, weight and umbilical cord
length. Moreover, calving hygienic conditions are of prime im-
portance to prevent omphalitis in the field.
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230
Keywords: Beef calves, omphalitis, risk factors, passive
immune transfer.
ID-30
Identification of BRD antibodies to install a tailor-made
BRD Prevention Plan on Dutch dairy farms
Henk Kuijk, Hanny Swam, Pleun Penterman, Geert Vertenten.
MSD Animal Health, Boxmeer, Netherlands.
Objectives: Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) is a mul-
tifactorial disease of young cattle. The factors that predispose
to BRD include stress related to stocking, moving or mixing
cattle, poor ventilation or draughts, sudden climatic changes
or extreme heat or cold, mixing various age groups, nutrition-
al deficiencies, colostrum deficiency, and poor feed hygiene.
These stresses lead to infection by primary viral pathogens
which cause lung damage and may pave the way for various
bacterial pathogens as Mannheimia haemolytica (Mh) and My-
coplasma bovis.
Vaccination is an important tool in managing BRD. Iden-
tification of major respiratory pathogens on a BRD problem
farm may be essential to establish an appropriate vaccination
program.
In 2019 MSD Animal Health started a BRD Prevention
Plan including a serological screening, the BRD QuickScan,
to identify which BRD pathogens are circulating on a farm.
The BRD Prevention Plan is a decision tree guiding veterinary
practitioners to manage BRD. Depending on the results of the
BRD QuickScan, a tailor-made advice including BRD vaccina-
tion and improvement of BRD management factors is given.
This manuscript gives an overview of the BRD QuickScan
results in 2020 and 2021 on Dutch BRD problem farms not
vaccinating against BRD.
Materials & Methods: To run the BRD QuickScan, serum
samples were taken from 5 calves (3-6 months old) on a BRD
problem farm or BRD suspected farm. Those samples were
analysed in the Centre for Diagnostic Solutions (MSD Animal
Health, Netherlands) for antibodies against Mh, Bovine Re-
spiratory Syncytial Virus (BRSV), Parainfluenza 3 (PI-3) and
Mycoplasma bovis by ELISA. An in-house test was used to
measure Mh and BRSV antibodies, whereas for PI3 and My-
coplasma bovis a commercial kit was used from respectively
IDEXX and Bio-X. The results of samples collected between
October 2019 to December, 2021 are presented.
Results: During the defined timeframe, 325 BRD Quick-
Scans were performed. In 1% of the BRD QuickScans, no
antibodies against the selected BRD pathogens were identi-
fied. In those farms, a tailor-made approach was provided to
improve the BRD status (www.rescalf.nl).
Eighty-three percent of the QuickScans were positive for
antibodies against Mh, 5% of the QuickScans had only Mh an-
tibodies, where in 78% of the QuickScans antibodies against
Mh and viral BRD pathogens (BRSV and/or PI3) were present.
On farms positive for Mh, vaccination with a vaccine providing

protection against Mh (Bovilis® Bovipast® RSP) was advised.
Additionally, if on such farms BRD was already present in very
young animals, supplementary vaccination of the pregnant
dams was advised to improve the maternal antibody protec-
tion in those calves.
Eighty-nine percent of the QuickScans were positive for
BRSV and/or PI3. Nine percent of the QuickScans were only
positive for PI3 antibodies and none were only positive for
BRSV antibodies. These findings confirm the importance of
the viral pathogens in the BRD complex, mainly combined
with Mh. On farms where high antibody titers against viral
pathogens were detected, and BRD problems already were
apparent in very young calves, an intranasal vaccination of the
calves at the age of 1 week using a live BRD vaccine (Bovilis
INtranasal RSP live) was recommended.). This could be fol-
lowed by vaccination with a trivalent inactivated vaccine (Bovi-
lis® Bovipast RSP) at a later age.
Twenty-two percent of the BRD QuickScans were positive
for Mycoplasma bovis. On Mycoplasma bovis farms, a specific
approach was recommended as no commercial vaccines are
available. It was advised to create small groups of animals,
avoid mixing of calves from several groups, and to vaccinate
against other major BRD pathogens.
After the implementation of the BRD prevention plan in-
cluding the BRD QuickScan, over 80% of the farms started
vaccinating with an inactivated BRD vaccine (Bovilis® Bo-
vipast® RSP), 9% started with a live intranasal BRD vaccine
(Bovilis® INtranasal RSP® Live) and on 3% of the farms com-
plementary examinations were performed. About 10% of the
farms started the additional pregnant dam vaccination with
Bovilis® Bovipast® RSP.
Conclusion: For most pathogens circulating on BRD
farms vaccines are commercially available. Implementing a
tailor-made BRD management program including vaccination
is important to reduce BRD related losses. Practical tools as
the BRD Prevention Plan and BRD QuickScan may be use-
ful to reduce BRD. Based on serological findings farmers can
easily be convinced (in dialogue with their veterinarians) to
vaccinate against BRD.
Keywords: Bovine Respiratory Disease, QuickScan, se-
rology, dairy, Netherlands.
ID-31
Elucidation of the efficacy of fecal microbiome
transplantation (FMT) in healing calves with intractable
diarrhea
Jahidul Islam1, Masae Tanimizu2, Yu Shimizu2, Yoshiaki Goto2,
Natsuki Ohtani2, Kentaro Sugiyama2, Eriko Tatezaki2, Masumi Sato2,
Eiji Makino2, Toru Shimada2, Chise Ueda2, Ayumi Matsuo1, Yoshihisa
Suyama1, Yoshifumi Sakai1, Mutsumi Furukawa1, Katsuki Usami1,
Hiroshi Yoneyama1, Hisashi Aso1, Hidekazu Tanaka2, Tomonori
Nochi1.
Tohoku University, Miyagi, Japan; 2Chiba Prefectural Federated
1
Agricultural Mutual Aid Association, Chiba, Japan.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Infectious Diseases
Objectives: Fecal microbiome transplantation (FMT) has
shown promising results that indicate the effective treatment
of diarrhea in calves although the mechanisms by which FMT
works has not yet been elucidated. Therefore, the aim of this
study is to elucidate the efficacy of FMT in intractable diarrhea
treatment and searching the potential bacterial taxa and me-
tabolites responsible for FMT success.
Materials & Methods: Total 20 FMT trials, in which feces
obtained from healthy donors were intrarectally transferred
into recipient calves with diarrhea, were performed. Fecal
samples were collected from donors on the day of FMT and
from recipients before and on days 1 and 7 after the FMT. The
samples were analyzed by high-throughput 16S rRNA gene
sequencing, metabolomics via capillary electrophoresis time-
of-flight mass spectrometry, and ELISA, respectively.
Results: Among the 20 FMT treatment, total 14 (70%)
treatment were succeeded based on the clinical findings, di-
arrheal, metagenomics and metabolomics results. Consider-
ing the beta diversity, unweighted unifrac distance was found
significantly different before FMT (D-success vs R0-success),
but not in after FMT at day 7 (D-success vs R7-success) in
successful FMT group. In unsuccessful FMT treatment, there
was no significant difference observed between donor and re-
cipient in before and after FMT. Thus, in unsuccessful FMT
treatment group, calf exhibit impaired engraftment of the FMT
bacterial community and failed to restore the commensal
bacteria as well as metabolites, due to lack of optimal donor.
On the other hand, genus Selenomonas confirmed donor–re-
cipient compatibility in successful FMT treatments. A strong
positive correlation between the microbiome and metabolome
data, which is a prerequisite factor for FMT success, was con-
firmed by Procrustes analysis in successful FMT (r = 0.7439,
P = 0.0001). A reduction in fecal amino acid concentration was
observed in succeed treatment, which is strongly correlate
with the remission of diarrhea. Additionally, weighted gene cor-
relation network analysis confirmed the positively or negatively
correlated pairs of bacterial taxa (family Veillonellaceae) and
metabolomics features (i.e., amino acids and short-chain fatty
acids) responsible for FMT success.
Conclusions: The findings obtained from the present
study suggest that the FMT may directly or indirectly promote
the cohabitation of certain bacterial taxa, which facilitate to re-
cover recipient calves from intractable diarrhea in successful
FMT treatment group.
Keywords: Diarrhea, microbiome, transplantation, metag-
enomics, metabolomics.
ID-32
Prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of BRD
pathogens isolated from cattle with respiratory disease
during over 10-years of supported testing program in
Germany
Kirsten Stemme, Egon Thesing, Martina Resch.
MSD Animal Health, Unterschleißheim, Germany.
231
ORAL — Infectious Diseases
Objectives: Trans-tracheal aspiration (TTA) is a technique
used for in vivo identification of mainly bacterial pathogens
from cattle with bovine respiratory disease (BRD). MSD An-
imal Health in Germany has been supporting bacteriological
analysis of samples from TTA for veterinarians and farmers
since 2009.
The objective of this study was to investigate the dynam-
ics in the prevalence of BRD associated bacteria (Mannheimia
haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, Histophilus somni, True-
perella pyogenes) in the lower respiratory tract of calves with
respiratory disease and their antimicrobial susceptibility over
the past 13 years.
Materials & Methods: During the period of 2009 to 2021
samples were collected through TTA from calves with respira-
tory disease after a specific request by veterinarians to iden-
tify BRD related pathogens. The samples were collected from
calves located on farms in all regions of Germany, dairy farms
as well as fattening units. None of the sampled animals re-
ceived an antimicrobial treatment prior to sampling. If possible,
samples from 3 calves were pooled (e.g. animals housed in
the same pen).
Isolation and identification of BRD-associated bacteria
from the TTA samples were performed using bacterial cul-
ture, MaldiTof and subsequent determination of antimicrobial
susceptibility by microdilution (samples collected since 2013
only). Isolates were evaluated using Clinical and Laboratory
Standard Institute (CLSI)-approved methods. For T. pyogenes
no antimicrobial testing was done as antimicrobial therapy
is not considered viable and therefore no CLSI methods are
available.
Results: During the period of supported testing, 1726
calves were sampled on 361 farms. As some samples were
pooled, a total of 611 samples were submitted to laboratory
testing. BRD-associated bacteria were isolated from 66.3 % of
all samples with a yearly range between from 55.2 – 78,8 %.
P. multocida was the most prevalent bacterium (61.1 %;
33.3 – 73.9%) followed by M. haemolytica (16.6 %; 5.3- 33.3%).
The isolation prevalence for H. somni was 7.3 % (0 – 15.6 %)
and 15.0 % (6.9 – 26.3 %) for T. pyogenes. While there was no
obvious trend, the prevalence of the four pathogens showed
large variation from year to year.
None or only a few isolates of P. multocida, M. haemolyti-
ca, and H. somni were resistant to amoxycillin, ampicillin, cef-
tiofur, florfenicol, gentamycin, and trimethoprim sulfonamide.
The percentage of M. haemolytica isolates that were suscepti-
ble to penicillin was 75 %, to enrofloxacin 97 %, to tetracycline
85 % and to tilmicosin 60 %, with only small variation during
the years. Ninety five percent of P. multocida isolates were
found to be susceptible to penicillin, 92% to enrofloxacin, 73%
to tetracycline and 66% to tilmicosin. No isolate of H. somni
was resistant to penicillin and enrofloxacin, while 96% of iso-
lates were susceptible to tetracycline and 75% to tilmicosin.
Conclusion: P. multocida was the most prevalent bacte-
rium isolated from the lower respiratory tract of calves with
respiratory disease during the period of 2009 till 2021 in Ger-
many. However, prevalence up to 30 % were found for M. hae-
molytica in certain years.
The results of antimicrobial susceptibility testing showed
that M. haemolytica, P. multocida, and H. somni exhibited in
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
232
vitro resistance to some important antimicrobial products that
are frequently used to treat respiratory disease. On the other
hand, it was also clear that several other antimicrobial treat-
ments are available to which the isolated bacteria showed high
susceptibility.
Keywords: Respiratory disease, trans-tracheal aspiration,
BRD associated bacteria, prevalence, antimicrobial suscepti-
bility.
ID-33
Mycoplasma bovis antibody testing in purchase protocol to
reduce circulation between farms
Linde Gille1, Callens Jozefien2, Léonard Marie3, Lipkens Zyncke2,
Ribbens Stefaan2, Evrard Julien3.
1
University of Liège, Liège, Belgium; 2Diergezondheidszorg Vlaanderen
(DGZ), Torhout, Belgium; 3Association Régionale de Santé et
d'Identification Animales (ARSIA), Ciney, Belgium.
Background & Objectives: Mycoplasma bovis’ impor-
tance as a causal pathogen of pneumonia, arthritis, mastitis,
and other diseases has been well established in the last de-
cades. In Belgium, a steady increase in M. bovis’ presence
has been noticed in bovine herds: in 2009, only 1.5% of dairy
farms tested positive on culture of bulk tank milk (BTM) (1),
while in 2011, already 11% of calves sold to the veal sector
(corresponding with about 11% of herds) had antibodies at ar-
rival (2), and in 2016, 32% of all dairy farms had either PCR or
antibody positive BTM samples (3). This increase is worrying,
given the enormous economic impact a M. bovis’ introduction
and circulation can have on a farm. The main cause of the
increase is probably the purchase of carriers, given the enor-
mous amount of cattle trade in Belgium: between 2005-2009,
40% of the cattle born in Belgian farms changed farms at least
once (4).
As detecting carriers is not evident, given the intermittent
excretion and existence of asymptomatic carriers, it is current-
ly recommended to not purchase antibody positive animals to
avoid M. bovis introduction in negative herds. To determine
the risk of purchase of M. bovis antibody positive animals in
Belgian herds, this study aimed to determine the number of
animals testing antibody-positive at purchase.
Materials & methods: Throughout 2021, M. bovis anti-
bodies were determined on every purchase protocol requested
at 2 reference laboratories (ARSIA & DGZ), using a M. bovis
antibody ELISA (BIO K432, Bio-X Diagnostics S.A., Belgium).
Results: In total, blood samples of 76285 animals were
analyzed, of which 14.96 % (n= 11416) tested positive on M.
bovis antibodies. One thousand two hundred twenty-seven
animals were retested approx. 30 days after the first sample.
Of these, 87,8 % kept the same result, 5,9 % seroconverted
and 6,3 % seroreverted.
Conclusions: There is a non-negligible risk in introducing
possible M. bovis carriers in seronegative herds trough pur-
chase. There was 6,3 % seroreversion after 30 days, which
could be due to antibodies truly dropping underneath the test

limit, given the poor persistence time of M. bovis antibodies
(5), or could indicate the presence of false positives even with
a test specificity of 97 %. For the seroconversion rate, the
argument is different: probably, the 5.9 % conversion is only
partially due to true seroconversion, but also due to the poorer
sensitivity of the test used (Se 80.95%).
Given the possible presence of false negatives and the
poor persistence of antibodies, it is quite possible that a part
of the animals from M. bovis positive farms were missed in
the first analysis. As such, it is advisable for M. bovis negative
herds to test purchased animals twice, both at the beginning
and the end of the 30-day quarantine, before releasing them
in the herd. If either test is positive, the animal should be con-
sidered at-risk. Another option would be to test- or interpret
testing on herd-level instead of animal level.
In conclusion, further research to identify M. bovis carri-
ers, or development of farm-level testing procedures is sorely
needed to stop the introduction of M. bovis into seronegative
farms.
References:
1: Passchyn, P., S. Piepers, L. De Meulemeester, F. Boy-
en, F. Haesebrouck, and S. De Vliegher. 2012. Between-herd
prevalence of Mycoplasma bovis in bulk milk in Flanders, Bel-
gium. Research in Veterinary Science 92:219-220.
2: Pardon, B. 2012. Morbidity, mortality and drug use in
white veal calves with emphasis on respiratory disease. PhD
Thesis.
3: Gille, L., J. Callens, K. Supré, F. Boyen, F. Haesebrouck,
L. Van Driessche, K. van Leenen, P. Deprez and B. Pardon.
2018. Use of a breeding bull and absence of a calving pen
as risk factors for the presence of Mycoplasma bovis in dairy
herds. Journal of Dairy Science, 101(9), 8284–8290.
4: Ensoy C., Faes, C., Welby, S., Van der Stede, Y. and
Aerts, M. 2014. Exploring Cattle Movements in Belgium. Pre-
ventive Veterinary Medicine. 116(1-2), 89-101.
5: Petersen, M., Pedersen, J., Holm, D., Denwood, M. &
Nielsen, L. (2018). A longitudinal observational study of the dy-
namics of Mycoplasma bovis antibodies in naturally exposed
and diseased dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 101(8),
7383-7396.
Keywords: Mycoplasma bovis, purchase, biosecurity, ELI-
SA, surveillance.
ID-34
Validation and use of a new diagnostic protocol for Johne’s
disease control in New Zealand dairy herds
Andrew Bates1, Rory O'Brien2, Frank Griffin3, Richard Laven4, Simon
Liggett2.
1
Vetlife Scientific Ltd, Temuka, New Zealand; 2Disease Research
Ltd, Dunedin, New Zealand; 3Department of Microbiology and
Immunology, University of Otago, New Zealand; 4School of Veterinary
Sciences, Massey University, New Zealand.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Infectious Diseases
Objectives: This study reports the diagnostic accura-
cy and use of an initial screening test of four serum ELISAs
followed by a confirmatory test of one quantitative fecal PCR
(fPCR) for the diagnosis of paratuberculosis in mixed aged
milking cows in New Zealand.
Materials and methods: Data from a cross-sectional
study of 20 moderate prevalence herds was combined with
existing data from low and high prevalence herds to form a
combined dataset of 3,845 paired serum and fecal samples.
Records of incidence of clinical cases of Johne’s disease (JD)
were used to classify herds into three prevalence categories.
High prevalence herds (> 3% clinical JD per year for the last
three years), moderate prevalence herds (< 1%) and low prev-
alence herds (zero incidence of clinical JD for at least the last
five years). Positive ELISA data were declared if > 50 ELISA
units and fPCR data at two cut-points (≥1x104 genomes/mL or
>1x103 genomes/mL).
Fixed and mixed Bayesian latent class models were con-
structed at both fPCR cut-points, accounting for conditional
independence, paired conditional dependence and all possi-
ble dependencies between tests using OpenBUGS. The aim
was to identify Mycobacterium paratuberculosis avium (MAP)
infected cows that met at least one of two criteria: shedding
sufficient MAP in faeces to be detected by fPCR or mounting
a detectable MAP antibody response.
The effect of using this new testing method as part of
Johne’s control programme in a large milking herd over a four-
year period is also reported. A sub-set of this data was also
used to look at the effect of infection status on milk production
in sub-clinically infected cows (reported at Buiatrics Dublin,
2016).
Results: Model validation: The best fit to the data was
obtained by modelling either pairwise dependencies between
tests in a fixed model or including all dependencies in a mixed
model at a faecal cut-off of ≥1x104 genomes/mL. Test perfor-
mance differed with prevalence: for the random model, at a
prevalence of 0.38 (95% predictive interval,(PI)=0.30-0.44),
sensitivity was 0.54 (95%PI=0.47-0.62) and specificity 0.98
(95%PI=0.96-1.00). At a low prevalence (0.01 (95%PI=0.00-
0.03), test sensitivity was 0.60 (95%PI=0.42-0.72) and speci-
ficity 1.00 (95%PI=1.00-1.00).
Models were robust to prior assumptions and this testing
protocol had a positive predictive value of 0.96 (95%PI=0.87-
1.00) in high prevalence herds and 1.00 (95%PI=0.99-1.00) in
low prevalence herds. Correspondingly, the negative predic-
tive value in high prevalence herds was 0.78 (95%PI=0.71-
0.84) and 0.98 (95%PI=0.84-1.00) in low prevalence herd.
Reduction in prevalence of Johne’s disease: We also
report the successful reduction of infectious and infected an-
imals in an endemically infected herd, where over a 4-year
period, an annual test and cull policy using this approach re-
duced seroprevalence of positive cows from 26% to 2% and
the proportion of clinical JD culls from 5% to 0.4%. Over this
period, the seroprevalence in primiparous cows fell from 15%
to 2.5%.
Effect of infection status on milk production: Previous-
ly, this testing method has been used to identify under-per-
forming MAP infected animals with clinically normal, ELI-
SA-positive animals producing 4% fewer kg milk solids (kgMS)
per lactation and faecal positive cows producing up to 12%
233
ORAL — Infectious Diseases
fewer kgMS (World Buiatrics, Dublin 2016).
Conclusions: The results presented suggest that this is
a useful tool in the control of JD on dairy farms, particularly
in herds with higher levels of infection, where the sampling
and testing cost per animal is defrayed across more detected
animals.
Keywords: Johne's disease, Mycobacterium paratubercu-
losis avium, sensitivity, specificity, control.
ID-35
Tuberculosis diagnosis in bovine herd and associated cross
reaction in the tuberculin skin test (PPD): a case report
Mónica Espada1, Luis P. Figueras1, Sofia Aventín1, Aurora Ortín2,
Cristina Acín2, Carmelo Ortega2.
1
(1) Gabinete Técnico Veterinario,S.L., Zaragoza, Spain; 2(2) Animal
Pathology Department. Veterinary faculty. University of Zaragoza
(Spain), Zaragoza, Spain.
Abbreviations:
PPD - Purified protein derivative ((PPD) skin test (for tu-
berculosis))
T3 - Officially holdings free of tuberculosis (RD 1716/2000)
PCR - Polymerase Chain Reaction
Introduction: Bovine tuberculosis is a mandatory dis-
ease under Eradication according to the Spanish Tuberculosis
Eradication Program. This program is based on the detection
of positive animals using both, simple and comparative Tu-
berculin Skin tests (PPD also called Mantoux test in human
medicine) and the elimination of the reactive animals.
The characteristics of the test (sensitivity, specificity and
the predictive values) as well as the characteristics of the mi-
croorganism (different etiology complexes, species and sub-
species) can produce, in some cases, cross reactions or inter-
actions with other microorganisms that cause false positivity
results in the tuberculosis program.
One of those cases is presented in this communication at
the same time that it reflects, based on the origin of the prob-
lem, the importance of biosecurity as a basis for prevention.
Methodology and results (the case): The case took
place in a cattle herd (Blond d´Aquitaine), which began its ac-
tivity with 20 heifers aged between 11 and 16 months in 2016.
Animals were introduced in the farm with a semi-intensive
production system that included a covered ship and a park
limited by a perimeter fencing. The farm was not in contact
with other livestock, but in the area there were wild boars that
are under control in the Wild Tuberculosis Surveillance Pro-
gram (PATUBES) on which all the results were negative (0%
prevalence).
The origin of the animals was a T3 farm (Tuberculosis free
qualification level in the Spanish Tuberculosis Eradication Pro-
gram). Previously to the movement of the animals, all of them
were tested by a simple PPD tests which resulted negative in
all of them.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
234
In the reproductive control period, one of the animals was
diagnosed with a congenital disorder that excluded it for the fu-
ture. Therefore, the owner and the provider agreed to change
it by one another heifer that arrived pregnant and brought a
negative result to the simple PPD test, which carried to the
farmer to introduce it directly into the flock.
After delivery, the new animal was affected by a enteritis
process that was diagnosed as Bovine Paratuberculosis by
staining Ziehl-Neelsen in feces samples and serology (Elisa
test). After, the animal was isolated and slaughtered in the
farm. PPD test was carried out in all the animals according to
the Spanish Tuberculosis Eradication Program, on which 10 of
the 20 animals resulted positive (differential values between
the first and the second measures of 2.5-6 mm).
Results were contrasted by Compared PPD test which
resulted in five positive animals that were sacrificed. These
animals were sent to the slaughterhouse where samples
were taken and sent to the Reference Center for Veterinary
Health Surveillance (Visavet). The microbiological study of the
samples of three animals showed a positive growth in specif-
ic Mycobacterium medium that resulted negative by PCR to
both: Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium avium
subspecies suis. It was concluded that positive reaction to the
PPD test was not due to bovine tuberculosis.
At the same time, four animals of the farm were seropos-
itive to Paratuberculosis (Elisa test) and one of them evolved
in a clinical way and was sacrificed. After, a Paratuberculosis
control strategy was applied in the farm at the same time that
PPD tests continued with negative results in all animals.
Conclusions: The final conclusion is that there was a
false positive reaction to the simple and compared PPD test
that was not confirmed either by clinical or microbiology, which
suggests any type of interference with some another Myco-
bacterium spp as it has been referred in another cases. While
it is not possible to confirm it, we suspected that the interfer-
ence in the test was caused by Mycobacterium avium sub-
species Paratuberculosis since the outbreak occurred in the
exploitation in that particular period.
Keywords: Tuberculosis bovine, Tuberculin skin test,
Paratuberculosis.
ID-36
A sudden outbreak of paratuberculosis in a previously test-
negative dairy herd; a case report
David Speksnijder, Betsie Krattley-Roodenburg.
University Farm Animal Clinic, Harmelen, Netherlands.
Objectives: Paratuberculosis (Johne’s disease) in dairy
cattle, caused by Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratu-
berculosis (MAP) is subject of an active control policy by the
Dutch dairy industry, aiming to reduce the concentration of
MAP in bulk milk delivered to the milk factories. In this ab-
stract, we describe an outbreak of MAP infections in a previ-
ously test-negative dairy herd to show the complex epidemi-
ology of paratuberculosis in dairy farming and the necessity

to take continuous precautionary measures, even on MAP
test-negative farms.
Material and Methods: The high prevalence of paratuber-
culosis was detected in a dairy herd of ~180 adult cattle and
~150 young stock. Cows were housed in a freestall with cubi-
cles and grazed during the summer months. Young stock were
housed in a separate barn until ~18 months of age. The herd
was not closed: in 2017 a total of 79 homebred young stock
were temporarily raised on pastures of two other farms and
between 2013 and 2018, another 53 animals were purchased
from five different herds. Young calves were fed colostrum fol-
lowed by milk replacer, grass silage harvested on the farm and
concentrate.
Between 2008 and 2018, milk samples of all lactating cat-
tle were tested biannually with the IDEXX Paratuberculosis
Screening Ab Test (ELISA), using an elevated cut-off S/P ratio
of 1.0 in order to increase the diagnostic specificity of the test.
Until 2016, negative results were obtained only. However, in
July 2018, three out of 132 tested lactating cows had a positive
ELISA result. MAP infection was confirmed by positive faecal
qPCR in two of these three cows, aged 6 and 7 years and
homebred (index cases). As a follow up, cattle ≥ 12 months of
age were tested by individual faecal qPCR in April / May 2019.
Results: In April/May 2019, 253 animals were individually
tested by qPCR on rectally derived faecal samples. Twenty
animals tested positive. All of these animals were born on the
farm between January 2010 and July 2017, except one cow
that was introduced from another herd at the age of 4 years.
Neither the category of animal (homebred, temporarily raised
in another herd, or introduced from another herd) nor age cat-
egory (1, 2, 3 or ≥4 years of age) were significantly associ-
ated with the PCR result. However, a cluster of qPCR-pos-
itive homebred heifers born in 2017 became apparent: 7 of
12 tested heifers born in April and May 2017 in the case herd
were qPCR-positive. These heifers had not been temporarily
raised elsewhere. The dam of the oldest of these 12 heifers
tested qPCR positive as well; 4 other dams which were still
present on the farm tested qPCR negative. Also a heifer born
in July 2017 tested positive whilst its mother tested negative
on qPCR.
After informing about the management conditions around
the time of birth of these 7 heifers the farmer indicated that the
calving pen hygiene had been suboptimal and pooled colos-
trum and bulk milk had sometimes been fed to calves.
Conclusion: In this case herd, a cluster of MAP shedding
cattle could be related to birth cohort. Potential transmission
routes were a contaminated calving pen, transmission through
feeding of colostrum and bulk milk from multiple cows to
calves and calf-to-calf transmission. Our observations stress
the importance of structurally taking preventive management
measures to reduce the spread of MAP in test-negative herds
as well.
The aim of the Dutch milk quality assurance program is
to reduce the concentration of MAP in bulk milk and to pro-
vide assurance regarding milk quality in certified test-negative
herds. For this purpose, herds do not necessarily need to be
free of MAP infection. However, if farmers aim to eliminate
MAP infection from their herds by test-and-cull, it is important
to consider that faecal qPCR has a considerably higher diag-
nostic sensitivity to detect MAP shedding animals compared to
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Infectious Diseases
the ELISA test and that a considerable proportion of infected
cattle start shedding MAP before adulthood - as illustrated by
the observations in this case herd.
Keywords: Paratuberculosis, Johne's disease, dairy.
ID-37
Detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in bovine
abortions in Flanders
Hans Van Loo1, Geert Opsomer1, Jef Hooyberghs2, Koen De
Bleecker3, Bart Pardon1.
1
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium;
2
Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain, Brussels, Belgium;
3
Animal Health Service Flanders, Torhout, Belgium.
Objectives: To monitor brucellosis in Belgium, farmers
are obliged by the Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food
Chain (FASFC) to submit each bovine abortion for analysis.
Besides brucellosis monitoring, the abortion program concur-
rently screens the submitted samples for multiple infectious
pathogens. Despite the extensive number of analyses includ-
ed in this abortion program, about 60% of cases remain undi-
agnosed. One of the explanations could be the presence of
unidentified abortifacients like Anaplasma phagocytophilum.
The aim of this study was to evaluate bovine abortions in Flan-
ders for the presence of A. phagocytophilum during the tick
season (July-September), since anaplasmosis is a tick born
disease.
Materials and methods: Between July and Septem-
ber 2012, the placenta and fetal spleen of 150 late term (> 7
months pregnant) bovine abortions were collected and ana-
lysed using an A. phagocytophilum PCR. All abortion cases
were also tested for brucellosis by Brucella spp culture on the
placenta and serology on maternal serum, for Neospora cani-
num by analysis for antibodies on maternal serum and for bo-
vine viral diarrhea virus (BVDv) by antigen ELISA. The aborted
fetus was examined for bacteria by aerobic, Listeria spp and
yeast/fungal cultures on abomasal and lung tissue.
Results: Seven of 150 abortion cases (4.7%) were BVDv
Ag positive on fetal spleen. In 12 of 150 cases (9.7%) yeasts
or moulds were detected. Bacteria were found in 59 of 150
(39.3%) fetal abomasal samples and in 46 of 150 (30.7%) fe-
tal lung samples. Seroprevalence of Neospora caninum in the
aborted dams was 15.33% (23/150).
Of the placenta samples, 2.66% (4/150) was positive for A.
phagocytophilum, while none of the fetal spleen samples was.
No positive samples were found in the 7th month of gestation,
while 1 positive sample originated from an abortion case that
occurred in the 8th month of gestation and 3 samples were
from abortions that happened in the 9th month of gestation.
Conclusions: The detection of A. phagocytophilum in late
term bovine abortions suggests a potential role of this patho-
gen in (un)diagnosed cases of bovine abortion in Flanders.
Placental tissue is probably the most preferred tissue to detect
this pathogen in case of an abortion. Based on these findings,
it can be interesting to include an A. phagocytophilum PCR in
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ORAL — Infectious Diseases
the abortion monitoring program during the tick season.
Project financially supported by the FASFC and Sanitary
Fund.
Keywords: Bovine, abortion, Anaplasma phagocytophi-
lum.
ID-38
Biosecurity and biocontainment  risks of Mycobacterium
avium subspecies paratuberculosis entering and spreading
in UK dairy herds
Richard Sibley1, Peter Orpin2.
West Ridge Veterinary Practice, Witheridge, United Kingdom;
1 West Ridge Veterinary Practice, Witheridge, United Kingdom.
Myhealthyherd.com, Leicester, United Kingdom.
2
Objectives: The risks of Johnes disease entry and spread
in over 3000 UK dairy herds using a risk assessment tool to
measure, monitor and manage risks were studied to identi-
fy significant risks, with the objective of allowing farmers to
manage those risks that predisposes their cattle to Johnes
Disease.
Materials and Methods: A web based risk assessment
tool was used by trained veterinary surgeons to assess, mea-
sure and monitor biosecurity and biocontainment risks on over
3000 UK dairy herds that engaged in some form of Johnes
Disease management. The tool uses standard assessments
and an algorithm to quantify risks and provide a summary and
priority to identify and manage risks as part of the control plan.
Results: Biosecurity risks were defines as the risks of
Mycobacterium Avium subspecies Paratruberculosis (MAP)
entering the herd. 50% of herds were designated high risk of
entry of MAP in to the herd, mostly due to purchasing cattle of
unknown disease status and allowing cattle to drink from water
courses that had passed through other livestock farms. Only
20% of dairy herds were designated as low biosecurity risk for
the entry of Johnes disease.
Biocontainment risks were defines as those risks that pre-
disposes to the spread of MAP within the herd. These risks are
associated with prevalence of Johnes Disease within the herd
and act as the multiplier of disease. 65% of herds were des-
ignated as high risk of disease spread, mostly due to the use
of multiple calving areas and poor perinatal hygiene, and the
use of pooled colostrum taken from high risk cows. Only 8% of
dairy herds were designated as low risk of spread.
Of 2462 herds that were designated as having high risks
of spread of MAP within their herds, 52% had high risks of
entry of the disease, making these herds very high risk of a
high prevalence of Johnes disease. 85% of these high risk
herds were designated as infected by the attending veterinary
surgeons.
Conclusions: Modern dairy farming systems tend to
predispose to the entry and spread of MAP in dairy herds.
Prevention and control of the disease will require significant
changes in management and husbandry to prevent the entry
and spread of the disease. The identification of specific risk
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
236
factors allows rational management systems to be introduced
to limit the spread of the disease in infected herds, and main-
tain freedom form disease in uninfected herds.
Keywords: Paratuberculosis, Johnes, biosecurity, biocon-
tainment, risks.
ID-39
Mycobacterium Avium subspecies Paratuberculosis (MAP)
Elisa tests on milk to predict future health and culling in a
dairy herd
Richard Sibley.
Objectives: This study investigates the use of serial milk
MAP elisa tests to predict health, productivity and emergency
culling of adult dairy cows.
Material and methods: The study involved a large dairy
herd of over 900 adult cows using milk MAP elisa tests on all
milking cows every three months as part of a Johnes Control
programme. Over 3000 adult cows that had been culled from
the herd over a period of ten years, and which had milk elisa
test results for their entire adult life were studied to determine
if test results in the could be used to create a robust plan to
manage test positive cows to predict and prevent health prob-
lems. Udder health, lifetime milk yield, fertility and emergency
culling (as defined by being culled within 100 days of calving)
were used to define health and productivity.
Results: Cows that had just one positive MAP elisa test in
their lifetime had similar health and productivity to cows that
had never had a positive test. Cows that had at least 2 consec-
utive positive tests had significantly higher somatic cell counts
and higher emergency culling rates (34% of these cows were
culled within 100 days of calving). Cows with at least four
positive MAP elisa tests, with rising titres at each consecutive
test had a very high emergency culling rate, such that 46%
of these cows were culled within 100 days of calving for se-
vere health issues. There was little difference in milk yields
between positive and negative test cows.
Cows with repeated positive MAP test results have high
risks of health problems that lead to emergency culling, with
the consequent major economic losses incurred when culling
lactating cattle with no salvage value.
Conclusion: Rising titres of MAP antibodies as measured
by milk elisa tests indicate imminent severe health problems
with poor prognosis.
Keywords: MAP, Elisa, Johnes, milk.

ID-40
Systematic review of herd-level test characteristics for
Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis in cattle
Niamh Field1, John Mee1, Conor McAloon2.
Teagasc, Fermoy, Republic of Ireland; 2University College Dublin,
1
Belfield, Republic of Ireland.
Objective: Conduct a systematic literature review to sum-
marise the published estimates for herd sensitivity (HSe) and
herd specificity (HSp) of diagnostic tests for Mycobacterium
avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) in cattle.
Materials and Methods: A comprehensive literature
search was performed in July 2020 to identify all published
papers, including conference proceedings, published up to
the date of the search, referring to herd sensitivity (HSe) and/
or herd specificity (HSp) of a test method for MAP in cattle.
All articles returned in the search went through a systematic
four-stage screening process to identify relevant studies. Arti-
cles were included if they were written in English, available in
full-text, had cattle as the species of interest (either dairy or
beef) and contained an evaluation of the HSe and/or HSp of
a diagnostic test method for MAP. Data extracted from each
publication included sample population/s, method/s of analy-
sis, reference tests, cut-off points, HSe and HSp. The relevant
publications were classified based on the test method evaluat-
ed, and the results for each test method were summarised as
a range of reported estimates.
Results: Forty-six publications with relevant results were
eligible for inclusion in the final review, containing evaluations
of whole-herd ELISA testing, bulk milk tank (BMT) ELISA, cul-
ture and PCR, pooled faecal testing and environmental sam-
ple testing. The ranges for HSe and HSp reported for each test
method is summarised in Table 1.
Table 1. Summary of Johne’s disease herd-level test characteristics.
Screening test Herd sensitivity Herd specificity
(%) (%)
Whole-herd ELISA 40-100 21-96
Whole-herd ELISA + PCR 9-86 100 b
BMT ELISA 8-97 53-100
BMT PCR/culture 0-85 100b
Pooled faecal testing 26-100 100b
Environmental sampling a
24-100 100b
a
From studies evaluating a protocol using six composite samples
b
Herd specificity can be assumed to be 100% due to direct detection
of MAP bacteria.
The reported herd-level test characteristics for MAP
demonstrate considerable differences in test accuracy. The
wide ranges in reported estimates for each test are due to the
variations in between-and within-herd prevalence, test proto-
cols and cut-off points between studies. Whole-herd ELISA
testing has potentially high HSe (40-100%) but potentially low
HSp. This will result in many non-infected herds being clas-
sified as infected. The choice of seroprevalence cut-off point
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Infectious Diseases
(ranged from >0% to 3% seroprevalence) for defining a herd
as infected affects the estimates reported for whole-herd se-
rology. The poor HSp of whole herd ELISA testing can be over-
come by ancillary faecal testing of ELISA-positive animals,
with an associated reduction in HSe. Bulk milk tank ELISA
HSe estimates vary widely depending on the S/P ratio cut-
off point used in the study. When manufacturer-recommended
cut-offs are used, the HSe for BMT ELISA ranges from 8-30%.
Environmental sampling and pooled faecal testing have rel-
atively high HSe, 24-100% and 26-100%, respectively, and
100% HSp due to direct detection of MAP bacteria.
Conclusion: There are numerous options for herd-level
testing for MAP in cattle. However, it is clear from this review
that there are wide ranges in HSe and HSp estimates between
studies. This makes it difficult to draw conclusions regarding
the predicted performance of a test in a specific population
with unknown disease prevalence. Decision-makers must
balance the test characteristics with the resources available
(funding, laboratory capacity) to identify the most suitable herd
test method(s) in a population.
Keywords: Paratuberculosis, systematic, diagnostic, sen-
sitivity, specificity.
ID-41
Control of paratuberculosis in small structured cattle farms
Johannes Lorenz Khol1, Thorben Liening-Ewert2, Laura Auböck1,
Paul Paul Ortner2, Josef Kössler2, Alexander Tichy3, Michael Dünser4,
Christian Mader5.
1
University Clinic for Ruminants, University of Veterinary Medicine
Vienna, Vienna, Austria; 2Regional Veterinary Office Tyrol, Innsbruck,
Austria; 3Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Platform, University of
Veterinary Medicine Vienna;, Vienna, Austria; 4Austrian Agency for
Health and Food Safety, Linz, Austria; 5Veterinary Health Service
Tyrol, Innsbruck, Austria.
Objectives: Since 2013, a voluntary survey and control
program for MAP (Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuber-
culosis), the cause of paratuberculosis (Johne´s disease) in
cattle, is in place in the Austrian province of Tyrol. This alpine
province is characterized by a small structured, traditional way
of cattle farming. The aim of the present study was to evalu-
ate data collected in the course of the MAP-program, related
to the prevalence of MAP, as well as to the dynamics of the
infection.
Material and methods: About 4,600 farms, representing
approximately 70% of the Tyrolean dairy cattle, are participat-
ing in the MAP-program. In course of the program, MAP-posi-
tive farms are detected by boot swab sampling in a two years
interval, followed by single animal testing and removing of
positive animals. Additionally, basic hygienic measures to
prevent further spread of the infection are advised in positive
farms. During the program, structural date describing the farm
characteristics and management practices were collected.
Results: In course of the program, the initial prevalence of
7.5% positive herds in 2013 decreased to 0.5% in 2019.
237
ORAL — Infectious Diseases
Detailed investigation of individual animal results revealed,
that MAP-shedding decreased considerably after removal
of single positive animals within a herd. Surprisingly, many
cattle showed negative individual results and farms stayed
MAP-negative in consecutive boot swab samplings thereafter,
indicating possible passive shedding in some animals. Fur-
thermore, these findings suggest, that fade out of the disease,
after removal of MAP-shedding animals and the implementa-
tion of hygienic measures, may occur.
Analysis of risk factors showed, that the use of common
alpine pasture seems not to be a significant contribution to
the transmission of MAP. The same was found for sharing of
equipment, which both seems to be in contrast to the current
literature. On the other hand, rearing of calves with milk replac-
er, instead of whole milk, significantly decreased the chance to
be MAP positive, which has been described before. Housing
also seems to have an impact on the MAP-status of the farms,
but the results are ambiguous and need further evaluation.
Conclusions: The data collected over a period of ten
years indicate, that the use of common (alpine) pastures
seems not to be a significant factor for the distribution of MAP.
Furthermore, the dynamics of MAP infections in small struc-
tured cattle farms may contribute to the successful reduction
of the MAP-herd prevalence by removing single positive ani-
mals and implementing basic hygienic measures.
Keywords: Paratuberculosis, Mycobacterium avium sub-
sp. paratuberculosis, cattle, control, risk factors.
ID-42
A novel topical therapy for Foot-and-Mouth Disease
improves animal welfare and reduces antimicrobial
resistance risks
Peter Windsor1, Sevidzem Lendzele2, Syseng Khounsy3, Jacques
François Mavoungou4, Francesca Earp5, Isabel Macphillamy5, Jim
Young5.
1
Production Animal Welfare & Health Services, Scarborough, NSW,
Australia; 2Cattle Fattening & Milk Production Cooperative, Troua
Belel, Cameroon; 3Department of Livestock & Fisheries, Vientiane,
Lao People's Democratic Republic; 4Institute for Research in Tropical
Ecology, Libreville, Gabon; 5The University of Sydney, Camden,
Australia.
Objective: Improving the therapy used by para-veteri-
narians and veterinarians in Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD)
outbreaks, particularly in developing countries where FMD is
endemic, is an important but largely ignored aspect of glob-
al FMD management. Whilst effective therapy is the focus of
livestock owners, the priority for donors and policy makers
is usually investments in vaccination programs that are fre-
quently unsustainable. Treatment for FMD is typically use of
inappropriate parenteral and/or topical antibiotics, for a viral in-
fection, risking development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
and food safety issues, plus increasing household and nation-
al socioeconomic losses from FMD. There is an urgent need
for a therapeutic with clear animal welfare benefits, no AMR
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
238
risks; one that encourages the reporting of clinical cases to
authorities by farmers seeking an effective treatment for their
valuable livestock.
Material and Methods: Opportunistic clinical studies were
conducted during field FMD outbreaks in Laos and Cameroon
in 2019, using a farmer applied ‘spray-on‘ wound formulation,
developed and registered in Australia for provision of anal-
gesia, antisepsis and reduced healing times in animals un-
dergoing routine husbandry procedures (Tri-Solfen®, Animal
Ethics Pty Ltd, Australia). Study sites were villages with nat-
urally occurring FMD outbreaks, occurring in April 2019 near
Luang Prabang in Laos and November 2019 near Ngoundere
in Cameroon. Animals treated included cattle and buffalo (n
= 136) in Laos and cattle (n = 40) in Cameroon, all with clin-
ical vesicular lesions of FMD. The therapy (Tri-Solfen®) was
applied liberally (1-2mls per lesion) to all the oral and ped-
al vesicular lesions in the FMD-affected animals in Laos. In
Cameroon, some pedal lesions were left untreated to compare
healing rates and additional cohorts of FMD-affected animals
were treated with a parenteral oxyteracycline antibiotic (n =
12; Moore Oxy®, Nigeria) or left untreated (n = 69), enabling
comparisons of response to therapy of the pain relief (Tri-
Solfen®) treated, antimicrobial treated and untreated animals.
In addition to clinical observations during and following treat-
ment, follow-up surveys involving questionnaires were con-
ducted in both countries with the owners of treated animals
approximately a week to 10 days following the clinical studies.
Results: There was a rapid response to treatment ob-
served as a marked improvement in the demeanour of the
treated animals and immediate unanimous approval of the
efficacy of treatment by the livestock owners. The surveys
confirmed that: oral lesions generally healed faster than feet
lesions; that all topical pain-relief treated lesions generally
healed within a week of treatment; in animals only treated
with an antimicrobial agent (Cameroon) lesions healed after
a week or more and longer for untreated animals; the appe-
tite score was higher for pain-relief treated cases than with
the antimicrobial treatment and untreated animals; pain during
walking was relieved faster with topical pain relief medication
compared to those treated with the antimicrobial agent and un-
treated counterparts; and in both countries, farmers reported
a 100% appreciation for the pain relief product and were keen
to have it available for general use. This product contains two
topical anaesthetics (lignocaine and bupivacaine), adrenalin,
and cetrimide in a gel matrix. As no antimicrobial agents are
present, use of the product reduces AMR risk and with a pH
of ~2.7 it is potentially viricidal and may reduce environmental
transmission of FMDV if used prior to or during rupture of vesi-
cles. Evidence from depletion studies suggests that with-hold-
ing periods of 4 days for meat and 3 days for milk will minimise
any risk of tissue residues.
Conclusion: These clinical trials indicate that this novel
pain relief therapeutic provided effective pain relief through
blockage of nociception and ease of application and coverage
encouraged the rapid repair of lesions. wounds. This may be
an important intervention for improving animal welfare in FMD,
potentially encouraging livestock farmers to report outbreaks
as they seek supplies of a ‘new medicine that works’ as it pro-
vides readily visible amelioration of suffering. Sustainable FMD
control requires improved surveillance and biosecurity practic-
es, effective public awareness campaigns to encourage com-

pliance, plus in many instances, effective strategic vaccination
programs. However, access to an efficacious and affordable
therapy that contains no antimicrobial agents and is likely to
be viricidal, is important for future FMD control programmes if
it: encourages farmer reporting; decreases virus transmission;
substantially improves animal welfare; and reduces AMR risk.
Keywords: FMD, therapy, welfare, AMR, cattle.
ID-43
Molecular typing of Mannheimia haemolytica isolates from
UK cattle surveillance submissions
Colin Mason1, Jane Errington1, Geoff Foster2, Jennifer Thacker3,
Oliver Grace3, Katharine Baxter-Smith4.
1
SRUC Veterinary Services, St Marys Industrial Estate, Dumfries,
United Kingdom; 2SRUC Veterinary Services, Drummondhill,
Inverness, United Kingdom; 3SRUC Veterinary Services, Pentlands
Science Park, Penicuik, United Kingdom; 4MSD Animal Health, Milton
Keynes, United Kingdom.
Objectives: Mannheimia haemolytica is an important and
commonly recognised cause of respiratory disease in cattle
and sheep worldwide. M. haemolytica serotypes A1, A2 and
A6 are considered the most prevalent in cattle worldwide
(Al-Ghamdi et al 2000) and are readily isolated from the na-
sopharynx of healthy cattle. Serotypes A1 and A6 have been
reported as common isolates from pneumonic lung tissue
(Klima et al 2014). M. haemolytica serotype A2 is considered
primarily associated with disease in sheep (Fodor et al 1984).
The aim of this study was to survey M. haemolytica isolates
derived from pneumonia cases in the UK that were submitted
for diagnostic investigation. Understanding the diversity of se-
rotypes in the sample set is of use to inform future preventative
strategies.
Materials and Methods: 100 M. haemolytica isolates de-
rived from bovine clinical pathology and post mortem samples
from pneumonia cases were tested using a multiplex PCR as-
say incorporating three serotype specific primer pairs for iden-
tification of M. haemolytica serotypes A1, A2 and A6 (Klima at
al 2017). Primary bacterial cultures were made on Columbia
sheep blood agar following 18-24 hours incubation at 37°C
in capnophilic conditions, identification was confirmed using
routine phenotypic tests and isolates were stored at -80°C.
Isolates were selected from cases which occurred between
2016 and 2018. Isolates were from nasopharyngeal swabs (17
isolates) or broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (2 samples) submit-
ted from cases with a recorded clinical history of respiratory
disease. The remainder were from post mortem samples (81
isolates) with a clinical history of respiratory disease and con-
sistent gross pathology. Sample selection was not random or
unbiased.
Results: 45% isolates were M. haemolytica serotype A1,
30% serotype A2, 18% serotype A6 and 7% un-typable us-
ing the techniques employed. Isolates were recovered from
animals aged between 1 day and 8 years old and an equal
proportion of male and female animals. 70% of isolates were
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Infectious Diseases
derived from animals reared for beef production and 30% from
animals reared for dairy production.
Conclusions: The finding that M. haemolytica serotype
A1 is the most common serotype in this UK sample set is con-
sistent with other studies looking at European isolates (An-
drés-Lasheras 2019). M. haemolytica serotype A2 has been
reported in North America as a commensal organism in cattle.
97% of the M. haemolytica serotype A2 isolates were isolated
from pneumonic lung tissue. In 60% of the cases from which
M. haemolytica serotype A2 was isolated, no other respiratory
pathogens were detected. These findings do suggest a poten-
tial, causal role for M. haemolytica serotype A2 in bovine res-
piratory disease. In the UK there is only one vaccine which has
been shown to protect or cross protect against M. haemolytica
serotypes A1 and A6, but not A2.
References:
1. Andrés-Lasheras S, Zaheer R, Klima C, Sanderson H,
Ortega Polo R, Milani M, Vertenten G and McAllister
TA. (2019) Serotyping and antimicrobial resistance of
Mannheimia haemolytica strains from European cattle
with bovine respiratory disease. Research in Veteri-
nary Science 124, 10-12.
2. Al-Ghamdi G.M., Ames T.R., Baker J.C., Walker R.,
Chase C.C., Frank G.H., Maheswaran S.K. (2000) Se-
rotyping of Mannheimia (Pasteurella) haemolytica iso-
lates from the upper Midwest United States. Journal of
Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation 12, 576–578.
3. Fodor L., Varga J., Hajtos I., Szemeredi G. (1984)
Serotypes of Pasteurella haemolytica isolated from
sheep, goats and calves. Zoonoses Public Health 31,
466–469.
4. Klima C.L., Alexander T.W., Hendrick S., McAllister
T.A. (2014) Characterization of Mannheimia haemo-
lytica isolated from feedlot cattle that were healthy or
treated for bovine respiratory disease. Canadian Jour-
nal of Veterinary Research 78, 38–45.
5. Klima C.L., Zaheer R., Briggs R.E., McAllister T.A.,
2017 A multiplex PCR assay for molecular capsular
serotyping of Mannheimia haemolytica serotypes 1, 2,
and 6. Journal of Microbiological Methods 139, 155-
160.
Acknowledgements: This study was funded by MSD an-
imal health. SRUC Veterinary Services  disease surveillance
programme is funded by the Scottish Government.
Keywords: Mannheimia haemolytica, Cattle, Serotype.
ID-44
Leptospira hardjo re-introduction in a certified-free herd
in the Netherlands
Katrien Van Den Brink, Marian Aalberts, Linda Van Wuijckhuise.
Royal GD, Deventer, Netherlands.
239
ORAL — Infectious Diseases
Objectives: Leptospira serovar hardjo (L. hardjo) is a zoo-
nosis and cattle are the main carrier. The Netherlands is the
only country in the world with a L. hardjo-free control program.
In 1990 the estimated herd prevalence in dairy herds was
25%. Since 2005 only farms with a L. hardjo-free status are
allowed to deliver milk to the dairy industry. The Dutch dairy
population is free of L. hardjo, with very sporadic cases. The
herd prevalence among non-dairy herds is 0,8%, based on
national screening in 2013. Monitoring for re-introduction is
necessary, as for many different reasons increasing numbers
of cattle are purchased by Dutch farmers: in 2019 over 42,000
cattle were introduced from non-free herds as compared to on
average around 6,000 in 2013. A considerable part of these
cattle are imported.
This case report presents the results of a follow-up study
after re-introduction of L. hardjo in a previously free herd.
Materials and methods: The L. hardjo-free control pro-
gram is carried out by Royal GD. Herds are assigned the L.
hardjo-free status after initial assessment consisting of test-
ing the sera of all individual animals on the farm. Surveillance
of L. hardjo-free herds is based on bulk milk samples every
four months, serum-testing aborted cattle, monitoring cattle
movement data and testing sera from cattle introduced from
non-free herds. Bulk milk samples and sera are tested with an
indirect L. hardjo antibody ELISA (Thermo Fisher Scientific).
In the event of a positive or inconclusive antibody test
result, further testing is mandatory and the farm loses the L.
hardjo-free status and receives the status ‘unknown’. In case
of an introduced animal with non-negative test results, the an-
imal needs to be removed from the herd. Four weeks later, a
confirmative bulk milk sample is taken, to test for spread of L.
hardjo in the herd.
If control samples are L. hardjo antibody positive, individ-
ual testing of all the animals in the herd is mandatory to in-
vestigate spreading of L. hardjo. If spreading is confirmed, all
animals in the herd are treated with an antibiotic and the herd
status is changed to ‘treated’.
To monitor for spread of L. hardjo in treated herds, a se-
ronegative tracer group of animals > two years old are serum
tested every six months.
Results: The 120 head dairy herd was L. hardjo-free since
1999. In the last control bulk milk sample of June 8th 2019, no
antibodies for L. hardjo were detected.
On June 28th 2019, thirteen cows were imported from Lux-
embourg and introduced into the herd without a quarantine pe-
riod. Mandatory testing of sera from these cows, taken on July
18th 2019, resulted in one inconclusive and twelve sero-neg-
ative test results. A second serum sample of the animal that
tested inconclusive, was inconclusive as well. This animal was
removed from the herd on August 15th 2019.
Four weeks later, a bulk milk sample tested positive, which
was confirmed by another bulk milk sample. Subsequently,
sera were taken from all cattle in the herd on October 4th 2019.
Multiple animals had antibodies for L. hardjo, also animals that
were not imported. After the confirmed spreading of L. hardjo,
all cattle on the farm were treated with a single high dose of
dihydrostreptomycin (25 mg/kg body weight, intramuscular).
The seropositive animals showed no clinical signs of L.
hardjo infection. At the herd level, milk production was lower
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
240
than expected with an increase in clinical mastitis cases.
Conclusions: In 2019, a L. hardjo infection was observed
in a certified-free dairy herd in the Netherlands, after import of
infected cattle from Luxembourg. As import of dairy cattle by
Dutch farmers is increasing, import poses an increasing threat
for the Dutch L. hardjo-free program.
Keywords: L. hardjo, control-program, bulk milk, import,
re-introduction.
ID-45
Field Study of Control and Eradication of Endemic M.bovis
in a Persistently Infected Dairy Herd using a Novel Testing
Programme
Richard Sibley.
West Ridge Veterinary Practice, Witheridge, United Kingdom.
Objectives: A large dairy herd comprising 350 adult milk-
ing dairy cows and 700 youngstock and beef animals was
enrolled in a novel management programme to attempt to
eradicate M.bovis from the herd by managing biosecurity and
biocontainment within the herd, concurrent with the statutory
management of bovine tuberculosis by testing and culling.
The Gatcombe Herd had been persistently infected with
tuberculosis for over 7 years, with the statutory single intra-
dermal comparative cervical tuberculin test (SICCT) identify-
ing over 100 reactors which were immediately culled in ac-
cordance with the statutory control regulations. Despite strict
biosecurity during this time, the statutory controls failed to re-
move infection from the herd.
An assumption was made that infection was circulating in
the herd, with cows shedding M.bovis without be identified by
the SICCT, and thus transmitting the infection to susceptible
cattle. The objective of the study was to prevent new infections
from shedding cattle by management and husbandry.
Materials and methods: 192 cattle were identified and
categorised in the herd using the staturoty Single Intrader-
mal Comparative Cervical Tuberculin Test (SICCT) records to
detect any animal that had ever had any form of reaction to
the bovine tuberculin in its lifetime. Once categorised as high
risk, these animals were repeatedly tested for the presence of
M.bovis after each SICCT, which was performed every 60 days
in accordance with the regulatory testing programme. 154 of
these high risk animals were repeatedly tested for the pres-
ence of M.bovis in blood and faeces using viral phage testing
and qPCR.
Results: 125 of the 154 high risk cows (81%) had at least
one phage positive test, indicating that they were infected with
M.bovis despite not being identified as reactors by the SICCT.
34 of these animals in the enhanced testing regime had at
least one positive qPCR test on faeces, indicating shedding of
the organism in their faeces.
Animals which were shown to be shedding were either
culled or isolated to prevent transmission. High risk animals
were prioritised for culling, but with economic performance

moderating culling decisions. All potential risks of transmission
were identified and controlled by management and husbandry.
Becasue of the unexpected high level of faecal shedding from
some infected cows, risks of transmission were identified and
managed to prevent further spread within the herd.
After three years of the control programme, the herd is now
Officially TB Free and has had no SICCT reactors in the last 4
routine skin tests.
Conclusions: This study demonstrates the potential for
controlling and eradicating M.bovis from persistently infected
herds where endemic infection circulates within the herd and
cannot be identified or controlled by the statutory control pro-
grammes that rely on the SICCT to identify infected animals.
The control programme allows the economic and meticu-
lous removal of infection from the herd, and minimises the risk
of re-introduction by minimising environmental contamination.
Keywords: Tuberculosis.
ID-46
Identification of potential microbial taxa involved in the
efficacy of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from
healthy donors to recipients suffering from diarrhea in
calves
Tomonori Nochi1, Jahidul Islam1, Masae Tanimizu2, Yu Shimizu2,
Yoshiaki Goto2, Natsuki Ohtani2, Kentaro Sugiyama2, Eriko Tatezaki2,
Masumi Sato2, Eiji Makino2, Toru Shimada2, Chise Ueda2, Ayumi
Matsuo1, Yoshihisa Suyama1, Yoshifumi Sakai1, Mutsumi Furukawa1,
Katsuki Usami1, Hiroshi Yoneyama1, Hisashi Aso1, Hidekazu Tanaka2.
Tohoku University, Miyagi, Japan; 2Chiba Prefectural Federated
1
Agricultural Mutual Aid Association, Chiba, Japan.
Objectives: Calf diarrhea (CD) is a common disease and
has an acute negative impact in the economy of the livestock
industry. Antibiotics have been consistently used to treat the
disease; however, fecal microbiome transplantation (FMT) has
been attracting attention as an alternative therapy for CD. The
objectives of this study were to characterize the fecal microbi-
ota profile of healthy and diarrhea calves as well as potential
donor selection for FMT using a machine learning approach.
Materials and method: Bacterial genomic DNA was ex-
tracted from feces of 156 calves, which were bred in different
farms and classified as healthy (n=108) and diarrhea (n=48),
and they were further compared with diarrhea calves used in
an FMT study in which donors (n=20) and recipients (n=20)
were enrolled. High throughput 16S rRNA amplicon sequenc-
ing for metagenomics was performed using a next-generation
sequencer. In addition, a random forest (RF) prediction model
was established, and a variable importance analysis was con-
ducted with the aim of identifying microbial taxa those can be
considered as potential predictors.
Results: The most abundant phylum in the faces of
calves were Firmicutes and Bacteriodetes, which were found
in healthy (51.17 % and 38.20 %) and diarrhea (46.03% and
31.91 %) groups, respectively. A principal coordinate analysis
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
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of the unweighted UniFrac distance matrix showed a signif-
icant difference between healthy and diarrhea calves. Spe-
cifically, in the RF model Campylobacter, Actinobacillus, and
Sporobacter were identified based on the mean decrease in
accuracy. Campylobactor, Sporobacter, and Streptococcus
were identified as the most discriminating predictors based on
the mean decrease in the gini criteria. Considering microbial
abundance, Sporobacter was abundant in the overall healthy
and donor groups for successful FMT. Along with RF, LEfSe
analysis was subsequently performed among these groups,
in which Sporobacter was found to be abundant in the healthy
group. Taken together, these results suggest that Sporobacter
may be a potential biomarker for the donors associated with
FMT success.
Conclusion: FMT is an effective treatment option for the
prevention of diarrhea in calves, specifically by identifying a
beneficial microbial cluster. These findings have enormous
significance for the livestock industry because FMT could
eventually address the challenge of CD treatment as well as
the use of excessive antibiotics.
Keywords: Diarrhea, fecal microbiome transplantation,
calves, metagenomics.
ID-47
Farmer psychosocial factors associated with bovine viral
diarrhoea control behaviours
Naomi Prosser1, Martin Green1, Eamonn Ferguson2, Michael
Tildesley3, Edward Hill3, Matt Keeling3, Jasmeet Kaler1.
1
University of Nottingham, Sutton Bongington, Leicestershire, United
Kingdom; 2University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom;
3
University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom.
Objectives: Psychosocial factors are important for the
uptake of health protective behaviours in human health, how-
ever many have not been investigated in the context of live-
stock disease control where the farmer is making decisions
for their livestock. There are diverse approaches farmers can
take to control bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) in their herds, from
BVD-specific vaccination, testing and culling to the more gen-
eral prevention of the introduction of infectious diseases from
other cattle (such as by having a closed herd, isolating new
cattle and preventing contact with neighbouring cattle) and
these may be influenced by psychosocial factors. This study
investigated psychosocial and behaviour change factors in the
context of BVD control methods used by cattle farmers.
Material and methods: A survey was completed by 475
UK cattle farmers in 2020. Multiple validated measures were
used to investigate trust, psychological proximity (feeling close
to another person), altruism and factors from a behaviour
change framework (COM-B). The survey also investigated the
methods of BVD control that the farmers used. Farmers were
grouped by similar BVD control practices using latent class
analysis, and a multinomial logistic regression model was
used to investigate associations between the psychosocial
and behaviour change factors and the BVD control classes.
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ORAL — Infectious Diseases
Results: Farmers had the highest psychological proximity
with (felt the closest to) their cows, followed by their vet, neigh-
bouring farmers, the veterinary community, dairy farmers, beef
farmers, the farming community, the National Farmers Union
and the Government. Similarly, the farmers had the most trust
in vets, followed by the NFU, other farmers and governmental
organisations. The level of altruism among the farmers was
similar to that of other people in general.
Farmers split into nine classes for how they controlled BVD
from the latent class analysis. Similar classes were merged
for further analysis resulting in five classes: 1) Does nothing
(12%), 2) Vaccinates (25%), 3) Careful introducing new cattle
(sources cattle from BVD-free herds and tests/isolates on ar-
rival) (16%), 4) Vaccinates, careful introducing new cattle and
prevents contact with neighbouring cattle (31%) and 5) Closed
herd and prevents contact with neighbouring cattle (15%).
There were psychosocial differences between the farmers
in each class that was using some BVD controls compared
with the farmers who did nothing. Farmers who were vacci-
nating had higher psychological proximity with dairy farmers,
lower psychological proximity with beef farmers and higher
motivation to control disease (due to both automatic habits
and emotions and reflective plans and goals). Farmers who
were careful introducing new cattle had higher trust in other
farmers. Farmers who were vaccinating, careful introducing
new cattle and keeping them separate from neighbouring cat-
tle had higher psychological proximity with their vet, lower trust
in other farmers and had higher motivation to control disease.
Finally, farmers who had a closed herd and were preventing
contact with neighbouring cattle had lower trust in other farm-
ers, higher psychological proximity to dairy farmers and lower
psychological proximity to beef farmers, as well as being more
likely to feel that they had enough knowledge and understand-
ing of how and why to control infectious diseases and enough
time and money to do so.
Conclusion: Various psychosocial factors were associat-
ed with the specific behaviours that farmers used to control
BVD and understanding these will help veterinarians tailor
their messages to encourage clients to take up disease con-
trol measures. Of particular relevance is that farmers with high
psychological proximity with their vet were more likely to be
proactively controlling BVD, which was more important here
than the more extensively investigated trust. Therefore, it is
important that vets work to ensure a close vet-farmer relation-
ship to encourage proactive BVD control by farmers.
Keywords: Bovine viral diarrhoea, Infectious disease con-
trol, Farmer behaviour, Psychosocial factors.
ID-50
Prevalence of Coxiella burnetii in Central and Eastern
European dairy herds
Attila Dobos , Miklos Gyuranecz , Zsuzsa Kreizinger , Aron Kovacs .
1 2 2 2
Ceva, Budapest, Hungary; 2Institute for Veterinary Medical Research,
1
Centre for Agricultural Research, Budapest, Hungary.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
242
Objectives: The aim of the present study was to assess
the prevalence of Coxiella burnetii in different size of dairy
herds in six Central and Eastern European countries based
on enzyme-linked immunosorbet assay (ELISA) and real-time
polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests.
Material and methods: Bulk tank milk samples were
collected from 370 dairy herds from six Central and Eastern
European countries (Croatia, n= 13; Czech Republic, n= 138;
Hungary, n= 126; Serbia, n= 24; Slovakia, n= 53; Slovenia, n=
16) between March and October, 2019. Samples were taken
randomly from dairy herds of different size, but with focusing
on larger dairies. Forty ml samples were taken from the bulk
milk tanks and tested on indirect ELISA and real-time PCR
targeting the IS1111.
Results: 1. The number of examined dairy herds varied ac-
cording to the country of origin, but the overall C. burnetii infec-
tion status (percentage of positive herds/total number of herds
with ELISA and PCR tests) ranged between 62.50-100.00%
in the Central and Eastern European countries. Prevalence
of C. burnetii differed according to the country of origin with
Croatia showing 100.00%, the Czech Republic 98.55%, Hun-
gary 97.61%, Serbia 70.83%, Slovakia 90.56% and Slovenia
showing 62.50% average percentages of the positive herds.
The analysis of the ELISA and PCR test results in association
with herd sizes revealed, that herds of ≥250 animals showed
significantly higher C. burnetii positivity (positive test results:
100%; Spearman’s rank correlation, rho = 0.716, p < 0.001),
than herds of <250 animals (positive test results: 73.03%). On
the other hand, examining only the PCR test results, similar
percentages of positive milk samples (40.63-44.94%) were
detected among the herds of different sizes.
Conclusions: The present research assessed the preva-
lence of Q fever at dairy farms in Central and Eastern Europe-
an countries, revealing increased seroprevalence in bulk tank
milk samples compared to other European countries. Based
on the analysis of the data, it is assumed that with growing
numbers of animals in dairies and farm structures moving
toward concentration, the risk of C. burnetii prevalence is in-
creasing, underlining the importance of monitoring the herds’
infection status and implementations of control measures
Keywords: Q-Fever,Central-Eastern Europe,Dairy cat-
tle,Milk,Coxiella Burnetii.
ID-51
An Epidemic of Salmonellosis caused by Imported
Rapeseed Meal Containing Salmonella at a Dairy Farm
Olli Ruoho.
Animal Health ETT, Seinäjoki, Finland.
Objectives: Finland has zero tolerance policy for salmo-
nella. All Salmonella serotypes are considered to be a signif-
icant threat for public health. Zero tolerance means, that ac-
tions are always taken, if salmonella is detected from feed,
animals or foodstuffs. The aim is to find the origin of infection
or contamination and to prevent further spread. Within the

framework of the official Salmonella control program, lymph
node and carcass swab samples are taken at slaughterhous-
es and raw milk is sampled at dairies. In addition, producers
themselves take a large number of self-monitoring samples,
e.g. in the context of animal trade. If salmonella is found on a
cattle-, swine- or poultry farm, the farm is put under restrictions
by the veterinary authorities and salmonella eradication must
be started.
Materials and methods: A dairy farm in Western Finland
was found to be positive for Salmonella Infantis in May 2019.
Heifers were to be sold from the farm and, hence, fecal
samples were examined for Salmonella. The loose-housing
dairy had 210 cows and 150 young animals. The farm was put
under restrictions. This e.g. means, that animal movements to
the farm an out of the farm are ceased. By special arrange-
ments, the milk can be delivered to the dairy to be diverted to
heat-treated products. The salmonella eradication was started
immediately.
The principles of eradicating salmonella from the animals
and the environment is to assure hygienic feed and water and
to cut the contamination of feed with feces. The production
facilities are cleaned and disinfected according to a separate
plan. All animals were examined for salmonellosis by faecal
samples. About 80 environmental swab samples were taken
e.g. from feeding tables, water throughs, feeding equipment
and feed storages. All samples were examined for Salmonella
(ISO 6579:2017).
The animals were fed TMR (total mixed ration) with a
TMR-wagon. TMR-feed itself and also each of its components
were examined. The main component of the TMR-feed was
pre-dried grass silage harvested from the own fields of the
farm. In addition, the feed included rapeseed meal, minerals
and farmed, ground barley and oats.
At first 25 % of the animals were salmonella positive. Some
swab samples from feeding tables, feeding equipment and
water throughs were positive but all feed was negative. The
hygienic procedures were concentrated to the critical points
found contaminated. Feeding tables and drinking throughs
were disinfected twice a day and the wheels of the vehicles
always before feeding. Feed handling and feeding equipment
was cleaned and disinfected as well as possible.
Next month, however, 60 % of faecal samples were posi-
tive for salmonella. Hence, new samples from the environment
and the feed were taken. Salmonella was detected in an en-
vironmental swab sample from the inner surface at the top of
the rapeseed meal silo cover. This site had not been sampled
before because a crane was needed for access. The rapeseed
meal was imported from abroad. It was not heat-treated but
tested on a sample of 1 bulk sample / 25,000 kg with negative
result.
The silo was emptied, washed and disinfected. Rapeseed
meal was excluded from animal nutrition and replaced by in-
dustrial heat-treated protein feed. The hygienic measures pro-
ceeded.
Results: The eradication procedure was monitored by fae-
cal and environmental swab samples every second or fourth
week. The animals got rid of salmonella in four months, as
confirmed by two successive monthly faecal samples from the
animals and one environmental swab sampling. Hence, the
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restrictions could be released.
Conclusions: The use of untreated rapeseed meal in an-
imal feeding involves a risk of salmonella that cannot be com-
pletely eliminated by sampling. Contamination does not nec-
essarily occur in feed samples alone but requires extensive
swab and dust sampling of the feed environment throughout
the whole feeding system. Feed storages and feeders may
contain salmonella inoculants which, when mixed with feed,
can cause infection in the herd.
Keywords: Salmonella, epidemic, rapeseed, dairy, farm.
ID-52
Facilitating the diagnosis of Q fever using FTA cards to
store and ship bulk tank milk samples
Michaël Treilles1, Pierre Charollais1, Raphaël Guatteo2, Carla
Azevedo3, Damien Achard3, Juan Munoz-Bielsa3, Philippe Gisbert3.
Laboratoire Qualyse, Champdeniers, France; 2INRAE, Oniris,
1
BIOEPAR, Nantes, France; 3Ceva Santé Animale, Libourne, France.
Objectives: Coxiellosis, also named Q fever, is an infec-
tious disease caused by an intra-cellular bacterium: Coxiella
burnetii (Cb). In cattle, Q fever, when symptomatic, is mainly
responsible for abortions, stillbirth, birth of weak calves, re-
tained placenta and metritis/endometritis. But it is also a zoo-
notic disease, ruminants being the main reservoir of Cb.
Bulk tank milk (BTM) is an easy, inexpensive, and repre-
sentative sample to detect Cb infections in dairy herds using
RT-PCR. But one major limitation under field conditions is
the need to deliver the BTM samples in adequate conditions
(quickly, refrigerated and safely) to a qualified laboratory. In
addition, sending non-inactivated biological material via reg-
ular post may be forbidden. A new innovative, easy, and ac-
curate diagnostic tool (QTest) for Q fever was developed to
overcome these constraints. Farmers or veterinarians simply
place some drops of BTM on a WHATMAN FTA Elute Micro
Card (FTA card) and let it dry before posting the card to the
laboratory.
The objective of this study was to validate the reliability of
this innovative technique.
Material and methods: This study had two complementa-
ry objectives, carried out in two steps.
The first step aimed at assessing the preservation of Cb
DNA detection from BTM spotted on a FTA card over time un-
der two different temperatures (20-22°C and 37°C) to mimic
field conditions. A milk sample was artificially contaminated
with Cb to reach a load of ~5x106 Genome Equivalent (GE)/
mL which became the master sample. The master sample was
then successively diluted at different dilutions (10-1, 10-2, 10-3,
10-4, and 10-5). Each diluted milk was then sampled several
times on FTA cards and stored for up to 29 days either at 20-
22°C or at 37°C. RT-PCR was performed for each dilution and
each storage temperature on days 1, 4, 6, 8, 11, 15, 20 and 29.
The second step aimed at comparing, after ageing, the
detection of Cb DNA by RT-PCR either when directly applied
243
ORAL — Infectious Diseases
on BTM or on BTM preserved on FTA cards. 70 BTM field
samples previously tested positive for Cb by RT-PCR were
stored as raw milk for 17 days before extraction or inoculated
onto FTA card on day 15 and extracted on day 21. On day 21,
a RT-PCR was performed for all the samples (raw milk and
FTA card) and the results were compared between the two
techniques for each sample.
Results: The first step showed that regardless of the du-
ration of FTA card storage, all samples with a dilution below
10-3 (approximately 103 GE/mL) were detected to contain Cb
DNA. Also, no significant loss of detectability was noted from
d1 to d29, regardless of dilution or storage temperature. This
means that the FTA card system ensures a stable preservation
of Cb DNA in BTM samples stored at 20-22°C and 37 °C for
at least 29 days.
For the second step, of the original 70 positive samples,
we had 58 samples that were tested positive using one of both
of the storage option. Of these 58 samples, 45 raw BTM sam-
ples tested positive and, of these, five tested negative when
using FTA cards. In other words, there were 13 false nega-
tives with older raw BTM samples while there were only 5 false
negatives for older BTM on FTA cards. These five remaining
were all with Ct value >35 indicating low quantities of Cb DNA.
We can assume that the non-detection was likely due to the
lack of reproducibility of the PCR technique for weak positive
samples.
Importantly, for 13 samples, FTA cards produced positive
PCR results while the equivalent raw BTM samples tested
gave negative PCR results. This indicates that the detection
rate was higher using FTA cards with aged BTM (91.4%) than
with raw aged BTM (77.6%) samples.
Conclusion: Our study showed that the use of QTest
makes BTM sampling, shipment, and storage very easy and
cheap, while results do not seem to be impaired by the preser-
vation/transportation method. Indeed, the stability of Cb DNA
on an FTA card is maintained for at least 29 days at either
20-22°C or 37 °C. Therefore, this technique would facilitate
an easier and more practical approach to diagnosis of Q fe-
ver at herd level and would be supportive of Q fever control
strategies.
Keywords: Q fever, Coxiella burnetii, bulk tank milk, diag-
nosis, PCR.
ID-53
Towards the control of sheep associated malignant catarrhal
fever (SA-MCF) in bison and buffalo in Wales, UK
Joseph Angell , Eleanor Bentley , James Stewart .
1 2 2 by qPCR. 1/10 sheep also had OvHV-2 detected by qPCR.
1
Wern Vets CYF, Ruthin, United Kingdom; 2The University of Liverpool,
Liverpool, United Kingdom.
Introduction and background: Bison and buffalo are not
commonly farmed in the UK, although they are considered an
option for diversification due to the high value of the animal
products. In the UK, a significant limiting factor for bison and
buffalo production is the high susceptibility of these animals to
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
244
sheep associated malignant catarrhal fever (SA-MCF) caused
by ovine herpes virus-2 (OvHV-2) and strategies to limit this
disease risk are essential to sustainable production.
Objectives: The aim of this project was to control SA-MCF
in bison and buffalo in Wales, UK.
Objective 1: determine the exposure of farmed bison and
buffalo to OvHV-2.
Objective 2: determine the presence/absence of OvHV-2
in species in contact with the bison/buffalo.
Objective 3: determine whether the bison/buffalo have
been exposed to other infectious diseases that could poten-
tially increase the risk of MCF following exposure to OvHV-2.
Objective 4: utilise a novel vector vaccine (Macavax) as
part of a control programme.
Materials and Methods: Two farms were included in the
project: 1) a mixed species farm with bison, cattle, sheep,
poultry and deer; 2) a farm with buffalo and sheep.
Blood/tissue samples were obtained from a sample of the
bison, cattle, sheep and deer from farm 1 and blood samples
were obtained from a sample of the buffalo and sheep from
farm 2.
qPCR was used to identify OvHV-2 on blood and tissue
samples and commercial antibody tests were used to deter-
mine exposure to bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVD), infectious
bovine rhinotracheitis virus (IBR), Mycobacterium avium sub-
species  paratuberculosis, Neospora caninum and  Mycoplas-
ma bovis. Faeces were examined for the presence of gas-
trointestinal nematode eggs,  Fasciola hepatica  eggs and
lungworm larvae.
Trace element analysis was carried out using commercial-
ly available tests.
Control strategies were deployed specific to the farms with
a novel vector vaccine (Macavax) utilised on farm 1.
The farms were monitored for 18 months to determine the
efficacy of the control strategies.
Results: Farm 1: no OvHv-2 was detected at the start of
the project, however several deaths in the preceding years
were confirmed as SA-MCF. The bison had evidence of pre-
vious exposure to IBR,  N. caninum  and  Mycoplasma bovis,
gastrointestinal nematodes and  Fasciola hepatica. Copper,
selenium and iodine deficiencies were also detected. The
Macavax vaccine was administered twice to bison originating
from the farm and once to new herd entrants that joined the
herd after one year. No adverse events were observed. The
health of the herd improved overall, however one death was
recorded after 18 months with SA-MCF confirmed by postmor-
tem and virus detection.
Farm 2: 4/19 (21.1%) of the buffalo had OvHV-2 detected
The buffalo had evidence of previous exposure to IBR and My-
coplasma bovis, with marginal trace element deficiencies. No
deaths associated with MCF were observed prior to or during
the study period.
Conclusions: Bison and buffalo can be farmed success-
fully in the UK, provided their health and welfare needs are
met appropriately. Various commercial strategies already in
place for cattle may be used in a similar way in these spe-
cies with appropriate amendments where necessary. Where

possible the bison and buffalo should be kept as far away as
possible from other species to reduce the risk of transmission
of infectious diseases, especially OvHV-2. The novel vector
vaccine (Macavax) was safe to use in bison, although further
work as to the specific extent of its efficacy is needed.  sample period ranging from 1 to 8. Herd size ranged from 1 to
Keywords: Bison, buffalo, malignant catarrhal fever, MCF,
control.
ID-54
Detection rates of primary abortifacient pathogens isolated
by conventional microbiology from dairy and suckler foetal
submissions, 2020-2021
Ciara Hayes1, John F Mee2, Catherine McAloon3, Bryan Markey3,
Miriam Casey3, Elisabeth Innes4, Cosme Sanchez1.
1
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Cork, Republic of
Ireland; 2Teagasc, Animal Bioscience Research Department, Fermoy,
Republic of Ireland; 3University College Dublin, Dublin, Republic of
Ireland; 4Moredun Research Institute, Penicuik, United Kingdom.
Objectives: The overall study objective was to establish
the national prevalence of infectious abortifacients, including
Coxiella burnettii, Chlamydia abortus and Mycoplasma bovis,
in bovine foetal material submitted to the Irish Veterinary Lab-
oratories Service (VLS) during the main (winter-spring) calving
season 2020/2021. This abstract describes the sample set,
available data and the results of routine foetal and placental
cultures.
Materials and Methods: Sampling of bovine foetal ma-
terial (abortions and stillbirths +/- placentae) was carried out
between October 2020 and May 2021 at the six Regional Vet-
erinary Laboratories (RVLs) of the VLS. This sample collection
interval was chosen to span the period over which most abor-
tions and stillbirths occur in Irish seasonal, grass-based dairy
and suckler herds.
On voluntary submission of a bovine foetus to any of the
six RVLs, relevant clinical history was taken from the herd
owner/keeper, including details of the herd, the foetus/es
and dam. Only foetuses with uninflated lungs were enrolled
in the study. Straight crown-rump length (sCRL) was mea-
sured. The foetus and placenta, if available, were examined
for gross abnormalities. A sample of foetal stomach content
and a swab of placenta were collected and immediately
plated on blood, Brucella and XLD agar. Blood and Brucella
agar plates were incubated in 8% CO2 at 37°C. XLD agar
was incubated in aerobically at 37°C. The sample was also
plated on Sabouraud’s agar if requested by the investigating
research officer. Plates were examined daily for seven days.
Up to 25ml of additional foetal stomach content, a pooled
sample of lung, liver and spleen and a sample of placenta
(if available) were also collected and frozen pending further
processing and testing. Lung, liver, midbrain and placenta
were fixed in formalin. After five days, the fixed tissues were
cut and placed in cassettes. These were then stored in wax
blocks until further processing.
Data were extracted from the VLS Laboratory Information
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
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Management System and processed using Microsoft Excel
and R Studio.
Results: The foetal carcasses originated from 855 indi-
vidual herds with number of submissions per herd over the
750 with a median of 110.
In total, 1181 entire foetal carcasses were examined with
(305) or without (876) placenta. The median, minimum and
maximum sCRL of the foetuses was 75, 22 and 130cm, re-
spectively. This implied median, minimum and maximum ges-
tational ages of approximately 223 days, 108 days and full
term, respectively, according to the formula:
DAY=8.4+0.087CROWN-RUMP+5.46CROWN-RUMP
Of the 1061 stomach content samples cultured, primary
pathogens were detected in 281 (26.4%); Trueperella pyo-
genes (124), Salmonella Dublin (69), other Salmonella spe-
cies (6), Bacillus licheniformis (31), Listeria monocytogenes
(42) and Aspergillus species (9). All Brucella abortus cultures
were negative.
Of the 186 placentae cultured, primary pathogens were de-
tected in 55 (29.6%); Salmonella Dublin (22), Bacillus licheni-
formis (21), Trueperella pyogenes (12), Listeria monocyto-
genes (4) and Aspergillus species (2). Two primary pathogens
were cultured from the same placental sample in six cases.
Various other bacterial and fungal species were isolated
from cultures of placenta and foetal stomach content, thought
to have a secondary role (i.e. opportunistic pathogens, capa-
ble of foetal or placental infection only under certain pre-ex-
isting conditions) in the pathogenesis of bovine abortion and
stillbirth.
Conclusions: These results indicate that approximately
25-30% of bovine foetal mortality in this national cattle pop-
ulation could be attributed to primary (mainly bacterial) abor-
tifacients detectable using routine culture methods. This rais-
es the question as to the causes of the remaining cases, an
international diagnostic challenge. To address this challenge,
the sample set collected in this study will be used to quantify
the role of other, less commonly tested for, primary pathogens
such as Neospora caninum, Coxiella burnettii, Chlamydia
abortus and Mycoplasma bovis.
Keywords: Bovine abortion, abortifacient pathogens.
ID-55
Prevalence of major enteric pathogens in Turkish dairy
calves
Dogus Palavan Ozkan, Barlas Bozyegit, Suna Simsek.
MSD Animal Health, Istanbul, Turkey.
Objective: The aim of the study was to measure the prev-
alence of the most important causes of diarrhea: E. coli K99,
Rotavirus, Coronavirus, Cryptosporidium spp. and Clostridium
perfringens in dairy farms located in 5 geographic regions of
Turkey.
Materials and Methods: The study has been performed
245
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between February 2015 and November 2017 in 24 dairy farms
located in Aegean, Mediterranean, Southeastern Anatolia,
Central Anatolia and Marmara.
280 feces samples were collected from 1 to 45 days old
calves with diarrhea. Most of them had still suckling reflex and
watery to creamy feces. An on-farm diagnostic test was used
to identify the 5 pathogens of interest in calves with diarrhea
(Rainbow Test Bio-K306, Bio-X Diagnostics, Belgium).
Results: At least one pathogen was identified in 244
calves from 280 diarrheic calves (87.15%). In 75 of the 244
positive samples, more than 1 pathogen were identified
(30.74%). In total 338 pathogens were identified in positive
feces samples. The most prevalent pathogen was Crypto-
sporidium with 154 cases (45.6%), then, 87 cases (25.7%)
of Rotavirus, 85 (25.1%) of C. perfringens, 10 (3.0%) of E.
coli, 2 (0,6%) of Coronavirus. In 94 (61%) of the 154 samples
positive for Cryptosporidium no other pathogen was identified.
A Cryptosporidium positive mix-infected sample was mostly
positive for Rotavirus as well (n=35, 23%). Cryptosporidium
prevalence was highest in the Aegean region (84%), followed
by Mediterranean (71,8%) and Southeastern Anatolia (70%).
Conclusions: In this study Cryptosporidium spp. and Ro-
tavirus are the predominant agents causing neonatal diarrhea
in the respective Turkish dairy herds. Effective control and
prevention of Cryptosporidium spp. and Rotavirus should be
the major focus points in the herds to reduce the prevalence
of diarrhea. Vaccination of the pregnant cows with a neonatal
calf diarrhea vaccine and proper colostrum administration may
help to reduce the prevalence of rotavirus.
Keywords: Calf scour, enteric pathogens, Turkey, preva-
lence.
ID-56
Scottish BVDV spot tests: Why do we get single animals
testing positive and what is their significance?
Helen Carty1, George Caldow2, Rachel O'Connor3.
1
SRUC Veterinary Services, Ayr, United Kingdom; 2SRUC Veterinary
Services, Edinburgh, United Kingdom; 3SRUC, Ayr, United Kingdom.
Objectives: Young stock spot tests are used to determine
if a herd has current evidence of exposure to bovine viral di-
arrhoea virus (BVDV). Serum samples from a representative
proportion of young stock are tested for the presence of anti-
bodies to BVDV. Within the Scottish eradication programme,
typically five animals per management group are tested. If
one animal in the group tests positive for antibodies to BVDV,
the herd is deemed to be "not-negative" for BVDV. Movement
restrictions are placed on herds that are "not-negative" for
BVDV. This study aims to determine the reasons for and sig-
nificance of single antibody positive results in Scotland over a
one year testing period.
Material & Methods: 4728 young stock spot tests from
Scottish herds were analysed for the presence of BVDV anti-
bodies by Scotland's Rural Colleges (SRUC) Veterinary Ser-
vices between 1st October 2017 and 30th September 2018.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
246
The spot tests were divided into one of three categories: (1) all
animals tested negative for antibodies to BVDV; (2) more than
20% of the animals tested positive for antibodies to BVDV or
(3) 20% or less of the animals tested positive for antibodies to
BVDV. The data and notes from the spot tests in the third cat-
egory were analysed to determine if there was a clear reason
for low numbers (usually a single animal in a group of five)
testing positive for antibodies to BVDV. Retest results, herd
status for that year's calf crop and the subsequent calf crop
were also assessed to determine the significance of these re-
sults.
Results: 4290 of the spot tests were in category 1, 209
were in category 2 and 229 were in category 3 (20% or less
of the animals tested positive for antibodies to BVDV). After
further data cleansing to remove inappropriate tests (those
that were originally booked in as spot tests but in fact were
tested for another reason), 216 spot tests in category 3 from
192 Scottish herds were used for this study. 40% of these spot
tests were identified as having avoidable reasons i.e. use of
vaccination, maternally derived antibody or incorrect calf test-
ed. Following review of herd information, and in some cases
retesting, 56% of the herds were assigned a "negative" status
for the year and 44% a "not-negative" status. The subsequent
calf crops from these herds were also tested, where applica-
ble, and following analysis of those results 80% had a "neg-
ative" status, 17% a "not-negative" status and 3% had been
declared as non-breeding herds. Animals persistently infected
with BVDV were identified in three herds, despite apparent
limited evidence of exposure to BVDV in the initial spot test. 
Conclusion: 5% of spot tests carried out in the study pe-
riod identified 20% or less of the tested animals as positive
for antibodies to BVDV. 40% of these however had a clear,
avoidable explanation. The results of this study can therefore
be used to give clearer, evidence based guidance to minimise
mistakes and misleading results with the spot test. The signif-
icance of these results on the herd status in the current and
subsequent calf crops can also inform future policy on whether
the cut-point for determining herd status should be changed.
Keywords: BVDV, eradication, testing, antibody.
ID-57
Bovine abortions in southern Belgium : 10 years of results
Delooz Laurent1, Gregoire Fabien1, Saulmont Marc1, Saegerman
Claude2.
ARSIA, Ciney, Belgium; 2ULiege FMV UREAR, Liège, Belgium.
1
Since 10 years in Belgium, a national surveillance pro-
gramme based on the compulsory reporting of abortions and
subsequent analyses on their products reached several ob-
jectives including official surveillance of bovine brucellosis but
also the monitoring of other bovine abortive diseases.
Some endemic, emerging or re-emerging pathogens could
be identified, including Brucella spp., Salmonella spp., Liste-
ria monocytogenes, Campylobacter spp., Coxiella burnetii,
Leptospira spp., Mycotic agents, Bovine viral diarrhoea virus,

Bovine herpesvirus 4, Bluetongue virus serotype 8, Schmal-
lenberg virus, Neospora caninum.
In the context of the Belgian passive surveillance pro-
gramme for bovine brucellosis, 46.967 bovine abortion’s cas-
es were collected from January 2010 to December 2019. They
are originated from 6894 cattle farms distributed among the
five Walloon provinces. In around 90% of cases, the fetus, the
maternal serum and the placenta are collected and analyzed.
These samples allowed a wide range of analyzes and an au-
topsy of the fetuses in the large majority of cases. In order to
maximize the etiological diagnosis rate, a standard and sys-
tematic analysis protocol has been implemented.
To determine the cause of abortion, it is necessary to iden-
tify an abortive pathogen or congenital lesions incompatible
with life. The etiologies of the abortions can be identified in ap-
proximately 30% of cases. In almost 20% of cases, an oppor-
tunistic pathogen is identified. This means that in 50% of the
cases, no cause of infectious abortion could be identified. In
order to improve the detection of abortive pathogens in herds
with outbreaks of abortions without diagnosed etiology using
conventional diagnostic methods (culture, PCR, etc.), the
use of 16S RNA sequencing provides a definite advantage.
Thanks to this new technology, several bacteria whose culture
is complex and for which systematic PCR analysis would be
too costly have been highlighted. Over 400 fetuses have been
analyzed and bacteria such as Ureaplasma diversum have
been diagnosed.
Standardizing the analysis protocol and improving it when
no cause can be identified makes it possible to obtain a high
rate of etiological diagnosis. The results obtained on more
than forty thousand abortion’s cases are an important source
of information for the epidemiology and the surveillance of an-
imal diseases in Belgium.
Keywords: Abortion, Cattle, Belgium, Diagnosis.
ID-58
Metagenomic sequencing of the respiratory virome in
beef-suckler weanlings diagnosed with bovine respiratory
disease
Kerrie Ní Dhufaigh1, Matthew McCabe1, Paul Cormican2, Inmaculada
Cuevas Gómez2, Mark McGee2, Tara McDaneld3, Bernadette Earley2.
1
Teagasc, Animal Bioscience Building, Grange, Republic of Ireland;
2
Teagasc, Animal Bioscience Building, Dunsany, Republic of Ireland;
3
U.S Meat Animal Research Center, Clay center, NE, United States.
Objectives: Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is a global
cause of morbidity and mortality of cattle placed in feedlots,
despite decades of development and application of vaccines
and antimicrobials. The study objective was to compare untar-
geted viral metagenomic sequencing (on the Oxford Nanopore
Technologies MinION and Illumina NovaSeq) and targeted
species specific qPCR for characterisation of the upper nasal
virome in clinically-diagnosed BRD and healthy beef-suckler
weanlings on the day of BRD detection (day-BRD).
Materials and Methods: One hundred and fifty-three
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Infectious Diseases
beef-sucker weanlings (209 days old [SD: 35.8] and 306 kg
[SD: 26.3]) were purchased through auction marts, trans-
ported by road, and housed indoors for the duration of the
study (Cuevas-Gómez et al., 2020). Weanlings were vacci-
nated 24 h after arrival against Clostridia and against three
known BRD-associated viruses (BoHV1, BRSV, BPI3) and
one BRD-associated bacteria M. haemolytica. Sterile flocked
swabs were inserted approximately 12 cm into the nasophar-
ynx of each calf and gently rotated on the day of BRD diagno-
sis. Thirty animals with BRD and 30 matched healthy control
animals were selected for virome sequencing. Viral nucleic
acid (protected by nuclease-resistant capsids) was enriched
by bead-beating and nuclease treatment. DNA and RNA was
extracted and purified using the Qiagen MinElute Virus Spin
kit. Double-stranded cDNA was generated then aliquoted and
stored at -80oC until required. One aliquot of double-strand-
ed cDNA was sent to a sequencing provider (CD genomics)
where quality of DNA was assessed by Qubit fluorometry and
agarose gel electrophoresis. Sequencing libraries were pre-
pared using VAHTS Universal Plus DNA Library Prep Kit for
Illumina (Vazyme). Sequencing was performed on an Illumina
NovaSeq PE150 (generating ~20 M read pairs or 6 Gb data).
A second aliquot of ds cDNA was used to generate barcoded
nanopore sequencing libraries using the Rapid PCR Barcod-
ing Kit (SQK-RPB004; Oxford Nanopore), which were pooled
and sequenced on R9.4.1 flowcells on a MinION Mk1C. A
positive control library and a negative PBS extraction control
library were included in all sequence runs for both sequencing
platforms. Data analysis and interpretation were performed via
an in-house pipeline. A One Step TaqMan™ Fast Virus 1-Step
Master Mix RT-PCR Kit was used to quantify BCoV and BRAV
on day-BRD in unenriched samples. qPCR data were tested
for normality using PROC UNIVARIATE of SAS (9.4), and an-
alysed using the PROC MIXED procedure.
Results: BRD naturally developed within the BRD cohort
as revealed by respiratory clinical scoring and thoracic ultraso-
nography (Cuevas-Gómez et al., 2020). The two sequencing
platforms had high concordance for detection of BRD-asso-
ciated virus species. The common BRD agents (BRSV,BPI3,
BoHV1) were detected at low levels on both platforms and we
postulate this is a result of vaccination. Using qPCR to target
two viruses (Cq cut-off point of ≤ 37), nasal swabs were posi-
tive for BCoV (mean healthy Cq = 22.24 ±6.97 vs. mean BRD
Cq = 20.07 ±7.07) in all 30 health and all 30 sick animals.
Nasal swabs from 22 healthy and 23 BRD animals were pos-
itive for BRAV (healthy Cq = 14.58 ±3.29 vs. BRD Cq = 10.5
±3.24). There was no difference (P > 0.05) in mean Cq values
between healthy vs. BRD for BCoV.
Conclusion: A diverse and complex virome was found in
BRD and healthy beef-suckler weanlings on the day of BRD
clinical detection. Both Illumina and Oxford Nanopore se-
quencing platforms are capable of characterising the metage-
nomes found in BRD animals, whilst the latter offers potential
application to pen-side diagnostics due to its portability and
the ability to identify viruses from nasal swabs within 6-24
hours. Two viruses were selected for RT qPCR based on high
read abundance (BCoV and BRAV). However, statistical differ-
ences in virus quantity or virus prevalence were not observed
between nasal swabs from healthy and BRD. This suggests
that healthy animals were asymptomatic carriers of BCoV and
BRAV.
247
ORAL — Infectious Diseases
Keywords: Bovine respiratory disease, nanopore se-
quencing, Illumina NovaSeq, viral metagenomics.
ID-59
Comparison of sampling and diagnostic techniques for
recovery of Mannheimia haemolytica from feedlot cattle
William B. Crosby1, Lee J. Pinnell2, John T. Richeson3, Cory Wolfe2,
Jake Castle2, John Dustin Loy4, Sheyl P. Gow5, Keun Seok Seo6, Sarah
F. Capik7, Amelia R. Woolums1, Paul S. Morley2.
1
Missippi State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department
of Pathobiology and Population Medicine, United States; 2Texas A&M
University, Veterinary Education, Research, and Outreach (VERO)
Program, United States; 3West Texas A&M University, Department of
Agricultural Sciences, United States; 4University of Nebraska-Lincoln,
Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center, United States; 5Western College
of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences,
Canada; 6Missippi State University, College of Veterinary Medicine,
Department of Comparative Biological Sciences, United States; 7Texas
A&M AgriLife Research, Amarillo, United States.
Objective: Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is caused
by interactions among the host, environment, and pathogens.
The current standard for antemortem pathogen identification
in cattle with BRD is deep-guarded nasopharyngeal swabbing,
which is challenging, costly, and waste generating. The study
objective was to compare recovery of Mannheimia haemolyt-
ica  via culture and real time-qPCR, and to characterize mi-
crobial community structure by 16S rRNA gene sequencing,
using 75-cm deep-guarded nasopharyngeal swabs (DG), 41-
cm unguarded proctology swabs (PS), or 15-cm unguarded
nasal swabs (NS).
Materials and Methods: Samples were collected from
beef steers and bulls (n=120, mean weight=262.2 ± 12.5 kg)
14 days after arrival at a feedlot after purchase from an auc-
tion market. One nostril was sampled with each swab type for
bacterial culture, identification, and antimicrobial susceptibility
testing by broth microdilution. The other nostril was sampled
for DNA extraction for 16S rRNA gene sequencing and qPCR
for the M. haemolytica leukotoxin D gene (lktD).
Results: There was high concordance among swab types
for M. haemolytica culture and qPCR (complete concordance
for 77% and 81% of animals across all 3 swab types for culture
and qPCR, respectively). Microbial communities were highly
similar among samples collected with different swabs types,
and differences identified relative to treatment for BRD were
also similar; however, sampling with NS was less effective in
characterizing changes within less abundant phyla than sam-
pling with DG or PS. Positive qPCR results for M. haemolyt-
ica  were highly concordant across swab types (81% agreed
completely), but samples collected by DG had higher Ct val-
ues (Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance on ranks,  P  < 0.05;
Dunn-test for pairwise comparison with Benjamini-Hochberg
correction,  P  < 0.05) and lower frequency of positive com-
pared to NS and PS (McNemar’s Chi-square test, P <0.05).
Conclusions: Though slight differences existed among
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
248
results for different swab types within individual cattle, nasal
swabs and proctology swabs yielded comparable results to
deep-guarded nasopharyngeal swabs when identifying and
characterizing M. haemolytica by culture and qPCR, and when
characterizing the microbial community.
Keywords: Bovine respiratory disease, 16S rRNA gene
sequencing, antimicrobial resistance, metagenomics, qPCR.
ID-60
Evaluation using latent class models of the diagnostic
performances of three ELISA tests commercialized for
the serological diagnosis of Coxiella burnetii infection in
domestic ruminants
Thibaut Lurier1, Elodie Rousset2, Patrick Gasqui3, Carole Sala4,
Clément Claustre3, David Abrial3, Philippe Dufour2, Renée De
Crémoux5, Kristel Gache6, Marie Laure Delignette-Muller7, Florence
Ayral8, Elsa Jourdain3.
1
Université de Lyon, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR EPIA, Marcy l'étoile,
France; 2ANSES, Sophia Antipolis Laboratory, Animal Q fever Unit,
Sophia Antipolis, France; 3Université Clermont Auvergne, INRAE,
VetAgro Sup, UMR EPIA, Saint-Genès-Champanelle, France; 4University
of Lyon-ANSES Lyon, Epidemiology and Support to Surveillance Unit,
French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health &
Safety (ANSES), Lyon, France; 5French Livestock Institute, Ruminant
Health Management Joint Unit, Paris, France; 6GDS France (National
Animal Health Farmers’ Organization), Paris, France; 7Université de
Lyon, Université Lyon 1, VetAgro Sup, CNRS, UMR 5558, Laboratoire
de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, Villeurbanne, France; 8Université
de Lyon, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, Usc 1233 UR RS2GP, Marcy l'étoile,
France.
Q fever is a worldwide zoonotic disease mainly responsi-
ble for reproductive disorders such as abortion in domestic ru-
minants. ELISA methods are the diagnostic tools recommend-
ed for the serological diagnosis of Coxiella burnetii infection
in ruminants but their respective diagnostic performances are
difficult to assess because of the absence of a gold standard.
Objectives: This study focused on three commercial ELI-
SA tests with the following objectives (1) assess their sensi-
tivity and specificity in sheep, goats and cattle, (2) assess the
between- and within-herd seroprevalence distribution in these
species, accounting for diagnostic errors, and (3) estimate
optimal sample sizes considering sensitivity and specificity at
herd level.
Materials and methods: We comparatively tested 1,413
cattle, 1,474 goat and 1,432 sheep serum samples collected
in France. We analyzed the cross-classified test results with
a hierarchical zero-inflated beta-binomial latent class model
considering each herd as a population and conditional depen-
dence as a fixed effect. Potential biases and coverage proba-
bilities of the model were assessed by simulation.
Results: Conditional dependence for truly seropositive
animals was high in all species for two of the three ELISA
methods. Specificity estimates were high, ranging from 94.8%
[92.1;97.8] to 99.2% [98.5;99.7], whereas sensitivity estimates

were generally low, ranging from 39.3 [30.7;47.0] to 90.5%
[83.3;93.8]. Between- and within-herd seroprevalence es-
timates varied greatly among geographic areas and herds.
Overall, goats showed higher within-herd seroprevalence lev-
els than sheep and cattle. The optimal sample size maximizing
both herd sensitivity and herd specificity varied from 3 to at
least 20 animals depending on the test and ruminant species.
Conclusion: This study provides better interpretation of
three widely used commercial ELISA tests and will make it
possible to optimize their implementation in future studies.
Keywords: Q fever, Bayesian, diagnostic accuracy, herd
sensitivity, conditional dependence.
ID-61
Sheep associated malignant catarrhal fever (SA-MCF): a
series of cases on three farms in the UK
Joseph Angell , Eleanor Bentley , Hayley Crosby-Durrani , Rachel
1 2 2
Hall1, James Stewart2.
1
Wern Vets CYF, Ruthin, United Kingdom; 2The University of Liverpool,
Liverpool, United Kingdom.
Introduction and background: Malignant catarrhal fever
(MCF) is caused by herpes viruses of the  Macavirus  genus
and disease is observed worldwide. In the UK, the sheep as-
sociated form of the disease (SA-MCF) caused by ovine her-
pes virus-2 (OvHV-2) appears most commonly affecting many
species including cattle. Clinical signs vary but are associ-
ated with a  variably distributed systemic lymphoproliferative
non-suppurative vasculitis and commonly include scleral con-
gestion, keratitis and corneal oedema (which is often consid-
ered pathognomonic) together with pyrexia, depression and
anorexia resulting in a loss of condition.
The aim of this project was to study naturally occurring
clinical outbreaks in the UK in order to better inform farmers
and veterinarians.
Objectives:
Objective 1: document the natural history of SA-MCF in
naturally occurring outbreaks.
Objective 2: where possible identify sources of infection
that could be addressed through specific and tailored on-farm
advice.
Materials and Methods: Three farms were identified
through a single veterinary practice in Wales, UK.
Clinical examinations of clinical cases were made, togeth-
er with post-mortem examinations where possible. The pres-
ence of OvHV-2 was identified by qPCR on blood and tissue
samples. A diagnosis of SA-MCF was made on the basis of
clinical signs together with virus detection, and, where possi-
ble, histopathology carried out by a board-certified veterinary
pathologist demonstrating a lymphoproliferative vasculitis.
On two farms (1 and 2) blood samples were obtained from
asymptomatic in-contact cattle and subject to qPCR for OvHV-
2 to determine the presence of asymptomatic cases.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Infectious Diseases
On one farm (farm 2) blood and nasal swab samples were
obtained from a random sample of asymptomatic sheep and
also subject to qPCR for OvHV-2 to determine the likelihood of
the sheep being the source of the infection.
Treatments of live clinical cases were empirical and includ-
ed antibiotics and steroids or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs (NSAIDs).
Results:
Farm 1
A group of 30 non-lactating dairy cattle were relocated to
a field adjacent to a group of grazing store lambs. Commenc-
ing within 24 hours, and over a 12-day period, three animals
demonstrated acute clinical signs with OvHV-2 detected in
two. Two of the three animals affected died with one making
a gradual recovery with virus still detectable one month later.
Additionally, OvHV-2 was also detected in one asymptomatic
animal from the same group.
Farm 2
A group of 14 store crossbred heifers were housed in
an open sided shed directly opposite a group of 50 lambing
Welsh mule ewes housed in a similar open sided shed, 5m
away. A single heifer became unwell. Clinical signs included:
reduced appetite, pyrexia, corneal oedema, nasal discharge,
a generalised fine motor tremor, hindlimb ataxia and signs of
colic. Despite treatment, she deteriorated rapidly resulting in
generalised seizures, whereupon she was euthanised.
An immediate on-farm postmortem was carried out with a
focal, extensive, ulcerative haemorrhagic and catarrhal rhinitis
observed in addition to the pathology already observed. Vary-
ing degrees of lymphoproliferative/nonsuppurative vasculitis
were observed in multiple organs.
OvHV-2 was detected in the clinical case, three of the in
contact asymptomatic cattle, 7/10 blood samples from the
sheep and 10/10 nasal swab samples from the sheep.
Farm 3
A single bulling Stabiliser heifer was observed to be unwell
with no immediate contact with sheep. She developed clinical
signs including: increased lacrimation, conjunctivitis, corneal
oedema, cough, nasal discharge, ulcerated muzzle, pyrexia,
and a hyperkeratotic dermatitis. She gradually deteriorated
despite treatment and was euthanised 50 days later. An im-
mediate on-farm postmortem revealed multiple pathologies
throughout the carcass with a lymphoplasmacytic vasculitis
observed in several organs.
Conclusions: A detailed clinical history, clinical examina-
tion, together with virus detection and postmortem examina-
tion are useful for diagnosing SA-MCF on cattle farms.
A clear link to a specific reservoir host may help clinicians
implement appropriate mitigation of further infections by mov-
ing the cattle as far away from the reservoir host as soon as
possible.
Recovery from MCF in cattle is possible, but rare, and may
be related to the amount of virus challenge.
Subclinical infection in cattle is possible and may result in
latently infected cattle.
Keywords: Malignant catarrhal fever, MCF, sheep, cattle,
herpes virus.
249
ORAL — Infectious Diseases
ID-63
A parainfluenza 3 virus outbreak on a Dutch Veal Farm
Henk Kuijk1, Herman Kleinjan2, Ruben Tolboom1, Geert Vertenten1.
MSD Animal Health, Boxmeer, Netherlands; 2Dierenkliniek Den
1
Ham, Den Ham, Netherlands.
Objectives: Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) is a mul-
tifactorial disease that can affect cattle of all ages but is pre-
dominantly seen in young cattle. Affected animals are high-
ly infectious and shed large quantities of virus and bacteria
through nasal discharge. The BRD pathogens are endemic in
the Dutch cattle population. Calves may have serological an-
tibodies in the absence of clinical disease. These antibodies
may come from passive protection (e.g. colostrum) or as an
active response to field infection or vaccination. A serological
screening of healthy animals for several BRD antibodies, may
give more clarity on the importance of these pathogens, as
well as an indication to which level antibodies may have an
influence on primovaccination. The latter may help to develop
an adapted vaccination schedule against respiratory disease.
In this field study, antibody titers against the BRD patho-
gens Parainfluenza 3 virus (PI3), Bovine Respiratory Syncy-
tial Virus (BRSV), Mannheimia haemolytica and Mycoplasma
bovis were determined in healthy calves on a Dutch rosé veal
farm without major BRD problems. No vaccinations against
BRD pathogens were performed on farm. The objective of the
study was to determine major infectious risk factors for BRD.
Materials and Methods: Eleven randomly selected calves
were blood sampled every 4 weeks from arrival (February 19th,
2019) until week 24 after arrival (August 30th 2019). The elev-
en sampled calves were situated in a group of 220 animals.
This group changed housing once in week 9 after arrival and
was always separately housed from other groups on the farm.
The group received 3 times an antibiotic treatment for 5 days
starting from February 21st, March 4th and March 19th with re-
spectively doxycycline, tilmicosin and doxycycline. All animals
were monitored by the farmer and veterinarian as usual on this
commercial veal farm.
All the collected samples were analysed at the Centre
for Diagnostic Solutions (MSD Animal Health, Boxmeer, The
Netherlands) by ELISA for antibodies against Mannheimia
haemolytica, BRSV, PI3 and Mycoplasma bovis. An in-house
test was used to measure Mannheimia haemolytica and BRSV
antibodies, whereas for PI3 and Mycoplasma bovis a commer-
ical kit was used from respectively IDEXX and Bio-X.
Results: Antibodies against all 4 pathogens were present
in the selected samples. All the samples (each calf and each
time point) were positive for Mannheimia haemolytica antibod-
ies. The average titers for Mannheimia haemolytica increased
over time to very high levels at week 20. Most of the samples
(91%) were positive for PI3 antibodies. The average titers de-
creased gradually over time which may reflect the reduction
of colostral antibodies over time. The majority of samples
(97%) were positive for BRSV antibodies, however most of
the BRSV titers (80%) were very low. The average titers also
gradually decreased which clearly reflected the reduction of
colostral antibodies over time. Only 1 animal was positive for
Mycoplasma bovis antibodies at arrival. However, at a later
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
250
stage, each animal was at least once positive for Mycoplasma
bovis antibodies with variable titers. This could mean that the
passive protection at arrival was very low and that animals get
infected with Mycoplasma bovis over time gradually.
A surprising event at this well managed farm without major
BRD problems was a BRD outbreak at week 21 after arriv-
al. The animals were treated for 5 days with chlortetracycline.
This outbreak was clearly reflected in the analyzed samples,
as titers for PI3 antibodies increased exponentially at week 24
compared to week 20. This confirms PI3 infection as etiology
for a BRD outbreak.
Although on this farm BRD complications and potential
losses due to the PI3 outbreak could be avoided by antibiotic
treatment, the serological analyses convinced the veterinary
practitioner and farmer about the important role of PI3 in the
BRD complex.
Conclusion: Serological analyses for BRD pathogens on
veal farms are essential to understand the infectious pressure
and design an appropriate BRD management program in-
cluding vaccination. Vaccination against PI3 virus could have
reduced the complications and potential losses of a BRD out-
break and improved the wellbeing of the animals on this farm.
Keywords: Bovine Respiratory Disease, Parainfluenza 3,
veal, Netherlands.
ID-64
Effects of vaccination programs on Map faecal shedding
and serological response in eight French dairy herds
Corbiere Fabien1, Cournet Julie2, Tasca Christian1, Dubaux Emma3,
Foures Laurent3, Foucras Gilles2.
1
UMR INRAa-ENVT IHAP, Toulouse, France; 2UMR INRAe-ENVT
IHAP, Toulouse, France; 3GDS Meuse, Verdun, France.
Objectives: The main objective of this study was to eval-
uate the effects of Silirum® based vaccination programs on
Map faecal shedding and serological status in French dairy
herds infected with paratuberculosis. We also intended to
evaluate the effect of age at vaccination on faecal shedding
and serological status.
Materials and methods: The serological status (ELISA)
and faecal shedding (qPCR) of 4- to 5-year-old vaccinated
cows (n=237) were assessed every six months over a two-
year period in 8 infected herds in the Meuse department,
France. Within each herd, cows from the last non-vaccinated
birth cohort (n= 249) were used as controls using the same
sampling scheme. The probability of Map faecal shedding and
the level of Map shed were modelled using mixed general
linear regression models with herd and cow random effects,
adjusting for age at sampling, days in milk within the lactation
and vaccination status. The effect of age at vaccination was
similarly investigated in the subset of vaccinated cows.
Results: In vaccinated cows the median age at vacci-
nation was 5.7 months (interquartile range: 3.3-7.9 months).
Only 36.3% of the vaccinated cows were positive on serum

ELISA, with cows vaccinated before the age of 6 months yield-
ing significantly fewer positive results. Overall, 42.6% of vac-
cinated and 28.11% of non-vaccinated cows were positive on
faecal qPCR, with strong differences between herds. Howev-
er, only 5.2% of non-vaccinated and 6.7% of vaccinated cows
shed more than 100 Map per gram of faeces. The probabil-
ity of Map shedding (p=0.772) and the amount of Map shed
(p=0.955) were not significantly different between seropositive
and seronegative vaccinated cows and no effect of age at
vaccination could be evidenced. Compared to non-vaccinated
seropositive cows, vaccinated cows were at lower risk to shed
Map in the faeces (Odd’s Ratio = 0.40, 95 % confidence inter-
val: 0.13 – 0.89, p=0.0234) and in lower amount (p<10-5). No
difference was however evidenced between vaccinated cows
and non-vaccinated seronegative ones, neither regarding
the shedding probability (p=0.103) nor the shedding amount
(p=0.410).
Conclusion: Based on these preliminary results, we con-
clude that the beneficial effects of vaccination on Map faecal
shedding may be limited in the investigated herds. Moreover,
the variability of serum ELISA response in vaccinated cows
remains to be investigated.
Keywords: Paratuberculosis, vaccination, Map Shedding,
serology.
ID-65
How the United Kingdom created a commercially driven
National Johne's Management Plan with 95% dairy farmer
participation in 10 years
Pete Orpin1, Richard Sibley2.
Myhealthyherd, Hallaton, United Kingdom; Westridge Veterinary
1 2
Group, Witheridge, United Kingdom.
Objectives: In 2009 a National Johne's engagement plan
was developed with the support of milk processors, laborato-
ries, database providers, farming and veterinary groups. The
initial objectives were to create an inclusive Johne's manage-
ment plan which would be widely adopted by all dairy farm-
ers in the UK. Farmers would have to be fully engaged for a
minimum of 10 years to achieve effective control. To achieve
this objective the Rules of the program would develop over
time and by driven by industry and farmer demand. Creating
common messages and managing peoples' beliefs, prior con-
ceptions and increasing the importance of control were ma-
jor focus points. The plan would be fully commercial with the
farmer paying for advice and tests. Processors and vets would
encourage participation.
By December 2020 it is anticipated that 95% of the UK
Dairy Farmers will have completed a risk assessment, surveil-
lance and have installed a JD control plan utilising an accred-
ited vet.
Materials and Methods: The UK National Johne's Man-
agement Program evolved over a 10 year period. The initial
first 5 years centred on synchronous education of farmers,
vets and wider industry on the importance and benefits of
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
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control. Dairy UK (milk processor representative body) helped
encourage milk processor to commit resources to help fund
farmer education. A trained group of vets delivered extensive
training across the UK ( > 300 farmer meetings) and further
farmer awareness was created through provision of training
resources for private veterinarians to use in their own practic-
es. The model was based on the RESET model ( Rule, Edu-
cation, Social Norms, Economics and Tools) with the greatest
emphasis on Education, Economics and Social Norms in the
early years.
Milk processors and retailers define the priorities for UK
Dairy farmers as part of their contractual arrangements. A co-
hesive national plan (NJMP) for Johne's Disease (JD) control
was developed in 2015 which with the objective of JD reduc-
tion in the UK. Processors encouraged their farmers to comply
with the planning process.
The flexible framework for JD control was established
allowing farmers to choose one of 6 potential control strate-
gies using advice from an accredited JD vet. Less than 10%
could adopt a strict biosecurity and monitor strategy. The most
common strategies included improved farm management and
testing. Firebreak vaccination is not commonly adopted due
to complications with JD surveillance and Bovine TB testing.
Fig.1. Summary of chosen JD control strategies in 2019
Strategy %
Biosecurity Protect and Monitor 9.3
Improved Farm Management 4.0
Improved Farm Management and Strategic Testing 50.0
Improved Farm Management with Test and Cull 29.0
Breed to Terminal Sire 7.4
Firebreak Vaccination 0.3
The success has been achieved through focusing on cre-
ating practical JD plans that match the need of the farmer and
create commercial consultancy opportunities for the private
vet.
The funding of the program has been minimal and has uti-
lised stakeholder resources and commercial drivers for suc-
cess. The farmer pays for all advice provided.
Results: 22 milk processors with an estimated 80% of
GB milk volume engaged with NJMP. By October 2018, 6084
farmers were compliant with the NJMP. Declared strategies
from 2923 farmers were improved farm management (IFM)
and strategic testing (50%), IFM and test and cull (28%), bios-
ecurity protect and monitor (10%), breed to terminal sire (7%)
IFM alone (5%) and vaccination (0.3%). Data on strategies
was not collated from 3161 farmers as two larger processors
used their own software to collate participation.
Over 1100 vets have been accredited to deliver the JD plan
through an online training portal provided by the British Cattle
Veterinary Association.
In October 2019 the NJMP became a national farm as-
surance standard for all dairy farms supplying farm assured
milk. All farms will have to undertake a risk assessment, have
a compliant control plan and undertaken surveillance to track
progress using the skills of an Accredited Johne's Veterinari-
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ORAL — Infectious Diseases
an. 95% of UK dairy farmers will be compliant with the NJMP
by 2020.
Conclusion: Milk processor and Retailer influence creat-
ed drivers for engagement. The development of a practical,
flexible and commercial approach to JD control, which appeals
to all, is central to the success of the NJMP.
Keywords: Johne's, Paratuberculosis, MAP, Dairy.
ID-66
Effects of a CDK9 inhibitor RKP00156 on bovine papilloma
Tomas J. Acosta , Hiroshi Onogi .
1 2
Obihiro University, Obihiro, Japan; 2KinoPharma Inc., Tokyo, Japan.
1 respiratory disease from 2015 to 2019
Bovine papilloma virus (BPV) induces diseases of consid-
erable veterinary importance in cattle and other ruminants.
BPV infects the skin from wounds such as puncture scratch-
es by bloodsucking insects. Papilloma grows as tumor at the
site of infection, papilloma located on the teats and udder skin
are often observed and it is associated with mastitis in dairy
cows.  Several genotypes of BPV was recently divided into
three genera, Delta, Xi, and Epsilon. It is difficult to identify the
virus type based on the gross characteristics of tumor located
on skin. In most cases, animals are co-infected by multiple
genotypes.  An efficient treatment method for papilloma has
not been established. Recently, a cyclin-dependent kinase 9
(CDK9) inhibitor RKP00156 that inhibit host enzymes used by
the virus, was shown to be effective against a wide range of
viruses in vitro and cold be used as an antiviral drug. The pur-
pose of this study was to examine the effect of RKP00156 on
papilloma and BPV expression in cattle.
Ten Holstein heifers (16 to 20 months), infected with pap-
illoma virus were used in the present study. The left anteri-
or teat of each animal was assigned to treatment group (T
group) and the right anterior teat was used as control group (C
group). RKP00156 (3%) ointment was topically applied to the
teat (T group) and Vaseline ointment (vehicle) was applied to
C group once a day for 2 months. Before each application, pic-
tures of each teat was taken to evaluate the changes in the tu-
mor size and the fate of tumors at fourth week (W4) and eight
week (W8) after the start of treatment (W0), tumors samples
were also collected for PCR analysis after DNA extraction.
Genotype identification and virus expressions were evaluated
on W4 and W8 in tissue samples. The changes in size and
fate of papilloma was evaluated from the pictures, and the tu-
mors were classified in three categories (improved; decreased
in size or disappeared, no change; kept the same size, and
worse; increased in size or appeared during the experiment).
The differences in the size and fate of tumors between treat-
ment and control groups were compared and analyzed by
Fisher's exact test.
On W4, the improved rate of papilloma was higher and
the worse rate was lower in T group than in C group (P <0.1).
Furthermore, on W8, the improved rate of T group further
increased and the worse rate decreased. PCR analysis per-
formed on W4 revealed that Delta and Xi types of BPV were
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
252
expressed in the same number of teats in both groups, how-
ever, on W8, the number of teats expressing Delta and Xi de-
creased significantly compared with that of controls. These re-
sults indicate that administration of CDK 9 inhibitor RKP00156
ameliorated papilloma formation and reduced BPV expres-
sion, suggesting that RKP00156 has a good potential to be
used as antiviral agent for papilloma treatment in cattle.
Keywords: Papillomatosis, bovine papilloma virus, CDK9
inhibitor.
ID-67
Seroprevalence of mycoplasma bovis in outbreaks of bovine
Tim Potter1, Carolyn Hogan2.
1
Westpoint Farm Vets, Horsham, United Kingdom; 2Zoetis UK Ltd,
Leatherhead, United Kingdom.
Objectives: In the UK Veterinary Investigation Diagnosis
Analysis (VIDA) data there has been a steady increase in the
percentage of diagnosable submissions being attributed to
Mycoplasma bovis. In the period from January 2006 to De-
cember 2017 there were 1102 diagnoses of M.bovis associat-
ed with respiratory disease, mastitis and arthritis. Of these di-
agnoses 86.4% were associated with respiratory disease. As
part of a UK wide scheme to support investigation of bovine
respiratory diease outbreaks serological testing of affected
groups was undertaken to gain a understanding of the role of
M.bovis in the disease outbreaks and raise awareness of it as
a respiratory pathogen.
Materials & Methods: As part of a subsidised surveillance
scheme, blood samples were submitted for serological test-
ing from outbreaks of bovine respiratory disease across the
UK. The submitting veterinarian was able to choose from a
screening panel of potential respiratory pathogens (Infectious
Bovine Rhinotrachietis, Bovine Respiratory Syncitial Virus,
Parainfluenza-3, Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus and M.bovis).
This abstract reports the findings from the samples screened
for M.bovis. Blood samples were analysed for M.bovis anti-
bodies using a commercial ELISA kit.
Results: Over the course of 5 years a total of 14451 sam-
ples were tested from across the UK. Mycoplasma bovis se-
rology results are presented from samples submitted between
2015 and 2019 and summarised in table 1.
Year Number of samples Percentage of samples positive
tested for M.bovis
2015 2460 50%
2016 3354 51%
2017 3351 48%
2018 2918 39%
2019 2368 41%
Table 1: Percentage of samples testing positive for M.bovis by year

Conclusion: The results highlight the importance of M.bo-
vis as a potential respiratory pathogen on UK farms. It is im-
portant that farmers and veterinary surgeons are aware of the
impact of the disease and are able to identify it's clinical pre-
sentations rapidly. The management of M.bovis on farm can
present significant challenges. For farms that are unaffected
the emphasis should be on preventing introduction through
good biosecurity and stringent controls on purchasing stock.
For herds where mycoplasma is already present steps should
be taken to minimise spread and reduce the impact of the
disease. The absence of accurate prevalence figures makes
economic analysis difficult, although it is clear that the costs
of mycoplasma disease include reduced production, drugs
and labour for treatment, death and culling losses as well as
the financial impacts of implementation of diagnostic and con-
trol measures. Because M.bovis‐associated disease tends to
be chronic, costs per case are typically high relative to other
pathogens. In addition to the financial costs, M.bovis can con-
tribute significantly to antimicrobial usage on farm.
Keywords: Mycoplasma, Pneumonia, BRD, Calves, Se-
rology.
ID-68
Neurological signs in lambs as indication for BVDV
circulation in a cattle young stock rearing herd
Betsie Krattley1, Tine Van Werven2, Mirjam Nielen2, Frank Van Der
Meer3.
1
ULP Harmelen, Harmelen, Netherlands; 2Department Population
Health Sciences, Farm Animal Health, Utrecht University, Utrecht,
Netherlands; 3Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ecosystem and Public
Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.
Objectives: Twin lambs, born on a farm where young
stock and sheep were raised together in the same barn, pre-
sented with neurological signs. The clinical signs resembled
a border disease virus (BDV) infection without the previously
described coat abnormalities. As BDV could not be ruled out,
samples were sent for diagnostic testing and subsequent se-
quence comparison to identify potential infection with sheep or
cattle pestiviruses.
Materials and methods: Both lambs were sampled and
screened for bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) using an
antigen ELISA. Also the young stock rearing herd, consist-
ing of 2 adult cows, 26 heifers and 18 calves, were tested for
both BVDV antibody and antigen using an ELISA. One PI calf
was identified. The serum samples of both lambs and the PI
calf were subsequently subjected to a 5'UTR RT-PCR. The
PCR products were cloned in a pGEM-T easy vector and se-
quenced.
Results: The 5′UTR polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
confirmed that both lambs and one calf were infected with a
BVDV 1b strain. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that all BVDV
(bovine and ovine derived) were type 1b. Additional analysis
of the E2 and NS5b regions of the genome revealed a ∼100%
sequence identity for 5′UTR, E2, and NS5b.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Infectious Diseases
Conclusion: Viral transmission from a PI calf to the sheep
dam during pregnancy was considered the most likely route of
infection. This case demonstrates that sheep can be infected
with BVDV. Neurological signs and other health problems in
sheep could indicate a BVDV infection in both sheep and cat-
tle when reared in close contact.
Note: for a presentation supporting information is available:
1. A figure of the pylogenetic tree of the E1/E2 region
of the type 1b BVDV viruses derived from both lambs
and the calf with reference strains (GenBank refer-
ence).
2. A video of the 1-day old lambs with BVDV type 1b
showing neurological signs.
Keywords: Bovine viral diarrhoea virus, BVDV, dairy cat-
tle, sheep.
ID-69
Evaluating factors affecting recovery of Mannheimia
haemolytica and Pasteurella multocida
Adriana Marcela Garzon, Alejandro Hoyos Jaramillo, Stephanie
Hustad, Barbara A. Byrne, Heather M. Fritz, Richard Pereira.
University of California, Davis, Davis, California, United States.
Microbiological diagnosis is an important step in controlling
and preventing bovine respiratory disease (BRD). Moreover,
adequate transport storage type, elapsed time, and storage
temperature before laboratory submission are critical for opti-
mal results. The objective was to evaluate the effect of trans-
port storage media, time, and storage temperature on Mann-
heimia haemolytica (MH) and Pasteurella multocida (PM) yield
using an in-vitro model simulation. Semi-quantitative (quad-
rant method) and quantitative culture methods using colony
forming units per ml (CFU/ml) were used to recover MH or PM
using an in-vitro model with swabs. In both approaches, sam-
ples were grown in 5% sheep blood agar plates. In each trial,
a sterile PBS solution was inoculated with MH or PM, achiev-
ing 0.5 McFarland using OD600 between 0.08-0.1. A total of 58
sterile cotton swabs were inoculated in a culture solution with
MH or PM and placed in either: 1) sterile falcon tube (DRY);
2) Aimes culture media with charcoal (ACM); or 3) Cary-Blair
transport Agar (CBA). Swabs were evaluated for recovery of
MH or PM at three temperatures: 4, 23, and 36°C; and as-
sessed at four-time points 0 (baseline), 8, 24, and 48 hrs. A
multivariate mixed model was fitted to analyze the data using
lme4 and lmerTest packages of R. When normality was not
rejected, the dependent variable was the CFU/ml. The inde-
pendent variables were storage media (DRY, ACM, and CBA),
time points (8, 24, and 48 hrs), and the interaction between
storage media and time points. Each swab was considered as
an independent measure. When the normality was rejected,
the non-parametric Dunn all pairs approach was used to com-
pare CFU/ml between storage media, with one model created
for each temperature and time point combination. The CFU/
ml recovery of PM on samples stored at 4◦C was lower for
ACM when compared to DRY at 8 hrs (P = 0.05) but higher
253
ORAL — Infectious Diseases

at 48 hrs (P < 0.01). For samples stored at 23◦C, ACM had a

higher CFU/ml recovery than DRY at 24 hrs (P < 0.01), and
at 48 hrs, ACM and CBA were higher than DRY (P < 0.01). At
all-time points, samples stored at 36◦C had a higher CFU/ml
recovery in ACM and CBA than DRY (P = 0.02). The CFU/ml
recovery of MH on samples stored at 4◦C was higher for ACM
and CBA than DRY at time points 24 (P < 0.01) and 48 (P <
0.01). Samples stored at 36◦C had a higher CFU/ml recovery
for ACM and CBA than DRY at time point 24 (P < 0.01). These
results support the value of ACM and CBA for the recovery of
PM and MH isolates, especially if samples were not refrigerat-
ed properly. Also, the combination of longer elapsed time and
higher temperatures can impair diagnostic accuracy.
Keywords: Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multoci-
da, transport media, bovine respiratory disease.

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254

IM-01
Association of barn air quality parameters and lung
consolidation, airway inflammation and infection in
group-housed calves
Katharina Van Leenen1, Jonathan Jouret2, Peter Demeyer3, Laura Van
Driessche1, Lieze De Cremer1, Christina Masmeijer1, Filip Boyen1,
Piet Deprez1, Bart Pardon1.
1
Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium; 2Belgian Center for
Occupational Hygiene, Zwijnaarde, Belgium; 3Flanders Research
Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Respiratory disease remains an important cause of mor-
bidity and mortality in calves and is associated with substan-
tial antimicrobial consumption. Reduction of antimicrobial use
is demanded to fight increasing antimicrobial resistance. This
reduction can be achieved by improved diagnostics, prudent
antimicrobial use and disease prevention. Assuring a healthy
environment with adequate air quality in calf barns is a preven-
tive measure of major importance. However, which air quality
parameters are exactly associated with (sub)clinical pneumo-
nia or airway inflammation in calves is basically unknown.
A cross-sectional study was performed to explore the as-
sociations of air quality parameters with lung consolidation,
pulmonary inflammation and infection in group-housed calves.
Sixty beef and dairy herds were visited from January – April
2017 and a total of 428 indoor group-housed calves was sam-
pled. To assess barn air quality the following measurements
were performed at calf breathing level: continuous 24-hour
measurements of ammonia concentration, relative humidity
and temperature and punctual measurements of air velocity,
ammonia and CO2. Clinical examination, thoracic ultrasound
and broncho-alveolar lavage for bacteriological and cytologi-
cal analysis of broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALf) was per-
formed. Data was analysed using multivariable mixed models
and cluster analysis.
Barn temperatures showed the expected diurnal varia-
tion with an average of 14.2°C (standard deviation (SD) 4.4,
range 5.5 – 23.9). Average relative humidity was 68.8% (SD
8.9, range 52.2 – 91.6). Ammonia concentrations were low
with an average 24-hour concentration of 1.7 ppm (SD 0.9,
range 0 – 4.0). Air velocity was variable, ranging from 0 – 2.0
m/s. This parameter was analysed as binary variable based
on the optimal maximum air velocity cut-off value to detect a
lung consolidation of ≥1 cm in depth, which was 0.8 m/s. Lung
consolidations of ≥1 cm, ≥3 cm and ≥6 cm in depth were pres-
ent in 41.1% (176/428), 27.1% (116/428) and 16.1% (69/428)
of the calves, respectively. Lung consolidations of all depths
were positively associated with mean or maximum tempera-
ture. Ammonia exposure, in hours ≥4 ppm, was associated
with lung consolidation ≥1 cm (odds ratio (OR) = 1.73; con-
fidence interval (CI) = 1.02 – 3.07; P = 0.04). The epithelial
cell percentage in BALf was also positively associated with
ammonia concentration (P = 0.01). The odds of lung consol-
idation ≥3 cm (OR = 7.7; CI = 1.35 – 41.7; P = 0.02) and ≥6
cm (OR = 25.0; CI = 2.5 – 33.3; P = 0.007) increased with air
velocity >0.8 m/s.
Cluster analysis, based on average pen temperature and
relative humidity, maximal air velocity, NH3 and CO2 concen-
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Internal Medicine and Toxicology
tration and bacterial air load, resulted in four different barn
climate clusters. Cluster 1 was characterised by a warm and
dry climate with ammonia accumulation (n = 19). Cluster 2
represented under-ventilated barns with accumulation of air
pollutants (NH3, CO2) and high bacterial air load (n = 8). Clus-
ter 3 was labelled as a presumably normal climate based on
low concentrations of air pollutants and average temperature
and relative humidity values, combined with low air velocity (n
= 25). Cluster 4 was labelled as the draught cluster, character-
ised by high air velocity (n = 3). In cluster 4, the draught clus-
ter, the prevalence of lung consolidations ≥1 cm was higher
(81.8%; P < 0.001) compared to the presumably normal clus-
ter (31.6%). Also, in the warm, dry and ammonia accumula-
tion cluster the prevalence of these consolidations was higher
(54.2%; P = 0.02) compared to the normal cluster. Further-
more, in the warm, dry and ammonia cluster the prevalence of
consolidations ≥3 cm (38.1%; P = 0.04) and ≥6 cm (31.4%; P =
0.01) were higher compared to the presumably normal climate
cluster (18.2% and 9.1%, respectively).
Average and maximum temperature, ammonia concentra-
tion and air velocity are associated with pneumonia in group-
housed calves and therefore seem to be the most valuable
parameters to measure when evaluating barn climate. Cluster
analysis using different parameters can aid in identification of
calf barns with sufficient air quality and further improve our
understanding of calf barn climatic conditions.
Keywords: Temperature, ammonia, air velocity, thoracic
ultrasonography, broncho-alveolar lavage fluid.
IM-02
Does Hemorrhagic Bowel Syndrome start with small
mucosal erosions ?
Bert De Jonge1, Bart Pardon1, Filip Van Immerseel1, Evy Goossens1,
Nick Vereecke2, Mathilde Pas1, Jozefien Callens3, Koen Chiers1.
1
Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium; 2PathoSense BV, Lier, Belgium;
3
Animal Health Service Flanders, Torhout, Belgium.
Objectives: To describe gross and histological lesions, as
well as intestinal microbiome in cases of Hemorrhagic Bowel
Syndrome (HBS).
Materials & Methods: In this descriptive study, 18 cows
with HBS (7 necropsied immediately following euthanasia, 11
post mortem interval >12h) were grossly and histopatholog-
ically examined post-mortem. In addition, bacteriological ex-
amination and whole metagenome nanopore sequencing of
intestinal samples of affected and unaffected intestine was
performed.
Results: Hemorrhagic Bowel Syndrome was characterized
by a small intestinal, intramucosal hematoma with dissection
of the lamina muscularis mucosa (LMM), in all animals where
histological determination was possible (10/18). In 57.1%
(4/7) of the fresh cases, the small intestinal mucosa proximal
to the hematoma, showed 9-14 multifocal solitary or clustered
small mucosal lacerations or erosions measuring 4-45mm. In
73% (37/48) of these mucosal lesions, microscopic splitting of
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ORAL — Internal Medicine and Toxicology
the LMM comparable to the hematoma was present. Intesti-
nal blood loss was more severe in animals with spontaneous
death compared to euthanized animals (p = 0.038). Bacterio-
logical cultivation and nanopore sequencing showed a polymi-
crobial population at the hematoma and unaffected intestine,
with mostly mild presence of Clostridium perfringens. There
was no infiltrative growth of fungi within the intestinal tissue.
Conclusions: HBS is characterized by an intramucosal
hematoma which likely originates form small mucosal lesions
through dissecting hemorrhage within the LMM. Fulminant in-
testinal blood loss is an important factor in the acute and lethal
clinical course of this disease. Gross and microscopic pathol-
ogy, as well as the culture and sequencing results, were not
in support of involvement of bacterial or fungal agents in the
pathogenesis of HBS.
Keywords: Jejunal hemorrhage syndrome, hematoma,
intestinal, lamina muscularis mucosae, nanopore sequencing.
IM-03
Differentiating airway inflammation in calves by means of
cytological profiles of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid
Justine Clinquart, Katharina Van Leenen, Jade Bokma, Bart Pardon.
Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Objective: Bovine respiratory disease (BRD), the primary
cause of antimicrobial use in youngstock, is an inflammatory
disease caused by multiple infections interacting with host and
environmental factors. To improve prevention of BRD a better
understanding of airway inflammation is critical. Cytology of
bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALf) offers many possibilities to
characterize and diagnose different inflammatory airway dis-
eases, both in humans and in animals. However, in calves to
date no reference values for BALf cytology are available. This
seriously hampers both research and practice, as identifying
truly healthy (negative control) calves for respiratory diseases
is difficult. Therefore, in this study the first aim was to apply
unsupervised clustering in order to identify different airway
inflammation profiles in BALf from calves. Second, based on
identification of a healthy profile, reference values for differen-
tial cell counts in BALf as collected by non-endoscopic bron-
choalveolar lavage were determined.
Material and Methods: A dataset with cytologic infor-
mation on BALf was available. This dataset consisted of 339
group-housed calves aged between 1 and 6 months from 32
dairy farms and 30 beef farms. The differential counts in this
dataset were evaluated by counting 400 nucleated cells on cy-
tospin preparations. A k-means++ -algorithm, an unsupervised
clustering method, was applied on the percentage of macro-
phages, neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils, basophils and
epithelial cells. The number of clusters was first obtained by
validation with ‘clValid’ R package, evaluation of silhouette
plots and biological relevance. Visualization of cluster centers
was used to identify the different clusters. Subsequently, refer-
ence values for the normal cluster were calculated with ‘Ref-
erence Value Advisor’. Lastly, a classification and regression
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
256
decision tree was constructed to establish the cut off-values
for cluster assigning of future observations.
Results: The ideal number of clusters was four, based on
the different validation methods and visual evaluation. In three
clusters one or two cell types were more prominent relative to
the others clusters. As such, a neutrophilic (n=114), eosino-
philic (n=9) and a lymphocytic-basophilic (n=31) cluster were
identified. One cluster did not show any prominent change
in cluster centers and was identified as normal (n=185). The
mean and the calculated 95% interval reference values for
the normal cluster were the following: 52.2% (22.7% – 84.3%)
macrophages, 21.9% (1.4%-41.3%) neutrophils, 6.1% (0.3%-
18.8%) lymphocytes, 0.2% (0.0%-1.5%) eosinophils, 0.0%
(0.0%-0.0%) basophils, and 19.6% (1.0%-59.0%) epithelial
cells. A classification and regression decision tree model used
the percentage of neutrophils, basophils and eosinophils as
main predictors of cluster type for future observations and pro-
vided an accuracy of 98.2%. The first cut off value used by this
model was 42.0% neutrophils. If the percentage of neutrophils
was lower than 42.0% a cut off value of 0.1% basophils and
1.9% eosinophils was employed. When neutrophil count was
equal or above 42%, cut off values were 0.2% and 1.2%, re-
spectively.
Conclusion: Unsupervised clustering provided a useful
distinction of different inflammatory profiles. The main clusters
were neutrophilic and normal clusters. Also, a smaller lympho-
cytic-basophilic and eosinophilic cluster were identified. The
distinguishing of these four clusters, and identification of a
presumably normal group, could contribute to novel insights
in pathogenesis, diagnosis and prevention of various airway
diseases in calves.
Keywords: Cytology, bronchoalveolar lavage, bovine re-
spiratory disease.
IM-04
Association of ionized and total calcium in periparturient
dairy cows
Imke Cohrs1, Sophia Wächter2, Lennart Golbeck2, Walter Grünberg3.
1
Educational and Research Centre for Animal Husbandry, Hofgut
Neumühle, Münchweiler an der Alsenz, Germany; 2Clinic for Cattle,
University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover,
Germany; 3Clinic for Ruminants, University of Veterinary Medicine,
Justus-Liebig-Universität-Giessen, Giessen, Germany.
Objectives: Hypocalcemia in cattle is commonly diag-
nosed based on serum total calcium (tCa) although only ion-
ized calcium (iCa) is metabolically active. The objectives of
this study were to study the association between tCa and iCa
around calving and to identify factors most influential on the
iCa:tCa-ratio.
Materials and methods: Lab results from 30 cows en-
rolled in an unrelated study investigating the effect of phos-
phorus-deprivation during the dry period were used. Cows
were either fed a dry cow diet with adequate (0.30%) or low
(0.16%) phosphorus content. Blood samples were obtained

daily from day -4 until calving, 0h, 6h, 12h, 24h and 2, 3, 4 and
7 days post-partum. Blood gas and blood biochemical analy-
ses were conducted.
Results: Correlations between iCa and tCa during the
first week of lactation ranged between r=0.55, P=0.002 and
r=0.84, P<0.0001. The slope of the Deming regression lines
varied considerably at the different sampling times. ROC anal-
yses with a cut off value of 1.10 mmol/L for iCa conducted for
each sampling time yielded a low area under the curve of 0.64
at calving that increased to 0.93 4 days post-partum. Param-
eters with strongest effect on the iCa:tCa ratio were plasma
albumin (r2=0.58, P<0.0001), pCO2 (r2=0.45, P=0.0003), stan-
dard-[HCO3] (r2=0.22, P=0.01), lactate (r2=0.16, P=0.04) and
NEFAs (r2=0.15, P=0.05).
Conclusion: The association of tCa with iCa during the
first week of lactation is weak and highly variable. Several
blood parameters seem to affect the iCa:tCa ratio and thereby
weaken the usefulness of tCa to predict iCa in particular during
the first days of lactation.
Keywords: Ionized calcium, total calcium, periparturient
dairy cow.
IM-05
Gain and loss of fat depots mass in dairy Holstein cows with
different body condition during the transition period and
early lactation
György Szura1, Stephanie Schäfers1, Dirk Von Soosten2, Ulrich
Meyer2, Jeannette Klüß2, Gerhard Breves1, Sven Dänicke2, Lena
Ruda1, Jürgen Rehage1.
University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover,
1
Germany; 2Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Braunschweig, Germany.
Objectives: Dairy cows suffer from negative energy bal-
ance (NEB) during the transition and early lactation period.
NEB is an outcome of nutrient demand of late gestation, onset
of lactation and inadequate feed intake. Body reserves, main-
ly from subcutaneous (SCAT) and abdominal adipose tissues
(AAT), are mobilized to compensate NEB. Previous studies
found differences in accumulation and mobilization of fat, as
well as functional disparities between SCAT and AAT. The aim
of this study was to compare the gain and loss of SCAT and
AAT depot masses in Holstein dairy cows with initially lower
and higher body condition (mean body condition score (BCS):
3.48 and 3.87, respectively) in the period from day (d)-42 to
d70 relative to parturition.
Materials and methods: The study was performed at the
Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute (FLI), Braunschweig, Germany.
Estimated depot mass (eDM) of SCAT, AAT, retroperitoneal
(RPAT), omental (OMAT) and mesenteric (MAT) adipose de-
pot was determined by ultrasonography on d-42, 7, 28 and 70.
Thirty-one pluriparous German Holstein cows were allocated
into two experimental groups according to the eDM of SCAT
on d-42 relative to parturition (low body condition (LBC) group:
n=16, mean eDM 8.61 kg; high BC (HBC) group: n=15, mean
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eDM 15.6 kg). Average daily change (aDC; prepartum gain
and postpartum loss) of adipose mass was calculated for the
dry (DP; d-42 to d7), fresh cow (FCP; d7 to d28) and early lac-
tation periods (ELP; d28 to d70). Additionally, dry matter intake
(DMI) and lactation performance were recorded.
Results: Animals of the two experimental groups repre-
sented adequate and over-conditioned cows. The AAT depot
had about 2 to 3 times higher mass than SCAT. Prepartum
the AAT gain during the DP was greater compared to SCAT
(0.33 kg/d vs. 0.14 kg/d). More fat mass was lost from AAT
than SCAT depot after calving (0.23 kg/d vs. 0.14 kg/d). Cows
of both groups had similar gains in AAT (0.33 kg/d) and SCAT
(0.14 kg/d) masses during the DP. However, more adipose tis-
sue was mobilized by HBC than LBC cows from both depots
after calving (AAT: HBC vs. LBC: 0.30 vs. 0.17 kg/d; SCAT:
HBC vs. LBC: 0.19 vs. 0.10 kg/d). Correlation analysis re-
vealed that the higher was the gain of AAT mass (r2: 0.36)
during DP the higher was the loss in FCP. This was not the
case for SCAT. In contrast to AAT, during FCP, a more nega-
tive EB was associated with a greater loss of SCAT mass (r2:
0.18).
Conclusions: The results indicate that compared to SCAT
the AAT depot is considerably bigger and is preferentially mo-
bilized after parturition to compensate NEB. Correlation anal-
ysis revealed functional differences between AAT and SCAT
depots. Greater knowledge of differences between AAT and
SCAT depots could improve our understanding of excessive
lipomobilization and its effects on health and performance of
dairy cows during the transition period.
Keywords: Dairy cattle, adipose depot, ultrasonografy,
transition period, fat mobilization.
IM-06
Do unmeasured strong ions predict mortality in sick goats?
Diego Gomez1, Shannon Darby2, Megan Palmisano2, Dave Renaud1.
University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada; 2University of Florida,
1
Gainesville, United States.
Increased systemic concentrations of L-lactate and un-
measured strong ions (USI) are associated with an increased
risk of mortality in humans and calves suffering from various
diseases. The objective of this study was to investigate wheth-
er the concentration of L-lactate and USI, on admission to hos-
pital, are associated with mortality in sick goats.
This study used a  retrospective methodology.  Medical
records of 153 sick goats presented to a teaching hospital
from January 2017 to September 2019 were reviewed and
the following data were collected: Demographics, physical
examination, venous blood gas, biochemistry analysis, and
outcome. The  USI concentration was calculated as: USI =
SIDm  — HCO3−  — A-; were SIDm  is the strong ion difference
calculated as SIDm (mmol/L) = (Na+ + K+) — (Cl− + L-lactate−);
HCO3-  is the plasma concentration of bicarbonate (mmol/L)
and A- is the total negative charge of the plasma proteins (TP)
(mmol/L) calculated as: A− (mmol/L) = [TP x 0.343]/(1 + 10(pKa −
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), where pKa (7.08) is the effective dissociation constant for
pH)
bovine plasma weak acids.
Univariable logistic regression models showed that goats
with USI > 2 had a 4.62 times greater odds (P = 0.01; 95% CI:
1.43 to 14.92) of dying than goats with normal levels (2 to -2
USI). No differences were found between those with an elevat-
ed lactate compared to those with normal lactate (OR: 0.82; P
= 0.64; 95% CI: 0.36 to 1.88).
This study revealed that increased concentrations of USI,
but not L-lactate, at admission were positively associated with
mortality in goats.
Keywords: Unmeasured strong ions, lactate, goats, mor-
tality.
IM-07
Measurements of acute phase proteins in pharyngeal swabs
and serum from healthy dairy calves
Mette Bisgaard Petersen, Nynne Capion.
University of Copenhagen, Taastrup, Denmark.
Objectives: Early recognition and treatment of respiratory
disease in calves can contribute to better animal welfare and
possibly, reduce the antibiotic consumption. Detection of acute
phase proteins (APP) in pharyngeal fluid could be the first step
in making a non-invasive calf-side test for early detection of
respiratory disease. The objective of this study was therefore
to investigate if it was possible to detect the APPs serum am-
yloid A (SAA), haptoglobin (Hp) and lipopolysaccharide bind-
ing protein (lbp) in pharyngeal swabs from calves and if so, to
compare the APP concentration in pharyngeal swabs with the
serum APP concentration.
Materials and methods: Eighty-four healthy dairy calves
aged 3-30 days housed in nine Danish dairy herds were in-
cluded. All calves were assessed free from respiratory disease
by a clinical examination and thoracic ultrasonography in the
herd. After the clinical examination, serum samples were col-
lected from the jugular vein and four long cotton swabs were
placed in pharynx and moved around until saturated. The
swabs were stored in cryotubes with 1 ml of phosphate buff-
ered saline (PBS) for 24 hours, then removed and the cryo-
tubes were stored at -80° Celsius until analysis. The swabs
and serum were analysed for SAA, Hp and lbp at the Veteri-
nary Diagnostic Laboratory at University of Copenhagen. The
range and mean concentration of SAA, Hp and lbp in serum
and swabs were compared.
Results: The SAA concentration in serum ranged from
32.93 - 180.94 ug/ml, with a mean of 118.28 mg/L and a stan-
dard deviation (SD) of 40.56 mg/L. There was a significant
association between age and serum SAA, which decreased
with age. The Hp concentration in serum ranged from 45.14 -
788.75 mg/L, with a mean of 100.60 mg/L and a SD of 100.74
mg/L and the lbp concentration in serum ranged from 7.25-
56.32 ng/ml, with a mean of 20.53 ng/ml and a SD of 9.30 ng/
ml. In the pharyngeal swabs the SAA concentration ranged
from 0.00-8 ug/ml, with a mean of 2.18 ug/ml and a SD of
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1.47 ug/ml. The Hp concentration in pharynx swabs ranged
from 0.00-60.83 mg/L, with a mean of 20.13 mg/L and a SD of
13.61 mg/L. The lbp concentration in pharynx swabs ranged
from 0.00-47.94 ng/ml, with a mean of 6.06 ng/ml and a SD of
11.85 ng/ml.
Conclusions: This is the first time that detection of the
APPs SAA, Hp and lbp in pharyngeal swabs from dairy calves
had been shown. From these results reference intervals for
SAA, Hp and lbp in pharynx swabs from dairy calves housed in
commercial farms can be established. This can be used further
to compare with SAA, Hp and lbp in samples from diseased
calves to establish the levels of APP in pharyngeal swabs of
calves with respiratory disease.
Keywords: Acute phase proteins, calves, pharyngeal
swab.
IM-08
Sepsis and other risk factors for mortality in critically ill
calves
Mathilde Laetitia Pas, Filip Boyen, Jade Bokma, Bart Pardon.
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Objective: Critical illness in calves is a problem practi-
tioners are frequently faced with, often resulting in mortality.
It can be caused by several etiologies, with sepsis amongst
them. Considering the strict antimicrobial legislation in
food-producing animals, it’s crucial to identify which of the crit-
ically ill calves are in need of (critically important) antibiotics.
Knowledge on factors contributing to mortality in these calves
can aid in better antimicrobial decision making. Therefore, the
objective of this study was to identify risk factors for mortality
in critically ill calves.
Material & methods: A retrospective cohort study was
conducted on 230 calves presented with critical illness in our
large animal clinic. Anamnestic information, as well as clinical,
ultrasonographic and laboratory information was assembled.
Critical clinical illness in combination with positive hemocul-
ture (BD BACTEC™) were used as a proxy for the presence
of sepsis. Multivariable logistic regression as well as classifi-
cation and regression tree analysis were used to determine
parameters significantly associated with mortality.
Results: In total 61.3% (141/230) of the calves died. En-
teritis/diarrhea (51.7%, n=119) and pneumonia (45.7%, n=105)
were most frequently detected, followed by sepsis (34.3%,
n=79), neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (17.8%, n=41)
and omphalitis (17.8%, n=41). Comorbidities (presence of
multiple health conditions in the animal) were frequent (54.8%,
n=126), but did not significantly increase the risks of mortali-
ty (P=0.79). The final multivariable regression model showed
that abnormal behavior (OR=3.3; 95% CI, 1.1-10.0; P=0.03),
male gender (OR=4.3; 95% CI, 1.4-13.2; P=0.01), pale mu-
cosae (OR=10.4; 95% CI, 2.5-43.7; P=0.001), tachycardia
(≥ 126 bpm) (OR=3.4; 95.0% CI, 1.1-10.8; P=0.04), acidosis
(pH ≤7.18) (OR=5.3; 95% CI, 1.3 -21.9; P=0.021) and sepsis
(OR=6.9; 95% CI, 1.9-25.0; P=0.003) were associated with

mortality. Regression tree analysis revealed behavior, chlo-
ride, glucose, potassium and lung ultrasonography to be use-
ful in determining the odds for mortality in critically ill calves.
Conclusion: One-third of the critically ill calves in our
study had sepsis, resulting in higher odds for mortality. The
identified risk factors can be helpful for therapeutic decisions,
taking farm economics, animal welfare and public health (e.g.
antimicrobial resistance) into account.
Keywords: Cattle, Critically important antimicrobials,
Hemoculture.
IM-09
Cardiovascular monitoring, laboratory findings and pain
score in calves undergoing guided bilateral rectus sheath
block for umbilical hernia repair: a randomized clinical
trial
Maria Chiara Alterisio1, Paolo Ciaramella1, Fabiana Micieli1,
Giovanni Della Valle1, Ludovica Chiavaccini2, Giancarlo Vesce1,
Jacopo Guccione1.
1
University of Napoli Federico II, Veterinary Medicine and Animal
Production, Napoli, Italy; 2University of Florida Collage of veterinary
Medicine Department of comparative diagnostic and population
medicine, Gainesville, United States.
Objectives: Despite detection and relief of pain are gain-
ing considerable attention in farm animals, only a few clinical
studies assess the effect of the analgesia in cattle after ab-
dominal surgery, so far. Cardiovascular findings, serum cor-
tisol level (SCL) and blood gas analysis (BGA) outcomes, as
well as the pain score (PS) assessment, are considered some
of the most reliable methods of clinical monitoring to evaluat-
ed stress, fear, and pain in animals. Based on the previous
statements, the current study aims to define the health and
welfare of bovine calves undergoing herniorrhaphy under gen-
eral field anesthesia using an ultrasound-guided rectus sheath
block (RSB) by multiple clinical approaches based on a set of
parameters.
Materials and methods: The study has been performed
on fourteen calves randomly assigned to receive either bilat-
eral ultrasound guided RSB with 0.3 mL/kg of bupivacaine
0.25% and 0.15 µg/kg of dexmedetomidine (Treated group,
TG) or 0.3 mL/kg of 0.9% NaCl (Control group, CG). All ani-
mals were monitored by Holter recording to define the effects
on the cardiac dynamic, as well as SCL, BGA, and UNE-
SP-Botucatu pain scale to assess their health and welfare sta-
tus. Holter monitoring has been continuously performed from
-120 minutes (min) pre-surgery to +120 min post-surgery div-
ing the mean results in interval 1 (Int1)=-120min pre-surgery
to the beginning of induction time; Int2= beginning of induction
to estubation time (EST-t); Int3=EST-t to +120min post-sur-
gery; Int4=EST-t to +15min, Int5=EST-t to +30min, Int6=EST-t
to +60min, Int7=EST-t to +120min. The SCL have been evalu-
ated at -150min pre-surgery (baseline), at induction time, skin
incision and EST-t, as well as at +30min, + 45min, + 60min, +
120min, + 360min after surgery. BGA at -120min pre-surgery,
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skin incision and EST-t, as well as at + 60min, + 120min. Fi-
nally, the PS was carried out at -150min pre-surgery and at
+30min, + 45min, + 60min, + 120min, + 240min, + 360min
post-surgery. Intra- and extra-groups differences have been
calculated with appropriate parametric and non-parametric
tests. Probabilities < 0.05 were considered statistically signif-
icant.
Results: No significant difference was observed regarding
the heart rate between the two groups at any time-interval,
while regarding the same parameter a significant intra-group
difference has been observed for the TG (Int1=99.9±21.0
beat/min ±SD vs. Int2=92.7±22.0; P<0.05). A statistical-
ly significant difference was observed regarding the over-
all time both of respiratory arrhythmia (TG=4.08min vs.
GC=25.21min; P<0.0001) and sinus tachycardia (TG=0.00min
vs. GC=11.07min; P<0.001). A further significant difference
was found regarding the SCL between the two groups at skin
incision time (TG=0.45±0.08 ng/mL ±SD vs. CG=0.82±0.06;
P<0.01), while none was observed regarding the BGA. Finally,
calves receiving RSB exhibited significantly lower median PS
(P<0.05) between the two groups at +45min (TG=1 vs.CG=4),
+60min (TG=1 vs.CG=6), +120min (TG=0 vs.CG=1) and
+240min (TG=0 vs.CG=1.5).
Conclusion: The current multiple clinical approaches
based on a set of parameters assess the effects on the health
and welfare of bovine calves undergoing herniorrhaphy under
general field anesthesia after receiving an ultrasound guided
RSB bupivacaine based, for the first time. The clinical proce-
dures seem to reveal beneficial short-term (attested by HR
and SCL) and long-term effects after surgery (attested by the
PS). Although as compared to the traditional analgesic tech-
niques, the use of this ultrasound based RSB seems to give
greater beneficial effects on the health and welfare of calves
affected by umbilical hernia, further studies are necessary to
definitively confirm the effects and to enable this innovative
analgesic procedure to become a milestone in the bovine field
medicine.
Keywords: Holter calves, calves health, calves welfare,
rectus sheath block, umbilical hernia.
IM-10
Association of gastrointestinal microbiota and anion gap
acidosis in diarrheic calves
Lynna Li1, David L. Renaud1, Hanne M. Goetz1, Jennifer Macnicol2,
Lisa Gamsjaeger3, Diego E. Gomez1.
1
Ontario Veterinary College, Guelph, Canada; 2University of Guelph,
Guelph, Canada; 3University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Objectives: Diarrheic calves often develop anion gap
acidosis associated with increased concentrations of unmea-
sured anions including D- and L-lactate. However, the mech-
anisms responsible for these acid-base disorders are not
completely understood. The objective of this study was to in-
vestigate the fecal bacterial alterations of calves with diarrhea
and to explore its relationship with changes in blood pH, bicar-
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bonate, and the anion gap and the gastrointestinal microbiota
of diarrheic calves.
Materials and Methods: Prospective case-control study.
The fecal microbiota of healthy (n= 20) and diarrheic (n= 31)
calves was assessed by sequencing of 16S ribosomal RNA
gene amplicons. Blood gas analysis was completed using an
i-Stat analyzer. Alpha diversity was assessed using the Chao-
1, Inverse Simpson’s and Shannon Even indices. The microbi-
al membership and structure of the fecal microbiota was com-
pared between groups using the Jaccard and Yue & Clayton
indices, respectively. LefSe analysis was used to determine
differentially abundant taxa in healthy and diarrheic calves.
Results: Diarrheic calves had a lower pH and bicarbon-
ate concentration and a higher anion gap than healthy calves.
In healthy calves, a higher richness, evenness, and diversity
were observed compared to diarrheic calves. The Jaccard and
Yue & Clayton indices showed that the community member-
ship and structure, respectively, of healthy dairy calves was
significantly different than that of diarrheic calves (AMOVA <
0.01), for both comparisons. LefSe analysis showed an en-
richment in obligated anaerobes (Phocaeicola, Bacteroides,
Prevotella, Faecalibacterium, Butyricicoccus, Ruminococca-
ceae and Lachnospiraceae) in healthy calves while in diar-
rheic calves there was an increase in facultative anaerobes
(Enterococcus, Ligilactobacillus, Lactobacilus, Gallibacterium
Streptococcus, and Escherichia/Shigella) (LDA score > 3 and
P < 0.05). In diarrheic calves an increased relative abundance
of lactate-producing bacteria including Lactobacillus, Strepto-
coccus, Veillonella, Ligilactobacillus and Olsenella was detect-
ed compared to their healthy counterparts (LDA score > 3 and
P < 0.05).
Conclusions: Calf diarrhea was associated with a shift
from obligated to facultative anaerobes and expansion of lac-
tate-producing bacteria. Those changes were related to ac-
idemia and increased concentration of unmeasured anions
(L- and D-lactate), estimated using the anion gap. These re-
sults suggested that gastrointestinal microbiota could play an
important role in the development of anion gap acidosis in di-
arrheic calves.
Keywords: Acidemia, D-lactate, acidosis, bicarbonate,
unmeasured anions.
IM-11
Selective use of antibiotics in neonatal calf diarrhea and its
influence on fecal microbiota
Giulia Sala, Valerio Bronzo, Antonio Boccardo, Vincenzo Ferrulli,
Laura Filippone Pavesi, Maria Filippa Addis, Paola Cremonesi,
Filippo Biscarini, Davide Pravettoni.
University of Milan, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal
Sciences, Lodi, Italy.
Objective: The role of parenteral administration of antibi-
otics during neonatal calf diarrhea (NCD) is still an open issue.
This study investigates the efficacy of antibiotic treatment and
its influence on the gut microbiota of diarrheic calves.
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Materials and methods: After approval of the Ministry of
Health (approval number 14/2018), a total of 42 calves were
selected from client-owned dairy calves with NCD, admitted
to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Milan
from May 2018 to May 2019. We enrolled 1-to-10-day-old
Holstein Friesian calves that did not present other concurrent
neonatal diseases. Upon admission, the calves were clinically
examined as described in Boccardo et al. 2017. The acid-base
imbalance was assessed by venous blood-gas analysis. Se-
rum total proteins (sTP) were measured in serum by a hand
refractometer, and calves presenting a value < 55 g/L were
considered as being affected by ITPI. Fecal cultures and an-
tibiotic susceptibility tests were also performed. Conventional
fluid therapy was performed on dehydration degree and ac-
id-base imbalance. After infusion, calves were randomly as-
signed either to the group treated with antibiotics (Group A,
n. = 21 calves treated with ampicillin 10 mg/kg IV q12h for 5
days), or those not treated with antibiotics (Group B, n. = 21).
In both groups, ITPI calves received hyperimmune plasma
containing a declared total protein quantity (PlasmaLife Calf®,
Il Ceppo s.r.l., Italy). The amount of hyperimmune plasma was
calculated using the formula:
Plasma amount (L) = (body weight (kg) × plasma volume
[8.9%] × sTP GAP)/plasma sTP concentration
where sTP GAP = difference between pre–transfusion sTP
and desired post–transfusion sTP (60 g/L); sTP concentration
= concentration of sTP in the plasma as declared by the pro-
ducer.
Calves were monitored daily with complete clinical exam-
inations for 28 days. The clinical data were recorded using
a Calf Health Scoring Chart (CHSC), and the probability of
sepsis was calculated. Critically ill calves (sepsis score > 60%)
were treated with antibiotics based on antibiotic susceptibility
tests in both groups and this event was considered a failure
of therapy. Each calf was weighed weekly, and a blood and
fecal sample were collected. Blood serum samples obtained
by centrifugation were analyzed to measure the concentration
of sTP and IgG, while fecal samples were used for microbiota
analysis.
The frequencies of mortality and treatment failure between
the groups were compared with a χ2test. The difference in the
average daily gain and days of diarrhea between groups was
compared with a Mann – Whitney – Wilcoxon test. Statistical
significance was considered for p<0.05. The fecal microbial
diversity was assessed within samples (alpha diversity). All in-
dices (alpha and beta diversity) were estimated from the com-
plete operational taxonomic units (OTU) table at the OTU lev-
el, filtered for OTUs with more than 15 total counts distributed
in at least two samples. In addition to the number of observed
OTUs directly counted from the OTU table, within-sample mi-
crobial richness, diversity, and evenness were estimated using
the following indices: Chao1 and ACE (abundance-based cov-
erage estimator) for richness, and Shannon’s, Simpson’s, and
Fisher’s alpha for diversity.
Results: Eighteen calves (42.8%) presented ITPI (nine
calves in group A, and nine in group B), and receiving the
plasma transfusion (average 500 ml; min 300 ml; max 1000
ml). There was no statistical difference between groups A
and B in terms of mortality rate (p=0.586), failure of treatment
(p=0.449), average daily gain (p=0.556), and days with diar-

rhea (p=0.585), regardless of the presence or absence of ITPI.
The microbiota analysis showed that the microbiota of
calves treated without antibiotics was re-established earlier
than calves treated with antibiotics. Alpha diversity indexes
were significantly higher in calves treated without antibiotics
at the second week of convalescence than those treated with
antibiotics (p=0.043). Furthermore, the antimicrobial treatment
was associated with a decrease in the phylum Actinobacteria
(p=0.045) and the family Lachnospiraceae (p=0.042) in the fe-
cal microbiota of calves at the second week of study.
Conclusion: Our data suggest that antibiotic treatment
should be omitted in the treatment of NCD both in calves with
an adequate transfer of passive immunity and in ITPI calves
treated with hyperimmune plasma. Furthermore, microbiota
re-establishment seems to be significantly faster in calves
treated without antibiotics.
Keywords: Neonatal Calf Diarrhea, Dairy Calves, antibiot-
ic resistance, gut microbiota.
IM-12
Toxicity by Accumulation after 31 days of daily high dose
administration of Meloxicam in an adult Boer Goat
Aurora Villarroel , John E. Mata .
1 2
Athyr Vet, LLC, Philomath, OR, United States; 2Ome Naturals, LLC,
1
Corvallis, OR, United States.
Objective: The objective of this case report was to deter-
mine the cause for multiple unspecific and apparently unrelat-
ed clinical signs in a goat that was being treated for chronic
laminitis on all four feet.
Materials and Methods: A 6-year-old intact non-gravid
female Boer goat was presented for clinical signs of severe
ventral edema, pleuritis, tachypnea, hypopnea, tremors, lami-
nitis, weakness, inappetence and inability to stand. On anam-
nesis it was discovered that the goat had been treated daily
with high doses (1.15 mg/kg) of meloxicam for 31 consecutive
days. Observed clinical signs were consistent with meloxicam
overdose in humans. Lacking any clinical reports in the liter-
ature on treatment options for this presentation, the decision
was made to simply discontinue meloxicam and treat the most
severe clinical signs (severe ventral edema, pain due to lam-
initis and inappetence) symptomatically with one session of
acupuncture and supportive care.
Results: Given that the half-life of meloxicam in goats is
approx. 11 h, complete clearance of the recommend standard
dose (0.5 mg/kg (0.23 mg/lb) is estimated at >55 h. These
pharmacokinetic properties, therefore, have the potential for
toxic accumulation when this dose or a larger dose of meloxi-
cam is administered every 24 h, especially during long-term
therapy.
Ventral edema, pain due to laminitis and inappetence
markedly improved within 24 hours. Ventral edema subsided
completely within 48 hours of the single acupuncture session.
All other clinical signs began improving on day 3 after meloxi-
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Internal Medicine and Toxicology
cam discontinuation and resolved completely within 19 days.
All hooves presented complete detachment of the wall from
the coronary band and required functional trimming over a pe-
riod of 5 months until regaining full normal morphology.
Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first report of
meloxicam accumulation toxicity in a ruminant. Based on this
case and evidence in studied references, we propose to use
lower dose or greater interval between doses (>24 h), and ac-
tively monitoring for toxicity signs when administering meloxi-
cam other than at the recommended 0.5 mg/kg (0.23 mg/lb) a
single time.
Keywords: Meloxicam, toxicity, toxic accumulation, goat.
IM-13
Particulate matter and endotoxin concentration in calf
barns and their association with lung consolidation,
pulmonary inflammation and infection
Katharina Van Leenen1, Jonathan Jouret2, Peter Demeyer3, Pieter
Vermeir4, Laura Van Driessche1, Lieze De Cremer1, Christina
Masmeijer1, Filip Boyen1, Piet Deprez1, Eric Cox1, Bert Devriendt1,
Bart Pardon1.
1
Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium; 2Belgian Center for
Occupational Hygiene, Zwijnaarde, Belgium; 3Flanders Research
Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Merelbeke, Belgium;
4
Ghent University, Gent, Belgium.
Air quality is of paramount importance for human and
animal health. Among the different air pollutants, particulate
matter as a representation of dust of variable diameter has
become a major health concern. Agriculture is an important
source of organic dust, containing different particulate matter
fractions and endotoxins, which have been associated with
respiratory conditions in humans and horses. Dust concentra-
tion and constitution in calf barns is hardly documented and
whether certain particulate matter fractions or endotoxins con-
tribute to the bovine respiratory disease complex is currently
unknown.
The objective of this study was to measure particulate
matter fractions and endotoxin concentrations in calf housings
and study their associations with respiratory inflammation and
infection.
A cross-sectional study was performed and samples were
collected on 23 dairy and 21 beef farms in Belgium, from Jan-
uary – April 2017. A total of 339 indoor group-housed calves
were enrolled in the study. A Grimm aerosol spectrometer was
used to sample PM1, PM2.5 and PM10 fractions during a 24-
hour period. A separate PM10 sample was obtained in parallel,
using an impaction sampler, for gravimetric PM10 and endo-
toxin analysis. Calves were clinically examined, thoracic ultra-
sonography and non-endoscopic broncho-alveolar lavage for
cytology and bacteriology was performed.
Mean 24-hour PM1 concentration was 16.8 ± 17.5 µg/m3
(range (R) = 0.18 – 78.8), mean PM2.5 25.7 ± 25.5 µg/m3 (R
= 0.52 – 148.0) and mean PM10 73.8 ± 55.4 µg/m3 (R = 1.7
– 254.0). These values were above the 24-hour mean con-
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centrations suggested in the WHO Air quality guidelines for
human exposure, being 25 µg/m3 (PM2.5) and 50 µg/m3 (PM10),
respectively (World Health Organization, 2005).
The mean EU/µg PM10 was 4.25 ± 5.8 (R = 0.02 – 30.3)
and mean EU/m3 200.2 ± 197.4 (R = 2.32 – 901.0). Lung con-
solidations with a depth of ≥1, ≥3 and ≥6 cm were present in
43.1% (146/339), 27.4% (93/339) and 15.3 % (52/339) of the
calves, respectively. The odds of having lung consolidations
of ≥1 (OR = 13.9; CI = 3.4 – 55.6) and ≥3 cm (OR = 7.0; CI =
1.8 – 27.0) in depth increased when endotoxin concentrations
exceeded 8.5 EU/ µg PM10, compared to when this cut-off was
not exceeded. Exposure to small and fine particulate matter
fractions (PM2.5 and PM1) was associated with increased odds
of consolidations of ≥1 (OR = 3.4; CI = 1.6 – 2.7) and ≥6 cm
(OR = 10.9; CI = 1.1 – 111.1), respectively. Total nucleated
cell count of broncho-alveolar lavage fluid showed a positive
association with the maximum PM1 concentration and neutro-
phil percentage with the maximum PM10 concentration. Only
Pasteurella multocida isolation was associated with average
PM2.5 concentration, for the other major respiratory pathogens
no associations were found.
This study shows that particulate matter and endotoxin
concentrations could play an important role in the bovine re-
spiratory disease complex.
Reference: World Health Organization, W. (2005). WHO
Air quality guidelines for particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen
dioxide and sulfur dioxide: Global update 2005. 1–21. https://
doi.org/10.1016/0004-6981(88)90109-6
Keywords: Particulate matter, endotoxin, lung consolida-
tion, dust, pneumonia.
IM-14
One-year cross-sectional study of dermatological lesions in
433 dairy cattle in a veterinary teaching hospital
Eloi Guarnieri, Frédéric Sauvé, David Francoz.
Université de Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, Canada.
Little literature is available on the prevalence of bovine skin
diseases. The objective of this study was to describe the der-
matological lesions (DL) in dairy cattle admitted at the Faculty
of Veterinary Medicine (FVM), Université de Montréal, from
July 1, 2018, to June 30, 2019.
A study-dedicated dermatological lexicon was first devel-
oped by the authors. Over a year, all dairy cattle admitted at
the FVM were included in the study. Dairy cattle readmitted or
without integumentary examination within 48 hours of admis-
sion were excluded. DL involvingfeet and ear canals were also
excluded. The morphological and location of the skin and the
oral mucosal DL were recorded by a trained observer.
On the 610 cattle admitted at the FVM, 433 dairy cattle
were included. Most of them were Holstein breed (90%) and
females (98%). The mean age was 3.3 years old (+/- 2.8
years). Of these 433 cattle, skin and oral mucosal lesions
were observed in 91% and 9% of the cases, respectively. Most
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
262
cattle had at least one hock (55%), one carpus (47%) or one
stifle (23%) affected. Crusts (55%), callus (54%) and alopecia
(51%) were the most common skin DL. Erosions (43%) and
ulcers (20%) were the most common oral mucosal lesions.
This cross-sectional study highlighted the high prevalence
of the DL in this specific cattle population. Considering these
results, further studies would be important to determine etiolo-
gies, economic and clinical impacts of these DL.
Keywords: Dermatology, Skin lesions, Bovine.
IM-15
Evaluation of the inter-rater agreement of the clinical signs
of bovine respiratory disease in veal calves
Julie Berman, David Francoz, Abdelmonem Ahmed Abdallah, Simon
Dufour, Sébastien Buczinski.
Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Canada.
Objectives: In veal calves, clinical signs of bovine res-
piratory disease (BRD) are nasal discharge, ocular discharge,
dyspnea, drooping ears, cough, and temperature. Despite the
existence of several clinical scoring systems, the variability
of human recognition of these anomalies has never been re-
ported. The objective of this study was therefore to assess
the inter-rater agreement of BRD clinical signs in veal calves.
We hypothesized that BRD clinical signs were not detected
equally between veterinarians, technicians, and producers of
the veal industry and that some clinical signs have a higher
inter-rater agreement than others.
Methods: During 2017-2018, we prospectively recorded
524 videos of physical examination of random veal calves from
80 batches in Quebec, Canada. A researcher, not involved in
the inter-rater assessment, classified each video as presence/
absence of each of BRD clinical signs except rectal temper-
ature. For each of the 5 clinical signs, 15 videos with and 15
videos without the clinical sign were randomly selected to limit
kappa paradoxes. Those 30 videos were then presented in a
random order to experimented rater with BRD in veal calves:
6 veterinarians, 6 technicians, and 6 producers. Raters as-
sessed the clinical sign using a modified Wisconsin scoring
system (0=absent, 1=slight, 2=moderate, 3=severe for nasal
discharge, ocular discharge and drooping ears; and 0=absent,
1=moderate, 2=severe for dyspnea and elicited cough). We
used the median percentage agreement (Pa), median Co-
hen’s kappa (K), and Gwet’s agreement coefficient 1 (AC1)
to assess inter-rater agreement. Effect of scale combination
was also tested to determine the optimal combination (4-scale
0/1/2/3 vs 3-scale 0/1,2,3 or 0/1/2 vs 2-scale 0,1/2,3 or 0/1,2).
The differences of inter-rater agreement between veterinar-
ians, technicians, and producers were estimated by a Wilcox-
on rank-sum test (p-value < 0.05).
Results: The 2-scale combination (0,1/2,3 or 0/1,2) had
a higher inter-agreement for all clinical signs. With this com-
bination, elicited cough was the clinical sign with the highest
inter-rater agreement (Pa = 0.93; K = 0.79; AC1 = 0.87) and
dyspnea was the sign with the lowest inter-rater agreement

(Pa = 0.77; K = 0.20; AC1 = 0.74). According to Pa and AC1
values, the 2-scale inter-rater agreement of the 5 clinical signs
was good (value > 0.6). According to K, only drooping ears
and cough had a substantial 2-scale inter-rater agreement
(K > 0.6). In general, the 2-scale inter-rater agreement was
better between veterinarians than between technicians, and
between producers except for the drooping ears where the
agreement was better among producers (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: We concluded that with a 2-scale combina-
tion of severity the inter-rater agreement of BRD clinical signs
was variable according to the sign but clinically acceptable in
veal calves. BRD clinical signs were, however, not detected
equally between veterinarians, technicians, and producers of
the veal industry. Future research could determine if this dis-
crepancy could be improved by standardized training.
Keywords: Inter-rater agreement, pneumonia, veal
calves, clinical examination.
IM-16
Stage-of-lactation specific hematology reference intervals
are needed for post-parturient Holstein dairy cows
Vangelis Tsiamadis1, Nikolaos Panousis2, Nektarios Siachos1,
Georgios Arsenos1, Georgios E. Valergakis1.
1
Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,
Box 393, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124 Thessaloniki,
Greece, Thessaloniki, Greece; 2Clinic of Farm Animals, Department
of Clinics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of
Thessaloniki, GR-54124 Thessaloniki, Greece, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Objectives: Hematologic profile of Holstein cows has
been investigated mostly during peak and mid-lactation and
dry period. However, comparative studies for hematology of
post-parturient Holstein dairy cows versus the other stages of
lactation is scarce. Therefore, the objective of this study was to
establish hematology reference intervals (RIs) from the same
population of Holstein dairy cows during different production
stages and estimate the percentage of cows correctly classi-
fied if they were used interchangeably.
Material and Methods: Initially, after clinical examina-
tion, 68 dry period (DP) and 87 peak-lactation [PL, between
30 and 120 days-in-milk (DIM)] healthy Holstein cows from 10
dairy herds were enrolled in the study, blood sampled once,
and used to establish DP and PL RIs. Samples from each
cow were collected into 3 sterile vacuum tubes: a) with anti-
coagulant (K3-EDTA, for hematology), b) with 3.2% Sodium
Citrate (for fibrinogen), and c) without anticoagulant [for total
protein (TP) concentration]. Complete Blood Count (CBC), fi-
brinogen and TP concentrations were determined using AD-
VIA 120 hematology analyzer, QBC VetAutoread, and ATAGO
Τ2-ΝΕ desk refractometer respectively. Relevant RIs (DP
and PL) were established with the Reference Value Advisor
v.2.1. freeware. Subsequently, 1,021 Holstein cows from the
same 10 herds were blood-sampled twice during the imme-
diate post-partum period (on DIM2 and DIM8). Samples were
collected and analyzed as previously described. These 1,021
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Internal Medicine and Toxicology
cows were clinically examined daily from DIM1 to DIM8 and
records from those that remained clinically healthy throughout
this period (247 cows) were used to establish post-partum RIs
(PP2 and PP8, respectively) with the aforementioned method.
Reference intervals of PP2 and PP8 were fitted to DP and
PL RIs, in order to estimate the percentage of cows correctly
classified.
Results: Respective CBC 95% RIs (lower – upper limit)
for DP, LP, PP2 and PP8 were: RBC: (5.15-7.63), (4.51-6.98),
(5.37-8.01), (5.00-7.53) x1012/L, HGB: (87.0-126.9), (71.5-
113.5), (91.0-132.8), (83.1-121.0) g/L, HCT: (0.226-0.324),
(0.192-0.305), (0.231-0.350), (0.215-0.315) L/L, MCV: (37.39-
50.75), (35.03-47.86), (36-51), (35.7-49.7) fL, MCH: (14.34-
19.38), (13.92-18.32), (13.84-19.30), (13.70-19.20) x1012/L,
MCHC: (361.9-416.5), (356.4-412.6), (352.4-417.6), (348.1-
417.9) g/L, WBC: (5.63-13.11), (4.56-14.02), (4.16-15.30),
(4.44-17.41) x109/L, neutrophils: (1.25-6.72), (1.40-7.60),
(0.86-9.77), (0.85-9.77) x109/L, lymphocytes: (2.01-5.25),
(0.89-5.64), (1.43-5.77), (1.61-5.66) x109/L, neutrophils:lym-
phocytes (N:L) ratio: (0.38-1.80), (0.44-1.96), (0.24-2.84),
(0.24-2.84), monocytes: (0.02-1.05), (0.08-1.01), (0.08-1.93),
(0.06-1.36) x109/L, eosinophils: (0.08-1.55), (0.03-0.95),
(0.05-0.83), (0.04-0.61) x109/L, platelets: (62.5-532.4), (22.1-
805.3), (48.2-604.8), (97.5-690.1) x109/L, TP: (53.7-88.4),
(62.8-95.7), (56.3-84.0), (60.0-86.0) g/L, fibrinogen: (2.854-
6.024), (2.294-7.236), (N/A), (2.702-7.884) mg/L. For PP2,
percentage of cows correctly classified compared to DP and
PL were: RBC, 96.2% and 71.2%; HGB, 95.8% and 61.4%;
HCT, 91.6% and 79.3%; MCV, 97.5% and 91.9%; MCH,
98.7% and 85.8%; MCHC, 93.6% and 97.0%; WBC, 83.4%
and 96.6%; neutrophils, 83.0% and 88.9%; lymphocytes,
88.9% and 99.0%; N:L ratio, 77.9% and 81.0%,; monocytes,
77.5% and 72.5%; eosinophils, 99.5% and 96.0%; platelets,
95.7% and 95.0%; TP, 97.0% and 84.3%. For PP8, percent-
age of cows correctly classified compared to DP and PL were:
RBC, 99.0% and 92.3%; HGB, 96.7% and 88.8%; HCT, 97.0%
and 96.0%; MCV, 98.6% and 94.7%; MCH, 96.6% and 91.8%;
MCHC, 91.7% and 92.2%; WBC, 84.1% and 97.1%; neutro-
phils, 89.7% and 88.7%; lymphocytes, 93.7% and 97.0%; N:L
ratio, 83.0% and 72.5%,; monocytes, 97.1% and 92.3%; eo-
sinophils, 99.0% and 94.0%; platelets, 85.4% and 96.0%; TP,
99.0% and 97.6%; fibrinogen, 83.8% and 99.3%.
Conclusion: More than 10% of cows during the first week
post-partum would be misclassified as non-healthy based on
their hematology profile, if dry period and peak-lactation RIs
were used. Reference intervals derived from cows in dry peri-
od or peak lactation are not suitable for fresh cows. Only RIs
specially established for the first week post-partum should be
used.
Keywords: Hematology reference intervals, Holstein dairy
cows, post-partum period.
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IM-17
Use of epidural long action steroids on calving paralysis
treatment
Francisco Gálvez Sánchez1, Carlos Coronel Araújo2, Javier Blanco
Murcia2, Michela Re2, Isabel Romero1.
Javier Blanco y Asociados Servicios Veterinarios, Los Molinos, Spain;
1
Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary
2
Medicine, University Complutense, Madrid, Spain.
Objectives: Calving paralysis is a syndrome that involve
motor and/or sensitive disability and proprioception deficit of
the hind limbs. This syndrome can present in different ways
with a marked abduction associated to inability to adduce the
hind limbs. Cows were diagnosed with one or more neuro-
logical syndromes: sciatic, tibial paresis, obturator or femoral,
based on clinical findings consistent with damage to these pe-
ripheral nerves or their nerve roots. These cases of paralysis
are more common in beef cattle since they are directly related
to prolonged or dystocic calving, due to a maternal-fetal dis-
proportion. The treatment that has been commonly established
for this syndrome is based on systemic steroids and NSAIDs
(nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), B-Complex vitamins
and physiotherapy. This conventional treatment has shown
relative success, being calving paralysis a syndrome that can
hardly be reversed in beef cattle. The objective of this study
is to provide a new tool for the calving paralysis treatment,
through the application of methylprednisolone acetate epidural
route. This innovative therapy is based on human medicine
studies in which use this way to treat low back pain with very
few systemic side effects. Applying epidural steroids, we get
them to act directly by spreading from the epidural canal to pe-
ripheral nerves, thus decreasing the perineural inflammation
that has occurred, encouraging a faster recovery.
Material and methods: This retrospective clinical study
gathers the cases of 21 beef cows with calving paralysis. All
patients underwent a clinical examination and a thorough
medical and musculoskeletal clinical examination including
flexor-withdrawal and sensitive test, that showed recumben-
cy and sensory incapacity of their hind limbs, so they were
treated with methylprednisolone acetate (0.5mg/kg) epidural
route, being able to repeat the treatment at 10-15 days if it
were necessary. All epidurals were performed between 0 and
24 hours postcalving. Along with the epidural, every cow re-
ceived a dose of NSAIDs. This study shows the follow-up of all
these cases, until the patient is properly able to stand up or, on
the contrary, the death or sacrifice of the cow.
Results: The treatment based in the application of meth-
ylprednisolone acetate [Depo-Moderin®] (0.5mg/kg) epidural
route was successful in 72% of the patients studied, getting up
on their own on different days: 60% of the cows were able to
stand up on the first 2 days, 27% of the cows on the 3rd or 4th
day, and the remaining 13% from the 10th day.
Conclusions: In calving paralysis, the longer the cow
remains in decubitus position, the worse the prognosis. So,
with this results, the use of epidural long action steroids is
proposed as a treatment to improve the prognosis and accel-
erate the recovery of patients. If the patient has a good body
condition and is alert, epidural long action steroids combined
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
264
with physiotherapy may be effective. Further studies are nec-
essary, increasing the number of cases to be analysed, in or-
der to ensure with certainty the effectiveness of this treatment.
Keywords: Calving paralysis, epidural, methylpredniso-
lone.
IM-18
Bright blindness in a goat flock associated with fern
(Pteridium aquilinum) intake
Maite Rodríguez Hernandorena, Asier Albite, Jorge Gimeno, Marina
Ríos, Janira Magreñán, Paula Artigot, Paula Pacual, Jose Antonio
García Del Jalón, Enrique Castells, Luis Miguel Ferrer, María Climent.
Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.
Objectives: In the month of August 2021, a clinical case of
blindness in a goat flock was referred to the Ruminant Clinical
Service of the University of Zaragoza by a practitioner work-
ing in the Basque Country (Spain). Affected animals belong
to a pet flock of 12 Valais breed goats reared in an exten-
sive production system.The goats were grazing in a 4-hectare
field along with some animals of other species. According to
the veterinarian, there was little food in the pasture, and ferns
predominated, which the farmer reported that the goats ate
greedily.
The practitioner referred that in June 2021, six goats were
presented with nervous clinical signs. After neurological ex-
amination, he noticed almost complete blindness in all six an-
imals.
Material and methods: A clinical examination of the af-
fected animals was performed. They presented a low body
condition (2/5), heart and breath rates were normal, as well as
body temperature. In addition, the examination revealed mild
blindness as the only neurological clinical sign. The farmer re-
ferred that goats presented a bright greenish light in the eyes
at night.
One of the goats died and was referred to the Pathological
Service of the Veterinary Science Faculty for the post-mortem
exam. Cerebellum, encephalon and the eyes were taken for
histopathology, while sterile swabs were collected for microbi-
ology and Rt-PCR.
Results: A differential diagnosis was carried out based
on the clinical signs and the history. Some disorders such as
heavy metal or fern intoxication were taken into consideration.
Likewise, listeriosis, vitamin A or B deficiency and individual
causes such as retinal detachment, cataracts or an eye ulcer
were included in the differential diagnosis.
The main suspicion was intoxication based on the chron-
ic ingestion of fern (Pteridium aquilinum) referred to by the
farmer. These plants contain high concentrations of ptaqui-
loside, a toxic component that causes stenosis in the retinal
vessels damaging and vanishing the layer of rods and cones
completely. This narrowness caused an increase in tapetum
lucidum reflectance,which is called "bright blindness".
Microbiological study and Rt-PCR showed negative results

for Listeria monocytogenes, and thus the necropsy revealed it
was not an inflammatory process but degenerative.
At the post mortem macroscopic examination, there were
no major findings in the brain, and no signs of cerebrocortical
necrosis were found under ultraviolet light. The following histo-
pathological study only revealed representative damage in the
eye: the layer of rods and cones had almost completely dis-
appeared, and the consequent retinal degeneration reached
the macula.
Conclusions: The ingestion of Pteridium aquilinum is as-
sociated with intoxication that can have an acute or chronic
evolution with different clinical pictures. Acute poisoning, also
called haemorrhagic fever, is more common in cattle than
sheep and presents the characteristic clinical picture of a hae-
morrhagic syndrome. The continued intake of low doses of
toxins (chronic intoxication) is associated with the appearance
of bovine enzootic haematuria, gastrointestinal carcinomas,
polioencephalomalacia (action of thiamine) and a particular
form of the disease described in sheep known as "bright blind-
ness". This clinical picture has not been described so far in
goats.
Progressive bilateral blindness characterises this disor-
der due to a degeneration of the retinal neuroepithelium. The
eyes glow abnormally in the gloom. There is no inflammation
or opacity of the cornea. After the eye exam, the veins and
arteries are narrower, and the main vessels are more separate
than normal.
Keywords: Brigth Blindness, Fern, Goat.
IM-19
A Consensus on Calf Scour – Repositioning Vets at the
Centre of the Solution
Matt Yarnall1, Marie-Louise Ryan2, Susana Astiz Blanco3, Alice
Nothhelfer4, Sabrina Bertani5, Henk Schooneveld6, Bart Pardon7,
Thomas Vahlenkamp8, Trine Fredslund Matthiesen9, Barbara
Wolfger10, Ibrahim Haggag11, Sioned Timothy12, Manuel Cervino13,
Arnaud Bolon14, Nicola Morandi15, Monique Driesse16, Jo Maris17,
Martina Bechter18, Thomas Manske19, Philipp Kukla20, Mohamed
Alnahrawy21, Manfred Lang22.
1
Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Ingelheim, Germany; 2Mulcair
Veterinary Clinic, Cappamore, Republic of Ireland; 3Instituto Nacional
de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria, Madrid, Spain;
4
VetHelfer, Chasselay, France; 5Ferraroni mangimi Ltd., Milan, Italy;
6
Schoonveldeweg, Koekange, Netherlands; 7Gent University, Merelbeke,
Belgium; 8Institut für Virologie Zentrum für Infektionsmedizin
Universität Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany; 9Gråsten Kvægpraksis, Gråsten,
Denmark; 10Tierarztpraxiswolfger, St. Michael, Austria; 11Al Safi
Danone Dairy farm, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia; 12Boehringer Ingelheim
Animal Health UK, Bracknell, United Kingdom; 13Boehringer Ingelheim
Animal Health Spain, Madrid, Spain; 14Boehringer Ingelheim France,
Lyon, France; 15Boehringer Ingelheim Italy, Milan, Italy; 16Boehringer
Ingelheim Animal Health Netherlands, Alkmaar, Netherlands;
17
Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Belgium, Brussels, Belgium;
18
Boehringer Ingelheim Germany, Ingelheim, Germany; 19Boehringer
Ingelheim Animal Health Nordics, Copenhagen, Denmark; 20Boehringer
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Internal Medicine and Toxicology
Ingelheim Animal Health Austria, Vienna, Austria; 21Boehringer
Ingelheim Animal Health META Ltd, Dubai, United Arab Emirates;
22
Boehringer Ingelheim Switzerland, Basel, Switzerland.
Objectives: This abstract summarises the outputs of an
expert group of calf health professionals, who met remotely
to discuss this topic in October 2021. The objective was to
provide an updated, qualitative assessment of the current
challenges on farm with regards to calf scour, including diag-
nostic methods used and opportunities for improvement. The
ultimate objective was to help vets to re-establish themselves
as the go-to people for calf scour on farm.
Material and methods: A meeting was held on 6th October
2021, using the Zoom virtual meeting platform. Ten calf health
experts from across Europe and the Middle East attended,
along with 13 Boehringer Ingelheim technical managers with
extensive calf health experience. Six of the experts were in
the same room as their country BI technical managers. Partic-
ipants engaged in a 2 hour workshop, covering 4 main areas,
with interaction through the Miro whiteboard platform. Firstly,
participants were asked about the rational and emotional chal-
lenges of veterinarians and farmers from calf scour. Secondly,
participants considered the methods of detecting the causes
of and contributors to diarrhoea, and methods of treatment.
Thirdly, participants were asked to consider the strategies for
dealing with these causes. And lastly, participants were asked
to consider the opportunities for reducing the impact of calf
diarrhoea.
Results: In considering the rational challenges of diar-
rhoea in calves for the vet and farmer, there is often poor un-
derstanding among farmers of the disease, including econom-
ic impact, and the need for prevention as well as treatment.
Investigation of a disease outbreak often requires a much
larger investigation to consider underlying contributing factors
such as general health status, hygiene, nutrition and the trans-
fer of passive immunity. Farmers find treatment difficult and
time-consuming, therefore it needs to be straightforward, and
involvement of the vet is required to help appreciate the “big-
ger picture”. Vaccination should have a good ROI and farmers
must remember to continue vaccinating after the disease has
gone.
When considering the emotional challenges of diarrhoea,
the vet needs to be recognised as the expert and to feel con-
fident in the interventions they recommend. The vet needs to
feel empathy with the farmer, recognising the extra workload
that disease brings to farmers, as well as sharing the decision
“journey” in developing interventions. The farmer cares about
their animals’ welfare, seeing healthy animals makes them
feel good and they want to make sure their farm practices are
the best they can be. They want more than just medicines and
vaccines from their vet and need a good relationship if they are
to bring the best to their farm. They want to be confident in the
sustainability of their enterprise, but also have time to spend
with their family now. They also want to give a good image to
the public by producing good, high-quality food.
When considering the methods of identifying the causes
of diarrhoea, a standard clinical examination, as well as an
investigation of the overall farm environment and calf nutri-
tion, are essential. Antigen tests (cow-side and laboratory) and
other diagnostic opportunities may more specifically identify
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an infectious cause. Farm audit and investigation of colostrum

management are also of value. Farmers are often reluctant to
support a full farm audit owing to the cost and time required,
even though non-specific factors may be more significant in
some outbreaks.
On-farm opportunities to reduce the impact of calf diar-
rhoea focus around creating a pride in producing a high-qual-
ity, high-welfare animal, and improving education and under-
standing of the disease (including economic impact) by the
farmer, with the provision of formalised, specific treatment pro-
tocols and improved data recording. Ensuring good colostrum
management is still considered an opportunity for improving
calf health, and technological opportunities to improve the
monitoring of calf health are considered valuable.
Conclusions: The diverse group of calf health experts
identified that there is much potential for improvement on
farm with regards to calf scour. This is despite the relatively
widespread use of vaccines, however the vet has, in some
instances, become disconnected from this discussion. The
consensus of this Calf Expert Group was that vets are ideally
positioned to provide a calf health solution, combining an un-
derstanding of and interventions in management, environment
and immunity of neonatal calves.
Keywords: Calf scour, diarrhoea, consensus, vaccine,
veterinary engagement.

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IV-01
Macrophages regulate neutrophils’ IL-1β  release in the
presence of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis
Iraia Ladero1, Angela Holder2, Jeannine Kolakowski2, Heather
Harris2, Joseba Garrido1, Natalia Elguezabal1, Dirk Werling2.
NEIKER – Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and
1
Development, Derio, Spain; 2Royal Veterinary College (RVC), Hatfield,
United Kingdom.
Objective: The main objective was to test the impact of IL-
1β secretion and extracellular trap (ET) formation by neutro-
phils on inflammasome activation of macrophages in response
to Mycobacterium bovis BCG (Mbv) and Mycobacterium avi-
um subsp. paratuberculosis (Map).
Material & Methods: Blood was extracted from healthy
cows (300 ml, n=5). Monocytes were isolated using anti-
CD14-coupled microbeads (Miltenyi®) after peripheral blood
mononuclear cell (PBMC) isolation with Lymphoprep®. 1x105
monocytes were grown in 96 well plates supplemented with
recombinant bovine M-CSF at 37°C and 5% CO2 for 7 days
to generate monocyte derived macrophages (MDMs). Neutro-
phils were isolated after the Lymphoprep® isolation step, by
hypotonic lysis to eliminate red blood cells and were seed-
ed 2x105cells/well in 96 well plates. Cultures of MDMs and
neutrophils from the same cow were incubated separately and
together. Cultures were stimulated with PMA, zymosan, Map
K10-GFP and Mbv-GFP and incubated for 4 hours at 37°C
and 5% CO2 in 96 well plates for fluorimetric estimation of ET
and in 24 well plates containing round-coverslides for ET visu-
alization by confocal microscopy after immunostaining against
histones and neutrophil elastase. IL-1β levels were measured
in culture supernatants with a specific bovine IL-1β ELISA kit
(Invitrogen®).
Results: Fluorimetric assay results revealed that ET re-
lease was higher in MDM-neutrophil co-cultures (Map: 16%,
Mbv: 18%) compared to neutrophils (Map: 12%, Mbv: 11%)
and MDM cultures (Map: 5%, Mbv: 9%) after stimulation with
mycobacteria.
MDM cultures showed more IL-1β release against Mbv
(55-60pg/ml) than MDM-neutrophil co-cultures (20-24pg/ml)
and neutrophil (21-22pg/ml) cultures. However, neutrophils
released more IL-1β when challenged with Map (57-68pg/ml)
than MDM- neutrophil co-cultures (13-19pg/ml) and MDM cul-
tures (27-38pg/ml).
ET formation was seen in neutrophil cultures stimulated
with Mbv or Map. MDMs with internalized Mbv and Map were
seen in MDM cultures. In MDM-neutrophil co-cultures, Mbv
and Map stimulation caused a loss of cell integrity leaving only
a few MDMs with internalized mycobacteria.
Conclusions: Neutrophils have been implicated in the
pathogenesis of bovine paratuberculosis (PTB) and tubercu-
losis (TB), but their role is not yet well defined and increasing
knowledge in this field can aid in better vaccine designing. IL-
1β has shown to be important for host resistance to human tu-
berculosis infection. Here we present data generated by using
an ex vivo assay designed to study the interaction of bovine
neutrophils with MDMs during mycobacterial infection.
ET release results suggest that this mechanism may not
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Immunology and Vaccinology
depend on the mycobacterial species. In contrast, the fact that
IL-1β release was higher in neutrophil cultures in response to
Map and higher in MDM cultures in response to Mbv suggests
a different mode of action that can be species dependent. As
far as we know, no one has described before the IL-1β produc-
tion in response to Map by neutrophils. These findings support
an important role of bovine neutrophils against Map triggering
the Th17 response through IL-1β release and starting an ef-
fective response phagocytosing and immobilising bacteria with
their NETs. As a consequence macrophages are attracted by
IL-1β production and phagocytose neutrophils, being provided
with the antimicrobial compounds that result from neutrophils’
first contact with MAP.
Keywords: Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculo-
sis, Mycobacterium bovis, Neutrophils, Macrophages, IL-1β.
IV-02
Efficacy of a live Trichophyton verrucosum vaccine for
control of bovine dermatophytosis in veal calves
Flaminia Valentini1, Isabella Nicola2, Edoardo Ramacciotti3, Alberto
Garofalo1, Giulia Cagnotti1, Antonio D'Angelo1, Paola Gianella1,
Claudio Bellino1.
1
Department of Veterinary Sciences, Torino, Italy; 2Université de
Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Canada; 3Veterinary practitioner, Torino,
Italy.
Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the safety
and the efficacy of a single dose injection of a commercially
available live Trichophyton verrucosum vaccine for control of
ringworm in veal calves.
Materials e methods: A blinded case-control clinical trial
was carried out on 709 veal calves of both sexes reared in
multiple stalls in two farms of Piedmont region, in which the
prevalence of dermatophytosis was about 30%. Animals of
both herds were randomly divided into two groups: Exp) ex-
perimental group (n = 340) and Ctr) control group (n =369). In
each group, calves with and without dermatological lesions
were matched. The Exp group received a single dose of the
commercially available live vaccine against Trichophyton
verrucosum (TRICHOBEN, Bioveta a.s) inoculated intramus-
cularly in the neck 20 days after their arrival in farm (T0),
while the control group did not receive anything. Calf were
examined at T0 and at 5 subsequent experimental times:
T1=35 d; T2= 55 d; T3= 75 d; T4= 80d; T5 = 95d. A thor-
ough physical examination was performed in order to identify
possible local or systemic side effects and a dermatological
examination was performed in order to assessed the number
of lesions of ringworm (typical annular, rick, grayish-white
crust lesion) present on each calf. Data was expressed as
mean ± standard deviation (SD). The Student t test and the
z statistic were then used in order to assess differences be-
tween groups over experimental times. Statistical differences
were set at p <.05. The Bonferroni p correction method was
used for multiple comparisons. Statistical analysis was per-
formed using R 3.4.3.
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ORAL — Immunology and Vaccinology
Results: No local or systemic side effects were observed
in animals that received a single dose of the vaccine.
Overall, 217 out 709 calves (30.6%) showed lesions of
ringworm at T0. The percentage of animals of the Exp group
that showed dermatological lesions was 32,4% (n=110) at T0,
17,4% (n=59) at T1, 10,3% (n= 35) at T2, 1,2% (n=4) at T3,
0,6% (n= 2) at T4 and 0,3% (n=1) at T5. The percentage of
animals of the Ctr group that showed dermatological lesions
was 29,0% (n=107) at T0, 19.5% (n=72) at T1, 8,4% (n= 31)
at T2, 3,2% (n=12) at T3, 1,3% (n= 5) at T4 and 0,5% (n=2) at
T5. Overall, the number of calves that showed dermatological
lesions decreased significantly in both herds and groups over
all experiment intervals (p < .0001). No statistical differenc-
es were found between Ctr and Exp group over experimental
times (p < .05). The average number of lesions recorded per
animal in Exp group was 9,01 (± 9,9) at T0, 7,1 (± 10,1) at T1,
3,2 (± 2,9) at T2 and 3 (± 1,8) at T3. Two calves showed 2
lesions at T4 while one showed 3 lesions at T5. The average
number of lesions per animal recorded in Ctr group was 9,2
(± 13,3) at T0, 9,1 (± 12,1) T1, 8,7 (± 14,0) at T2 and 5,5 (±
6,4) a T3 and 5,8 (± 4,3) at T4. Two calves showed 1 and 9
lesions respectively at T5. The average number of lesions did
not significantly differ between Ctr and Exp group over the five
experimental times (p > .05).
Conclusions: The results of the present study suggest
that ringworm had a high prevalence among veal calves.
Since Trichophyton verrucosum infection is influenced largely
by immunological status, young animals are probably the most
susceptible. As previously reported for different vaccine formu-
lations, any local or systemic effect following vaccine admin-
istration was observed in the present study. When comparing
the experimental and control groups, a single administration
of a T. verrucosum live vaccine to veal calves with ringworm
did not seem to hasten the resolution of lesions. However, the
significantly decrease of infected animals in the non vaccinate
group suggests that spontaneous recovery, with a low spread
of the disease, is likely in younger veal calves. Further studies
are needed to evaluated if a protocol with 2 vaccine injection
could increase the efficacy of the commercial live vaccine in
preventing/treating Trichophyton verrucosum ringworm in veal
calves.
Keywords: Bovine dermatophytosis, Trichophyton verru-
cosum, live vaccine, veal calves.
IV-03
A step toward an effective vaccine against Staphylococcus
aureus mastitis in a mouse model
Kamila Reis Santos1, Fernando Nogueira Souza2, Marcos Bryan
Heinemann1, Eduardo Milton Ramos Sanchez3, Luiza Campos Reis3,
Hiro Goto3, Adriano França Da Cunha4, Mônica Maria Oliveira
Pinho Cerqueira4, Camila Freitas Batista5, Alice Maria Melville Paiva
Della Libera1.
1
Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia da Universidade
de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; 2Universidade Federal da Paraíba,
Paraíba, Brazil; 3Instituto Medicina Tropical da Universidade de São
Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; 4Escola de Veterinária da Universidade
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
268
Federal de Minas Gerais, Minas Gerais, Brazil; 5Universidade Cruzeiro
do Sul, São Paulo, Brazil.
Vaccines for bovine S. aureus intramammary infections
(IMIs) have been pursued for decades and approaches have
focused mainly on opsonic antibody response aiming anti-
body-mediated bacterial clearance. However, immunoglobu-
lins do not provide enough protection, and consequently the
available mastitis vaccines only result in the reduction of the
severity of clinical cases and increase the odds of cure of
pre-existing cases of S. aureus IMIs. To be effective, the ideal
S. aureus mastitis vaccine should either prevent infection or
clear the bacteria from the mammary gland shortly after infec-
tion. It would seem that S. aureus mastitis vaccine that meets
these criteria has not been developed yet. Thus, here we
aimed to evaluate the expansion of a protective population of
γδ T cells subpopulation (Vγ4+) in mice vaccinated with three
Staphylococcus aureus recombinant proteins with a potential
to prevent new intramammary infections in association or not
with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-
CSF) DNA vaccine, which could boost antigen presentation.
For the present study were used 18 mice (six mice per group)
C57bl/6J lineage with six weeks of age. The animals were
divided in three groups, each group with a different vaccine
protocol. Firstly, we produced three S. aureus recombinant
proteins ATP synthase subunit alpha (SAS); succinyl-diamino-
pimelate desuccinylase (SDD); and cysteinyl-tRNA synthetase
(CTS), that was previously identified as potential candidates
for preventing new IMIs in a previous study carried out by our
research group using serum immunoproteomics. Beyond that,
we also produce a DNA vaccine for granulocyte-macrophage
stimulating factor (GM-CSF). The first group (G1) received the
recombinant proteins and saponin as adjuvant at days 14, 28
and 42, and the second group (G1) received the same recom-
binant proteins and the GM-CSF at day 0. The third group (G3)
received just the adjuvant saponin and serve as a unvaccinat-
ed control group. The spleen’s γδ T cells subpopulation (Vγ4+)
was determined by flow cytometry using a specific monoclonal
antibody. We choose this population because the expansion
of this lymphocyte population has been associated with pro-
tective against subsequent infections. The data were analyzed
using the FlowJo software (Becton, Dickinson and Company,
Oregon, United States). Statistical analysis was performed
using GraphPad Prism 7 (GraphPad Software, Inc., San Di-
ego, USA). Firstly, the data were tested for normality of the
distribution using the Shapiro-Wilk test. As the data showed
Gaussian distribution, the data were subjected to a variance
analysis followed by Tukey’s test. The animals that received
the three Staphylococcus aureus recombinant proteins with
a potential to prevent new intramammary infections together
with the GM-CSF DNA vaccine showed the highest percent-
age of this cell population .(4.40 + 8.53; P = 0.01), followed by
those that received just the recombinant proteins (2.94 + 0.28;
P = 0.03), which both are statistically different from the unvac-
cinated control group (2.65 + 0.38). Thus, our immunogenicity
findings indicated that these recombinant proteins identified in
a previous serum immunoprotemic study have an important
property associated with protective immunity against S. au-
reus infection.
Keywords: Mastitis, immune response, protective immu-
nity, vaccine, Staphylococcus aureus.

IV-04
Assessment of in vivo immune and health status parameters
in Holstein-Friesian calves fed milk replacer supplemented
with microalgae displaying in vitro macrophage-
stimulatory activity
Ana Rita Violante Pedro1, Margarida Rosa Garcez Maia2, Elisabete
Gomes Martins3, Carla Mendonça4, Isabel Costa Ramos5, Catarina
Gonçalves6, Tânia Lima7, Cátia Mota8, Joana Laranjeira9, Ana Rita
Cabrita2, António Mira Da Fonseca2, Manuel Vilanova10, Alexandra
Correia10.
1
ICBAS/i3S/LAQV/REQUIMTE-UP, Porto, Portugal; 2LAQV/
REQUIMTE/ICBAS-UP, Porto, Portugal; 3ADM/EPIUnit-UP/
EUVG, Coimbra, Portugal; 4Centro de Estudos de Ciência Animal-
Instituto de Ciências, Tecnologias e Agroambiente-UP, Porto, Portugal;
5
Cooperativa Agrícola de Vila do Conde CRL, Vila do Conde, Portugal;
6
International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Braga, Portugal;
7
i3S/IBMC-UP, Porto, Portugal; 8ICBAS/LAQV/REQUIMTE-UP,
Porto, Portugal; 9Allmicroalgae, Pataias, Portugal; 10ICBAS/i3S-UP,
Porto, Portugal.
Objectives: Morbidity in newborn calves derives most
commonly from gastrointestinal infections and respiratory syn-
dromes. Although difficult to precise and extremely variable
among regions, it has devastating effects on animal welfare
and on long-term productivity and profitability. Most neonatal
diseases derive from an imbalance in the pressure posed by
pathogens in the surrounding environment and the host im-
mune response to these pathogens. Maintaining good man-
agement practices is crucial to control morbidity rates; never-
theless, strategies that could enhance calves’ immunity would
be helpful in preventing disease, animal loss, suboptimal per-
formance, and the overuse of antibiotics. Dietary supplements
have been used to enhance calves’ innate and acquired im-
munity. Yeast-derived beta-glucans trigger Dectin-1-mediat-
ed signalling, inducing epigenetic changes in innate immune
cells, which result in a higher response to a subsequent stim-
ulus (innate memory). Although scarcely studied, microalgae
are promising alternatives as immune-modulators, due to their
content of polyunsaturated fatty acids, organic minerals, be-
ta-glucans, and antioxidants. This work addressed the effects
of digestion products of microalgae on bovine innate immune
cells and the use of microalgae as dietary supplements to new-
born calves. We aimed at characterizing the in vitro response
of macrophages to these dietary supplements and the zootech-
nical performance and immune parameters of newborn calves
fed milk replacer supplemented with 1% Chlorella vulgaris.
Material and methods: In vitro assay: Peripheral blood
monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM), from eight Hol-
stein-Friesian calves, were stimulated with digestion products
of C. vulgaris, Nannochloropsis oceanica and Tetraselmis sp.
Monogastric (pre-ruminant) in vitro digestion of microalgae
was performed according to previously described methodol-
ogy. Two different dilutions of digestion products (1:10; 1:100)
were used as representative of 2 and 0.2% supplementation,
respectively, considering a daily intake of 8 L of milk replacer.
Cytokine production (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, IL1β, IL-10), cytokine
mRNA expression (TNFA, IL6, IL8, IL10, IL1 β, IL12A, IL12B
and IL23A), and reactive-oxygen species (ROS) production
were evaluated.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Immunology and Vaccinology
In vivo assay: fourteen male Holstein-Friesian calves, 10
days old, were randomly allocated to control (milk replacer)
and experimental (milk replacer with 1% C. vulgaris) groups.
Prior to the beginning of the trial, animals were weighted, clin-
ical evaluation was performed, and blood was collected for
serum IgG and complete hemogram evaluation. Calves were
fed 7 L of milk replacer (140 g/L) in two equal meals for 42
days. Starter feed, meadow hay and freshwater were provided
ad libitum. Milk intake and refusals, faecal scores and health
parameters were recorded. Animals were periodically weighed
to evaluate average daily gain. Faeces were collected for pH,
short-chain fatty acids and microbiome profiling. Blood was
collected for hemogram and serum cytokine evaluation and
to isolate peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) for as-
sessment of proliferation and cytokine production in response
to mitogens; peripheral blood monocytes were challenged with
several toll-like receptor (TLR) and C-type Lectin-like recep-
tor (CLR) agonists to evaluate cytokine expression, and MDM
were used for phagocytosis assays.
Results: Digestion products of C. vulgaris, N. oceanica,
and Tetraselmis sp., induced mRNA expression and produc-
tion of all assessed cytokines, as well as of ROS by MDM.
These results indicate that microalgae supplementation has
a stimulatory effect on bovine macrophages. The in vivo sup-
plementation of replacer milk with C. vulgaris had no nega-
tive impact on average feed intake, average daily gain, and
health parameters. Serum cytokines and innate immune cells’
response (cytokine mRNA and protein expression, phagocy-
tosis) were similar between control and experimental groups.
Also, no differences were found between groups regarding
MDM phagocytosis capacity or PBMC proliferation. Assess-
ment of faecal pH, short-chain fatty acids and microbiome pro-
filing is currently ongoing.
Conclusions: Microalgae had an immunostimulatory ef-
fect on bovine macrophages. However, supplementation of
calves’ milk replacer with 1% C. vulgaris did not result in signif-
icant alterations in the evaluated parameters. Higher inclusion
levels of C. vulgaris may be necessary to evidence putative
immunomodulatory effects of C. vulgaris supplementation on
immune and growth parameters in newborn calves.
Funding: This work received financial support from Fun-
dação para a Ciência e Tecnologia/Ministério da Ciência, Tec-
nologia e Ensino Superior (FCT/MCTES) through the project
UIDB/50006/2020 and through the Project AlgaValor from
Portugal 2020 (POCI-01-0247-FEDER-035234; LISBOA-01-
0247-FEDER-035234; ALG-01-0247-FEDER-035234). AP
was supported by phD grant PD/BDE/135540/2018 from FCT/
MCTES, ADM Portugal S.A., and Cooperativa Agrícola de
Vila do Conde. MM was supported by FCT through program
DL57/2016–Norma transitória (SFRH/BPD/70716/2010).
Keywords: Bovine, microalgae, dietary supplementation,
cytokines.
269
ORAL — Immunology and Vaccinology
IV-06
Comparison between immune response observed in cattle
vaccinated with a traditional toxoid vaccine or with the
recombinant Hc-domain of botulinum neurotoxin type C
and D
Luca Zandonà1, Elena Tonon1, Matteo Cornaggia1, Adriana Di
Castri1, Ilenia Dirigo1, Christelle Mazuet2, Alessia Rizzardi1, Joachim
Frey3, Luca Bano1.
1
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Diagnostic and
Microbiology Laboratory, Treviso, Italy; 2Institut Pasteur, Centre
National de Référence des Bactéries anaérobies et du Botulisme, Paris,
France; 3Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Berne, Bern, Switzerland.
Objective: In the present study, we compared the immune
response occurring in cows immunized with the recombinant
heavy chain (Hc) domain of Clostridium botulinum neurotoxin
(BoNT) type C and D (HcBoNT/C and HcBoNT/D), with that
elicited by a commercial toxoid-based vaccine.
Materials and methods: Ten male calves, four-month-old,
were vaccinated twice with a bivalent (C and D) traditional tox-
oid-based vaccine and ten male calves, hosted in the same
stable, at the same age, were vaccinated with three doses of
the Hc-BoNT recombinant vaccine. HcBoNT/C and HcBoNT/D
were expressed in Escherichia coli and purified as previously
described (1). Besides, five calves were injected three times
with the only adjuvant, while other five were untreated and
were included in the study as negative control. All in vivo ex-
periments were approved by the ethical committee and autho-
rized by the Italian Ministry of Health (n° 417/2017-PR).
Serum samples were collected before the first vaccination
and three weeks after the second and the third vaccination.
To evidence the antibody response, two ELISA tests were de-
veloped in-house using the immunogens as capture antigens.
The neutralizing antibodies were investigated by means of a
mouse protection assay (MPA) performed with BoNT type C,
D and D/C (2). The neutralizing titer was quantified using two
reference antitoxins.
Results: The group of cows vaccinated with the recombi-
nant vaccine showed an average antibody titre of 1.031 ELI-
SA units (EU) for type C and 1.14 EU for type D. In contrast,
the average titre in animals vaccinated with the bivalent toxoid
vaccine was lower, i.e. 0.461 EU for type C and 0.182 for type
D.
The average antibody titers in untreated animals and an-
imals inoculated with the adjuvant were 0.171 EU and 0.097
EU, respectively.
After two vaccinations, the mouse protection assay per-
formed with BoNT type C revealed average neutralizing titers
of 5.1 International Units (UI)/ml in bovines vaccinated with
the recombinant vaccine or 0.625 UI/ml in those vaccinated
with the toxoid vaccine. Despite the high humoral response
evidenced by ELISA, the mouse protection assay performed
with BoNT type D/C did not show any protection titre after two
vaccinations and the antibody response recorded after the
third vaccination was equal (1.25-2.5 UI/ml) to that obtained
with the toxoid vaccine after two vaccinations. This result is
probably due to the limited homology of the HcBoNT/DC with
the HcBoNT/D (37%) and HcBoNT/C (77%) (3). The means of
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
270
the neutralizing serum titers against BoNT/D were 2.06 UI for
bovines vaccinated with the toxoid-based vaccine and 4.87 UI
for bovines immunized with the recombinant vaccine.
Conclusions: A two-dose subcutaneous immunization
with the recombinant vaccine stimulated a robust humoral re-
sponse compared with control groups.
Our results demonstrate that the neutralizing antibodies
titers against BoNT/C and BoNT/D stimulated by the recom-
binant vaccine were respectively 8 and 2 times higher than
those of the classic toxoid vaccine included in the study. The
recombinant vaccines encompass the immunogenic part of
the protein that is biologically inactive, and does not contain
formalin, hence it represents a safer tool for operators. The
lack of protective antibodies against BoNT D/C in sera of bo-
vines vaccinated with the recombinant peptides can be ex-
plained with the low structural homologies between the C-ter-
minal-Hc of BoNT/DC and the C-terminal-Hc of BoNT/D (37%)
and BoNT/C (77%). To prevent bovine botulism sustained by
BoNT/DC, a new subunit vaccine set up with the C-terminal
part of the heavy chain of the mosaic BoNT/DC should be test-
ed.
References:
1. Stahl C., Unger L., Mazuet C., Popoff M., Straub R.,
Frey J. (2009) “Immune response of horses to vacci-
nation with the recombinant Hc domain of botulinum
neurotoxin types C and D”. Vaccine 27: 5661–5666.
2. Hatheway C.L., Dang C. (1994) “Immunogenicity of
the neurotoxins of Clostridium botulinum”. In: Jankovic
J., Hallett M. (eds) Therapy with botulinum toxin. Mar-
cel Dekker, New York, pp 93–107
3. Nakamura K., Kohda T., Shibata Y., Tsukamoto K.,
Arimitsu H., Hayashi M., Mukamoto M., Sasakawa N.,
Kozaki S. (2012) “Unique biological activity of botuli-
num D/C mosaic neurotoxin in murine species”. Infect
Immun 80:2886-2893.
Keywords: Botulism, recombinant vaccine, cattle.
IV-07
Reduction in BRD cases and antibiotics consumption using
dry cow vaccination combined with early intranasal calf
vaccination in a commercial Danish dairy farm
Jørgen Kragsig Olesen1, Jonna Hjorth2, Henrik Schmidt2, Marina
Solé3, Martijn Seelie3.
Kvægdyrlægerne Midt, Bording, Denmark; 2HIPRA Nordic ApS,
1
VEJEN, Denmark; 3HIPRA laboratorios, Amer, Spain.
Objectives: Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) has a
considerable negative impact on production economics and
on calf welfare, as well as a major impact on antibiotic con-
sumption. The objective of this case study was to measure
the changes in number of BRD treatments and the impact on
antibiotic usage in the period 1-120 days of life when vaccinat-
ing dry cows with HIPRABOVIS® SOMNI/Lkt (M. haemolytica
leucotoxoid & H. somni vaccine - HIPRA) in combination with

early intranasal calf vaccination with NASYM (live attenuated
BRSV vaccine - HIPRA).
Materials and methods: A closed 285-cow dairy herd lo-
cated in Denmark, with an average of 14 heifer calves born per
month, experienced massive BRD problems among calves
from the first days of life until 2 months of age.
Newborn calves are fed 3.8 L of good quality colostrum
(Brix>22%) and are housed individually the first two days of
life. After this they are housed in pairs. From approximately
three weeks of age, they are housed 6 calves per pen.
Vaccination protocol: Dry cows are vaccinated subcuta-
neously with HIPRABOVIS® SOMNI/Lkt around dry-off and a
2nd dose 3-4 weeks later. NASYM is applied intranasally in
calves during the first week of life.
Treatment data were gathered from April 2019 until De-
cember 2021.
A period of 12 months of vaccination is compared with a
12-month period prior to vaccination. An analysis of the first
120 days of life of all heifers born during the two periods has
been performed. Bull calves are not included in the dataset as
they are sold at the age of 2-5 weeks.
The number of BRD treatments and days under treatment
pre- and post-vaccination was compared in order to estimate
the impact of vaccination on the disease. Treatments are con-
sidered as a new case if there are 14 days or more between
cases.
Results: Heifers born during the vaccination period had a
significantly lower risk of experiencing one or more BRD treat-
ments during their first 120 days of life compared to the heifers
born during the 12-month period prior to the start of vaccina-
tion. The average number of BRD treatments per heifer was
significantly reduced, from 1.04 before the start of vaccination
to 0.36 in the vaccination period (p<0.001). A significant re-
duction was seen in the percentage of animals treated (from
73.5% to 30.8% p<0.001), and in the risk of being treated
more than once (from 23.9% to 4.1% p<0.001).
If we consider the number of therapeutic days, there is a
significant reduction from 8.62 before vaccination to 1.92 days
of treatment per animal in the vaccination period, which means
a reduction of 78%, with a corresponding decrease in antibi-
otic consumption.
The reduction in therapeutic days was significant through-
out the entire study (p<0.001) but was highly significant from
1-60 days of life.
Conclusions: On a 285-cow dairy farm with known respi-
ratory problems in calves, dry cow vaccination with HIPRA-
BOVIS® SOMNI/Lkt and intranasal vaccination of the young
calves with NASYM resulted in a reduction of average number
of BRD treatments per animal from 1.04 to 0.36 (p<0.001).
The number of therapeutic days was reduced significantly
by 78% (p<0.001), with a corresponding decrease in antibi-
otic consumption. The reduction was noted in both the num-
ber of animals treated, and in the risk of being treated more
than once. The reduction in therapeutic days was significant
throughout the entire study (p<0.001) but was highly signifi-
cant from 1-60 days of life.
Keywords: BRD, VACCINATION, Intranasal, passive im-
munity, cow vaccination.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Immunology and Vaccinology
IV-09
Single-shot vaccines against bovine respiratory syncytial
virus (BRSV): comparative evaluation of long-term
protection after immunisation in presence of BRSV-specific
maternal antibodies
Jean François Valarcher1, Sara Hägglund1, Katarina Näslund1, Luc
Jouneau2, Ester Malmström3, Olivier Boulesteix4, Anne Pinard4, Dany
Leguéré4, Alain Deslis4, David Gauthier4, Catherine Dubuquoy2,
Vincent Pietralunga2, Aude Rémot5, Alexander Falk6, Ganna
Shevchenko7, Sara Bergström Lind7, Claudia Von Brömssen8, Karin
Vargmar9, María Jose Rodriguez10, Marga Garcia Duran10, Isabelle
Schwartz-Cornil2, Geraldine Taylor11, Sabine Riffault2.
1
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Dept. of Clinical Sciences,
Ruminant medicine, Host Pathogen Interaction Group, Uppsala,
Sweden; 2Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, VIM, Jouy-en-
Josas, France; 3Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Dept. of
Clinical Sciences, Ruminant medicine, Host Pathogen Interaction
Group, Uppsala, France; 4INRAE, PFIE, Nouzilly, France; 5Université
de Tours, INRAE, ISP, Jouy-en-Josas, France; 6Uppsala University,
Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry-BMC, Uppsala,
Sweden; 7Uppsala University, Analytical Chemistry, Department of
Chemistry-BMC, Uppsala, Sweden; 8Swedish University of Agricultural
Sciences, Dept. of Energy and Technology, Unit of Applied Statistics and
Mathematics, Uppsala, Sweden; 9Swedish University of Agricultural
Sciences, Dept. of Biomedicine and Veterinary Public Health, Uppsala,
Sweden; 10Inmunología y Genética Aplicada, S.A. (INGENASA),
Madrid, Spain; 11The Pirbright Institute, Woking, United Kingdom.
Objectives: The objectives of this work were to compare
the safety and the long-term clinical and virological protection
induced by three single-shot vaccines against bovine respira-
tory syncytial virus (BRSV) in calves with BRSV-specific ma-
ternally derived antibodies (MDA).
Materials and methods: Four groups of six 3.5 to 8 week-
old calves with BRSV-specific MDA were vaccinated either
with i) 100 μg of the stabilised pre-fusion form of the BRSV
F protein (PreF) in 2 ml ISA 61 VG adjuvant (MontanideTM,
SEPPIC, France) intramuscularly (i.m) ii) 5 x 106 PFU of ΔSHr-
BRSV intranasally (i.n) or iii) one dose of a commercial vac-
cine (CV) containing BRSV strain 375 (105.0-107.2 Cell Culture
Infective Dose 50 %, Zoetis, France) i.n., or iv) were inject-
ed with a placebo consisting of 2 ml of ISA 61 VG i.m. Three
months later, calves were challenged with BRSV Snook strain
by aerosol and were monitored during 13 days post challenge.
Clinical, immunological, virological and pathological investiga-
tions as well as mass spectrometry-based proteomic analyses
were performed to assess the vaccine efficacy and safety.
Results: In line with previous results from this experimen-
tal model, all controls developed mild to severe clinical signs
of respiratory disease. All vaccinated calves were clinically
protected to some extent. The PreF vaccine tended to afford
better clinical protection than either ΔSHrBRSV or the CV.
Virus RNA was detected by RT-qPCR, in all controls and in
all ΔSHrBRSV- and CV-immunised calves, but not in 3/6 and
4/6 PreF-immunised calves, in nasal secretions and broncho-
alveolar lavage (BAL), respectively. Based on the area under
the curves of the nasal virus shedding, PreF induced a 10-fold
better protection than ΔSHrBRSV and a 100-fold better pro-
271
ORAL — Immunology and Vaccinology
tection than the CV.
At necropsy, although performed 13 days post challenge,
lesions of interstitial pneumonia and emphysema were pres-
ent in 6/6 controls and 3/6 CV-vaccinated calves, whereas
none or only very limited lesions were observed in calves
vaccinated with PreF or ∆SHrBRSV. Histopathological anal-
ysis revealed an acute to subacute bronchointerstitial pneu-
monia in controls, with an increased infiltration of neutrophils
in the airways, compared to that in vaccinated calves. Based
on BAL cytology and proteomic data with a focus on neutro-
phil proteins, calves immunised with PreF or ΔSHrBRSV were
significantly better protected than those immunised with the
CV. Three PreF-immunised calves had the highest number of
eosinophils in a lung section, however no adverse clinical re-
actions were observed.
In contrast to ΔSHrBRSV and the CV, PreF induced
BRSV-specific humoral responses pre challenge in most an-
imals, such as BRSV-neutralising antibodies in 4/6 calves by
D56 post vaccination (PV) (36 days pre challenge). On D84
PV (8 days pre-challenge), PreF-vaccinated calves had sig-
nificantly higher titres of BRSV-specific serum IgG, and IgG1,
than those vaccinated with ΔSHrBRSV or the CV. Addition-
ally, BRSV-specific serum IgG2 levels tended to be high-
er in PreF-vaccinated calves than in calves immunized with
ΔSHrBRSV or the CV on D84 PV. All three vaccines primed
for rapid IgG responses following BRSV challenge and PreF
primed for neutralising antibodies, but not IgA, in contrast to
ΔSHrBRSV and the CV. BRSV-specific and IFNγ expressing
T cells were detected by ELISpot in two CV-immunised calves
84 days PV and in several calves in all groups 13 days PI, but
without any significant differences between calves from the
different groups.
Conclusions: The i.m. PreF-based BRSV-vaccine in-
duced slightly better clinical protection and a stronger viro-
logical protection than the two i.n. live-attenuated vaccines
(ΔSHrBRSV and CV), in calves having BRSV-specific MDA
at vaccination. Overall, ΔSHrBRSV performed better than the
CV for pathological and virological protection. No safety prob-
lems were observed after vaccination and challenge. Finally,
as a subunit vaccine, PreF allows the development of a DIVA
(differentiation between infected and vaccinated animals) test
that can facilitate monitoring the efficacy and the safety of the
vaccine in the field. The vaccine can additionally be used in
control programs.
Keywords: BRSV, vaccine, PreF, ΔSHrBRSV, long-term
protection.
IV-10
Immunoglobulin G levels in beef cow colostrum in Finland
Tuomo Kähkönen1, Heli Simojoki1, Heidi Härtel2, Tuire Tuukkanen2,
Maiju Pesonen3.
1
University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; 2HKScan Finland Oy, Turku,
Finland; 3Natural Resources Institute Finland, Ruukki, Finland.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
272
Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate and de-
termine the immunoglobulin G content of colostrum in Finn-
ish beef cows by digital Brix refractometer and ELISA (en-
zyme-linked immunosorbent assay). Colostrum quality of beef
cows has not previously been studied in Finland at the cow or
farm level.
Material & Methods: The study was conducted on Finnish
beef cow farms in the spring of 2021. Colostrum samples were
collected from 19 farms. The farm collected calving and co-
lostrum related data and took colostrum samples; in total 137
colostrum samples; 6 to 25 samples per farm. The colostrum
samples were frozen in the farm and sent later to laboratory.
The breeds of the cows were Hereford (n=37), Aberdeen an-
gus (n=42) and other beef breed (n=43). Immunoglobulin G
(IgG) levels were evaluated via total solids with a digital Brix
meter (Atago PAL-S, Atago CO, Japan) and determined by
ELISA (Bovine IgG ELISA kit, Bethyl Laboratories, Inc., Texas,
USA). The measurement results were collected in an Excel
(Microsoft Office 365) and the statistical analysis was per-
formed with Stata software version 17.0 MP-Parallel Edition,
(Texas, USA). The association of IgG content and variables
was evaluated with a regression model. Variables included to
the colostrum model were farm, parity and breed of the dam.
The correlation between Brix measurement and IgG was test-
ed with Pearson pairwise correlation test.
Results: Total solids Brix percentages of the beef cow's
colostrum were median 24.5%, mean 24.7% and standard de-
viation (sd) 3.84%. Immunoglobulin G levels in the beef cow's
colostrum were median 122.0 g / l, mean 128.7 g / l and sd
40.5 g / l. Dam’s parity did not affect the IgG results of colos-
trum(p> 0.05). Breed and farm were highly associated to each
other and both were associated with IgG when set separate-
ly into the final model. Aberdeen angus cows had higher IgG
content in colostrum compared to Herefords or the group other
breeds (coeff 23.8; p=0.006). Also the farm was associated to
the IgG content of colostrum (Wald’s test p=0.02). The lowest
herd level mean IgG content was 89.3 g / l, and highest 173,0
g /l.
Conclusion: IgG levels in beef cow's colostrum were suffi-
cient in all farms. IgG levels in beef cow colostrum differed be-
tween breeds and farms. Affordable Brix meters can be used
as a tool to predict colostrum quality to ensure sufficient calf
immunity in beef farms.
Keywords: Beef cow, Colostrum, IgG, Brix, ELISA.
IV-11
Evaluation of the influence of vaccination with a Type 1 and
Type 2 BVDV vaccine on the milk yield of lactating cows
Lucy Metcalfe1, Kathrin Sommer2, Christian Guidarini1, Matthew
Yarnall1.
1
Boehringer Ingelheim, Ingelheim, Germany; 2Boehringer Ingelheim,
Hannover, Germany.
Objective: To determine whether there was an influence
of vaccination with Bovela on milk yield in lactating dairy cows

under field conditions.
Materials and Methods: This field study was a random-
ized, blinded and negative controlled study according to the
principles of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) in lactating cows.
A total of 139 lactating cows in their high lactation phase, be-
tween 1 month after calving and 6 months of lactation, with
different serological BVDV status were included in the study.
Seven of the study animals were excluded before adminis-
tration of IVP. Sixty-six (66) animals (group 2) were vaccinat-
ed once with a commercial titre of 105 TCID50 / 2 ml vaccine.
The same number of animals in the control group (group 1)
received 2 ml of solvent (WPBS). The test and control items
were administered intramuscularly (i.m.) in the same manner.
Daily milk yield, compared between both groups, was the
primary parameter measured using an automatic milking sys-
tem from one week before (day post vaccination (DPV) -7)
vaccine administration until day 21, termination of the study.
The experimental unit was the lactating cow. For each animal
a baseline was calculated as the mean of the daily milk yields
of DPV-7 – 0. The absolute changes from baseline and per-
cent changes from the preceding seven days were calculated
per animal for each day post vaccination (study days 1 – 21)
and the mean daily milk yields were calculated per animal for
each study week post vaccination. The period after vaccina-
tion was divided into 3 segments (DPV 1-7, DPV 8-14 and
DPV 15-21).
Other parameters investigated were BVD-related clinical
signs, rectal temperature, mastitis, injection site and BVDV-1
and BVDV-2 specific antibodies.
Results: The mean daily milk yield ranged between mini-
mum of 26.43L on DPV 9 and a maximum of 29.07L on DPV
17 in group 1 and a minimum of 26.40L on DPV 7 and a max-
imum of 29.13L on DPV 17 in group 2.
No statistically significant difference were observed be-
tween group 1 and group 2 with regard to mean daily milk
yield when comparing the three different periods (DPV 1-7,
DPV 8-14 and DPV 15-21) after vaccination as well as be-
tween group 1 and group 2 with regard to changes from base-
line when comparing the three periods after vaccination. No
changes in mean milk yield of 10% or more was detected
when comparing the daily mean milk yield of both groups to
the milk yield of the seven preceding days.
The mean rectal temperature post vaccination stayed with-
in the physiological range. There were no BVD-related clinical
signs or reactions at the injection site reported. Antibody titres
of the vaccinated group showed a statistically significant in-
crease from study day (SD) 0 to 21 for both BVDV types. The
antibody titre of the vaccinated group was also significantly
higher than of the control group on SD21.
Conclusion: The primary parameter milk yield was evalu-
ated between both study groups and revealed no statistically
significant difference between vaccinated and control groups
after vaccination. This demonstrates that there is no influence
of vaccination with Bovela on milk yield. The vaccine is safe for
use in lactating cows under field conditions.
Keywords: Vaccination, BVDV, bovine viral diarrhoea,
milk yield.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Immunology and Vaccinology
IV-12
Impacts of meloxicam on IBR, BRSV, PI3, and CV titers
and morbidity when administered concurrently with a
modified-live respiratory vaccine in abruptly-weaned beef
calves
Elizabeth R. Homerosky, Craig Dorin.
Veterinary Agri-Health Services, Ltd., Airdrie, Canada.
Objectives: The use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatories
(NSAIDs) to mitigate pain and inflammation following stressful
events or painful procedures has become common practice in
the beef industry. However, a recent in-house study revealed
that calves administered meloxicam on arrival at the feedlot
were more likely to be treated for bovine respiratory disease
(P=0.035). It remains unknown if the increased risk was due
to impaired inflammatory response, decreased vaccination re-
sponse, or a combination thereof. The objective of this study
was to determine the effect of meloxicam on vaccination re-
sponse and health by measuring titers for infectious bovine
rhinotracheitis (IBR), bovine respiratory syncytial virus, para-
influenza 3, and coronavirus at three time points during the
feeding period.
Materials and Methods: For this randomized controlled
blinded clinical trial, 271 abruptly-weaned 650lb. steer calves
were inducted into a single pen at an Alberta feedlot during
October 2018. Upon induction, a venous blood sample was
collected and calves received a 5-way modified-live respira-
tory vaccine, 8-way clostridial vaccine, growth implant, anthel-
mintic, and macrolide antibiotic. Calves randomly allocated to
the control group (N=135) were administered saline, whereas
calves allocated to the experimental group (N=136) received
injectable meloxicam. Subsequent blood samples were col-
lected at day 7 and 21 to measure early and peak immune
response. Antibody titers were quantified using an ELISA test
and results were interpreted by an immunologist. Calves were
monitored daily for clinical signs of disease and treatments
were recorded until an out-weight was measured at day 45.
Results: There were no differences in the direction and
magnitude of antibody titers between treatment groups. Addi-
tionally, there were no differences in the proportion of calves
that seroconverted to any of the viruses at day 7 and 21 be-
tween treatment groups except for IBR. At day 21 a greater
proportion of calves in the meloxicam group seroconverted
to IBR compared to the saline group (P=0.01). Morbidity was
associated with treatment group as all four treated calves re-
ceived meloxicam on arrival (P<0.05) and a single calf sub-
sequently died. There were no differences in performance
parameters at any handling events between treatment groups.
Conclusion: The association between meloxicam and in-
creased morbidity is unclear, however decreased vaccination
response is likely not a contributing factor. Stress associated
with abrupt weaning methods, coupled with concurrent admin-
istration of vaccines and long-acting NSAIDs likely creates a
complex immunological response. Further research is war-
ranted to explore the relationship between NSAID administra-
tion and health outcomes.
Keywords: NSAIDs, immunity, bovine respiratory disease,
feedlot, ELISA.
273
ORAL — Immunology and Vaccinology
IV-13
Disease Protection and Immunogenicity of Two
Commercial Intranasal Vaccines Evaluated with a BHV-1
Challenge of Weaned Beef Calves
Michael Bolton1, Philip Griebel2, Kevin Hill3, Scott Nordstrom3,
Geert Vertenten4.
Veterinary Consultant, Michigan, MI, United States; 2Intervac
1
University of Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan, Canada; 3Merck Animal
Health, Madison, NJ, United States; 4MSD Animal Health, Boxmeer,
Netherlands.
Objective: This study compared both immunogenicity and
disease protection between 2 commercial intranasal vaccines
(Nasalgen IP® and Inforce 3®), when used in beef calves and
challenged with BHV-1.
Materials and Methods: One hundred, 4 to 10 week-old
calves at processing were randomly assigned to five intrana-
sal treatment groups (n = 20/group): Group A - vaccine diluent
at processing and weaning, Group B – NasIP (Nasalgen IP®
) at processing and booster at weaning; Group C – vaccine
diluent at processing and primary NasIP at weaning; Group
D- Inf3 (Inforce 3®), at processing and booster at weaning;
and Group E –vaccine diluent at processing and primary Inf3
at weaning. The analysis of BHV-1 serum neutralizing anti-
body titres confirmed IN vaccination was performed with ma-
ternal antibodies present. All calves were removed from dams
at 5- 6 months of age and 14 healthy, BVDV negative calves
from each group were shipped the same day from the ranch to
the research station. The day after arrival, calves received the
designated weaning vaccination. Three days later all calves
were aerosol challenged with BHV-1 and monitored daily for
clinical respiratory signs, body weight, and rectal temperature.
Nasal secretions and serum samples were collected to quan-
tify innate and acquired immune responses.
Results: Analyses of clinical responses following BHV-1
challenge revealed mean rectal temperatures among all vac-
cinated animals were significantly (p≤0.0001) lower than ani-
mals receiving diluent. Weight loss following BHV-1 infection
was reduced compared to controls in all vaccination groups
(p<0.0001). Differences in temperature and weight were sig-
nificant among vaccination groups but were numerically small.
Over the duration of the study all vaccinate groups shed
less virus than the diluent control calves. Inf3 booster vacci-
nation significantly (p=0.0008) reduced virus shedding when
comparing to primary Inf3 vaccination. NasIP booster group
shed significantly (p<0.0007) less virus beginning on day 4
post-infection. However, a significant reduction in virus shed-
ding was not observed until day 5 post-infection with both Inf3
booster vaccination (p=0.0001) and NasIP primary vaccination
(p=0.03). The primary Inf3 vaccination significantly reduced
virus shedding only on day 6 (p=0.04) and day 9 (p=0.001)
post-infection and this group did not significantly (p=0.197) re-
duce the number of days virus was shed compared to the con-
trol group. In contrast, NasIP primary (p=0.017), NasIP boost
(p=0.0007), and Inf3 boost (p<0.0001) significantly reduced
the number of days on which individual animals shed virus.
IFN alpha and gamma secretion was significantly
(p<0.0001) lower in all vaccinate groups compared to the con-
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
274
trol group. Both booster groups had significantly lower IFN
alpha and IFN gamma secretion (p<0.0001) compared to pri-
mary vaccination groups.
The NasIP booster group was the only group displaying
a significant increase in BHV-1 serum IgG antibody titres
three days after booster vaccination compared to controls
(p<0.0001) and all other vaccine groups (p<0.0003). There
were no significant differences in BHV-1-specific IgA antibody
responses among treatment groups during the post challenge
period (p=0.60).
Conclusions: Differences in primary and boostered
groups demonstrated that NasIP and Inf3 intranasal vaccina-
tion of young calves, when neutralizing maternal antibody was
present in blood, induced BHV-1 specific immune memory that
persisted for at least 4 months in the upper respiratory tract,
evident primarily as significantly greater reductions in body
temperature and IFN secretion post challenge. Primary vacci-
nation with NasIP resulted in a more rapid onset of reduction in
virus shedding compared to primary vaccination with Inf3 and
primary NasIP vaccination resulted in a significant reduction in
the number of days virus was shed but primary Inf3 vaccina-
tion did not. When comparing booster vaccination with NasIP
and Inf3 there were small but significant differences in clinical
disease but not virus shedding. The NasIP booster group was
the only group to show a significant (p=0.0003) increase in
specific serum IgG three days after booster vaccination.
Keywords: Intranasal vaccines, BHV-1, protection, immu-
nogenicity.
IV-14
Iron supplementation modulates the early immune
response after intranasal vaccination of calves
Hans-Joachim Schuberth1, Alina Kauke1, Lennart Golbeck2, Walter
Grünberg2, Imke Cohrs3, Theresa Scheu3, Esther Humann-Ziehank4.
University of Veterinary Medicine / Institute for Immunology,
1
Hannover, Germany; 2University of Veterinary Medicine / Clinic for
Cattle, Hannover, Germany; 3Educational and Research Centre for
Animal Husbandry, Hofgut Neumuehle, Münchweiler an der Alsenz,
Germany; 4LABVETCON - Laboratory Veterinary Consulting,
Burgdorf, Germany.
Objectives: Iron is involved in immune cell differentiation,
metabolism and function. We addressed the question whether
iron supplementation and the route of supplementation affects
the response of calves towards an early intranasal vaccination
with a live vaccine.
Materials and methods: A total of 29 healthy, purebred
Holstein-Friesian calves were randomly assigned into one
of three groups. Calves were born to pluriparous cows over
the course of 11 months. Within 1h of birth calves received
4L of fresh colostrum from their respective dam (voluntary +
rest drenched) and were treated with either a subcutaneous
injection of 1000mg Fe3+ (INJ, n = 10), 1050 mg Fe3+ mixed
into the colostrum (ORAL, n = 9) or with 0.9% NaCl as a sham
treatment (CON, n = 10). Calves were then transferred to iglus

for 21 days and grouped thereafter. 10L of fresh milk from the
own dam were fed for 5 days, feeding was then switched to
10L of milk replacer (1500 g/d, 15% DM, 65 mg FE/kg).
Calves were intranasally (i.n.) vaccinated at day 11 (be-
tween day 8 and 14 post natum) with a modified life vaccine
against parainfluenza 3 and bovine respiratory syncytial virus
(Bovalto Respi® intranasal). Heparinized blood was taken
immediately before i.n. vaccination and 24 hours later. Major
blood leukocyte subpopulations (granulocytes, lymphocytes,
monocytes) were quantified flow cytometrically after hypotonic
blood lysis. Mononuclear cells obtained after density gradient
centrifugation were incubated with bovine-specific directly
labelled monoclonal antibodies and cellular subpopulations
(CD4+, CD8+, and gd T-cells, CD21+ B-cells, CD21-/MHC
class II+ lymphoid cells, NK cells, classical, intermediate and
non-classical monocytes) were determined flow cytometrical-
ly. Changes in leukocyte subpopulation numbers and ratios
between cell types (24 h after vaccination versus before vac-
cination) were recorded as fold changes (FC). At day 30 (be-
tween day 28 and 32 post natum) all calves were vaccinated
subcutaneously (s.c.) with an inactivated vaccine (Bovalto Re-
spi® 3). Calves were categorized into those showing a swell-
ing within 2 days at the injection site (SWELL+) and those with
no side effect (SWELL-).
Results: Within the ORAL group, intranasal vaccination
resulted in significant FCs > 1 of total leukocytes (FC: 1.10, p =
0.008), lymphocytes (FC: 1.35, p = 0.006), CD2+ T cells (FC =
1.6, p = 0.04), gd T cells (FC = 1.32, p = 0.012). The monocyte/
lymphocyte ratio was significantly lower (FC = 0.79, p = 0.009)
and the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio dropped in tendency (FC
= 0.87, p = 0.098). Within the INJ group, the numbers of CD4+
T cells dropped in tendency (FC = 0.85, p = 0.078) whereas
the ratio between intermediate and non-classical monocytes
displayed a significant rise (FC = 1.34, p = 0.0425). CON
calves responded with a significant higher CD4/CD8 ratio (FC
= 1.29, p = 0.033). The numbers of CD21-/MHC II+ lymphoid
cells dropped in tendency (FC 0.86, p = 0.094), whereas num-
bers of intermediate (FC = 1.28, p = 0.078) and non-classi-
cal monocytes (FC = 1.38, p = 0.080) tended to rise. After s.
c. vaccination on day 30, 1/9 ORAL calves, 4/10 INJ calves
and 3/10 CON calves were SWELL+ (chi2, p > 0.1). SWELL-
calves differed significantly (p < 0.02) from SWELL+ regarding
their previous response after i.n. vaccination: SWELL- calves
displayed positive FCs of lymphocytes (FC= 1.24 ± 0.08),
CD4+ T-cells (FC = 1.61 ± 0.22) and CD8+ T cells (FC = 1.04
± 0.12). FCs of SWELL+ calves were < 1 (lymphocytes: FC =
0.85 ± 0.07; CD4+ T cells: FC = 0.66 ± 0.09; CD8+ T cells: FC
= 0.69 ± 0.06).
Conclusions: Intranasal vaccination generates signals
resulting in an altered circulation behavior of immune cell sub-
populations and/or their release from primary and secondary
immune organs. Iron supplementation and the route of sup-
plementation alters vaccination-induced changes of leukocyte
subpopulation numbers in blood. A lack of side effects after
s.c. vaccination in calves responding with raised numbers of
circulating lymphocytes after i.n. vaccination, more frequently
seen in orally iron supplemented calves, supports route-spe-
cific immune modulatory effects of iron supplementation.
Keywords: Iron supplementation, calves, vaccination, im-
mune response.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Immunology and Vaccinology
IV-15
Comparing the effects on calf health after use of a
commercially available Mycoplasma bovis vaccine in dairy
herds in Scotland
Graeme Fowlie.
Meadows Veterinary Centre, Oldmeldrum, Inverurie, United Kingdom.
Objectives: Mycoplasma bovis is a bacterial pathogen of
cattle with rising significance in the UK. With variable clinical
signs such as pneumonia, mastitis and lameness causing
substantial morbidity and mortality in all age groups and cattle
systems coupled with difficulties in diagnosis and treatment
Mycoplasma bovis control presents a real challenge to the cat-
tle industry. Control methods of M. bovis infection include ex-
tended antibiotic courses metaphylactically, segregating and
culling animals and pasteurising colostrum. Improvements in
herd biosecurity has been recommended to prevent disease
incursion into negative herds. Vaccination using autogenous
vaccines has been used for some time in the UK with positive
results in published data. A commercial 3-strain M. bovis vac-
cine available in the US, but not Europe, was acquired for this
study. There is very limited published data on the efficacy of
any commercially available M. bovis vaccine. The objectives
of this study were to evaluate this commercial vaccine under
UK field conditions in terms of safety, ease of incorporation
into existing vaccine protocols (i.e. proof-of-concept), reducing
mortality and reducing antimicrobial use in dairy calves up to
200 days old.
Materials and Methods: 4 dairies in North-East Scotland
with evidence of mycoplasma herd infection and calf pneu-
monia were selected for vaccination, 4 other dairies were ob-
served as controls. 902 calves born prior to vaccination (first
time-period) and 680 calves born after vaccination was com-
menced (second time-period) were observed up to 200 days
old for antibiotic use and mortality. Cows were vaccinated
once at drying off (8 weeks pre-calving). Calves were vacci-
nated at 4 weeks of age. No changes to pre-existing farm vac-
cine protocols or routine herd management were made on any
of the 8 farms during the study. A Kruskal-Wallis Rank Sum
Analysis was performed on mortality data. Antibiotic usage
was analysed using a Student’s Independent T-Test two-sam-
ple assuming unequal variance. Vaccine safety and ease of in-
corporation into existing vaccine protocols was assessed with
herd manager discussions.
Results: No adverse reactions were reported during
the study in either calves or cows. All farms enrolled in the
study successfully completed the vaccine protocols in cows
and calves. All farms continued to use the vaccine after the
conclusion of the study. There was a significant reduction in
post-weaning mortality after vaccination in the second time
period (P<0.02). There were 31 deaths in pre-vaccination
born calves during the post weaning period (n=534), there
were 2 deaths in the post-vaccination born calves during the
post-weaning period (n=398). Calves born on non-vaccinating
farms showed a slight increased mortality risk in the second
time-period. There was a significant reduction in antibiotic
usage after vaccination compared to control farms (p<0.05).
Vaccinating farms purchased 70.2% less antibiotics after vac-
cination. Control farms (with qualifying data) purchased 33.9%
275
ORAL — Immunology and Vaccinology
more during the second time-period.
Conclusions: This preliminary study demonstrated the
safety and proof-of-concept of a commercially available Myco-
plasma bovis vaccine in UK dairy herds. Due to study design
and data gathering insufficiencies the significant reductions in
post-weaning mortality and antimicrobial usage can only be
broadly suggestive of an effect of the vaccine. Further work on
assessing the effect of this vaccine in European cattle herds
infected with M. bovis is warranted.
Keywords: Mycoplasma bovis, vaccine, dairy calves.
IV-16
Evaluation of health and lactation performance of dairy
heifers supplemented with colostrum during the pre-
weaning period
Jenna Stockler1, Manuel Chamorro1, Thomas Passler1, Herris
Maxwell1, Manuel Campos2, Tom Earleywine3, Debbie Haines4.
1
Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn, Alabama,
United States; 2Saskatoon Colostrum Company Ltd., Saskatoon,
Canada; 3Land O' Lakes Animal Milk Products, Dane County, United
States; 4University of Saskatchewan College of Veterinary Medicine,
Saskatoon, Canada.
Objectives:  To determine if supplementing dairy heifers
with 60 g of colostrum-Immunoglobulin G (IgG) in the daily
milk-replacer ration during the first 75 days of life resulted in
lower incidence of health  events, greater first-lactation milk
production, and greater survival to second lactation compared
with age-matched dairy heifers that did not receive IgG sup-
plementation.
Materials and Methods: A randomized controlled clinical
trial was performed. Thirty Holstein heifers from a single dairy
herd were separated from the dam immediately after birth
and received 300 g of IgG from a colostrum-derived commer-
cial colostrum replacer within 6 hours of birth. At 24 hours of
age (Day 1), heifers were assigned to two different treatment
groups. Group CR (n=15) received 150 g of a commercial co-
lostrum replacer containing 30 g of IgG mixed with 304 g of a
commercial milk replacer twice  daily  until weaning  (day 75).
Group MR (n=15) received 453 g of milk replacer with no co-
lostrum replacer supplementation twice daily until weaning
and acted as the control group. Blood samples were collected
from all heifers at birth, at 24 hours of life to evaluate serum
total protein (STP) and serum IgG levels. On-farm personnel
blinded to treatment allocation monitored the calves daily and
recorded morbidity and mortality events as well as treatments.
Individual body weights were collected from all heifers monthly
until calving. Milk production was recorded during first lacta-
tion and the corrected 305 Mature-Equivalent (ME) milk pro-
duction was calculated for each heifer.
Results:  During the pre-weaning period (Days 1 to 75),
a greater proportion of diarrhea events and treatments were
recorded in the MR group compared with the CR group (P <
0.05); however, respiratory disease, umbilical infection, joint
infection and other morbidity  events were similar between
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
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treatment groups (P > 0.05). Mortality was not observed
among treatment groups during the pre-weaning period. The
mean serum IgG and STP at 24 hours were similar between
CR (27.6 g/L and 6.32 g/dL, respectively) and MR (26.42 g/L
and 6.17 g/dL, respectively) calves (P > 0.05). Individual body
weights were similar among treatment groups from birth to
weaning and from weaning to calving (P > 0.05). The mean
corrected 305-ME lactation was similar among heifers from
the CR and MR groups (P > 0.05); however, survival to sec-
ond lactation was greater in the CR group (P < 0.05). A greater
number of heifers in the MR group were culled due to health
reasons compared with heifers from the CR group (4 vs. 0,
respectively).
Conclusions: The administration of 300 g of IgG through
a colostrum-based commercial colostrum replacer to newborn
calves results in serum IgG levels superior to what is consid-
ered excellent transfer of passive immunity (25 g/L) in dairy
calves. Supplementation of dairy heifers with colostrum IgG
throughout the pre-weaning period results in disease-sparing
effects that extend to the start of the second lactation.
Keywords: Colostrum, IgG, Diarrhea, Survival, Lactation.
IV-17
Cellular and humoral immune response elicited in cattle
through combined mucosal and systemic immunization
with Neospora caninum membrane antigens
Alexandra Correia1, Carla Mendonça2, Margarida Duarte Araújo3,
Mariana Resende1, Elena Pérez Antón4, Luzia Teixeira5, António
Rocha2, Manuel Vilanova1.
1
Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, University of Porto;
i3S/IBMC, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; 2Instituto de Ciências
Biomédicas Abel Salazar, University of Porto; Centro de Estudos de
Ciência Animal-Instituto de Ciências, Tecnologias e Agroambiente,
University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; 3Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas
Abel Salazar, University of Porto; LAQV/REQUIMTE, University of
Porto, Porto, Portugal; 4i3S/IBMC, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal;
5
Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, University of Porto;
Unidade Multidisciplinar de Investigação Biomédica, University of
Porto, Porto, Portugal.
Neospora caninum is an obligatory intracellular protozoan
causative of abortion and stillbirths in cattle posing an esti-
mated global economic burden exceeding one billion dollars
per year to dairy and beef industries and farms. Vaccination
is considered the most cost-effective approach to manage
neosporosis, however no commercial vaccine is currently
available to prevent this disease. We have developed an ex-
perimental intranasal vaccine against neosporosis, using N.
caninum membrane antigens (NcMP) plus CpG adjuvant, that
conferred IFN-gamma-dependent long-term protection to mice
challenged with this protozoan.
Objectives: We aimed at improving the immunogenicity
and mucoadhesiveness of this experimental vaccine in cattle
by adding an additional adjuvant and administration route.
Material&Methods: Holstein calves were immunized by in-

tranasal administration of bovine-specifc CpG and NcMP, plus
a carbomer-based adjuvant. To enhance the systemic immune
response elicited by the reformulated mucosal immunization,
we combined the intranasal administration with a subcutane-
ous boost of NcMP plus CpG. Cellular and humoral responses
were evaluated in immunized and sham-immunized calves.
Expression of genes encoding putative antimicrobial proteins
was evaluated in bovine monocyte-derived macrophages in-
fected with N. caninum and stimulated with IFN-gamma.
Results: The immunized calves presented elevated levels
of parasite-specific IgG and IgA antibodies. Peripheral blood
mononuclear cells collected from the immunized animals re-
stimulated ex vivo with N. caninum antigens showed a marked
proliferative response and elevated production of IFN-gamma.
This host protective cytokine induced the in vitro upregulation
of genes related with NO and ROS production, and autophagy
in bovine monocyte-derived macrophages. These results show
that the used immunization strategy induces parasite-specific
humoral and cellular immunity in the bovine host. Additionally,
it also stimulates the IL-12/IFN-gamma axis, a key protective
mechanism against neosporosis.
Conclusion:  Taken together, these results suggest that
this optimized immunization approach may induce a protective
response in cattle, a hypothesis that is currently being tested
in calves.
Funded by FEDER through COMPETE 2020 and FCT -
PTDC/CVT-CVT/31020/2017.
Keywords: Neospora caninum, mucosa, vaccination,
IFN-gamma.
IV-18
Effectiveness of two intranasal vaccines for the control of
Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) in newborn beef calves
Nicolas Masset1, François Meurens2, Maxime Marie1, Pauline Lesage1,
Anne Lehébel2, Nadine Brisseau2, Sébastien Assié2.
INRAE, Oniris, BIOEPAR / SELAS EVA, Réseau Cristal, Nantes /
1 conditions.
Argentonnay, France; 2INRAE, Oniris, BIOEPAR, Nantes, France.
Objectives: Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus (BRSV)
is a major cause of Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) in
newborn calves worldwide. Vaccination is widely used to pre-
vent BRD and BRSV intranasal vaccines were developed to
overcome interference with BRSV-specific maternally derived
antibodies (MDA). Many experimental challenge trials have
proven BRSV intranasal vaccine efficacy, but evidence of ef-
fectiveness under field conditions is still lacking, especially
for newborn beef calves. The objective of this study was to
compare the effectiveness in preventing BRD of a newly avail-
able commercial BRSV and BPI-3 intranasal vaccine (Boval-
to Respi® Intranasal, Boehringer-Ingelheim) with that of the
benchmarked one (Rispoval® RS + PI3 Intranasal, Zoetis) in
newborn beef calves reared in a cow-calf farming system in
France.
Materials and methods: A randomized non-inferiority
multicenter trial was carried out to assess whether Bovalto
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
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Respi® Intranasal was at least as effective as Rispoval® RS
+ PI3 Intranasal, with a pre-stated margin of non-inferiority δ
for the prevention of BRD in newborn beef cattle. Sample size
was determined to demonstrate non-inferiority assuming α =
0.05, β = 0.20, δ = 0.05 and a prevalence of BRD in the ac-
tive control vaccine group of 10%. Primary outcome was BRD
cases during the in-housed risk period up to 3 months after
vaccination. The statistical analysis of the primary outcome
was carried out using a mixed logistic regression model. The
variable in-housed risk period was kept in the model to adjust
BRD occurrence to the variation of the duration of exposition
to pathogens between calves. Least squares means were cal-
culated from the model and used to calculate the difference
in BRD prevalence between vaccine groups PBRD(Bovalto Re-
spi® Intranasal) - PBRD(Rispoval® RS PI3 Intranasal) and its
95% confidence interval (CI). Secondary outcomes were com-
pared between the two vaccine groups using the chi-squared
test or Fisher test (mortality and lethality of calves, as well as
antibiotic, non-steroidal and steroidal anti-inflammatory treat-
ments administered during the in-housed risk period) and Stu-
dent’s t-test (time between the vaccine administration and the
occurrence of BRD).
Results: A total of 935 Charolais calves from 39 farms
were enrolled and randomized into 2 vaccine groups (Boval-
to Respi® Intranasal n = 468; Rispoval® RS PI3 Intranasal n
= 467). Age at vaccination, duration of in-housed risk period,
parity of dams, sex ratio, and occurrence of diseases before
vaccination do not significantly differ between the two exper-
imental groups. There was no significant difference between
the two vaccines regarding the occurrence of BRD during
in-housed risk period. Using least squares means of model
outcome, the difference of prevalence PBRD(Bovalto Respi®
Intranasal) - PBRD(Rispoval® RS PI3 Intranasal) was estimated
at -0.4%, 95% CI = [-1.6% ; 0.8%]. Moreover, no significant dif-
ferences were observed between vaccines regarding mortali-
ty, lethality, duration between vaccination and the occurrence
of BRD or treatments in the 2 groups.
Conclusions: Bovalto® Respi Intranasal is at least as
effective as Rispoval® RS PI3 Intranasal for the prevention
of BRD in newborn beef calves in a cow-calf system in field
Keywords: BRD, BRSV, Newborn Calf, Intranasal Vac-
cine.
IV-19
Systemic and local immune responses of beef calves
vaccinated post transportation and at the time of a mild
respiratory tract infection
Victor Cortese1, Amelia Woolums2, Brandi Karisch2, Thomas Short3,
Merrilee Thoresen2, Peres Badial2.
Zoetis, Simpsonville, United States; 2Mississippi State University,
1
Mississippi State, United States; 3Zoetis, Parsippany, United States.
Objective: To assess the effect of transportation on im-
mune responses to vaccination in calves.
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ORAL — Immunology and Vaccinology
Materials and Methods: Seventy-five weaned beef calves
were randomly assigned to one of three groups (n=25). Group
1 was not transported (NTV) while groups 2 (TV) and 3 (TUV)
were transported for 12 hours (day 0). Twelve hours later, NTV
and TV were vaccinated intranasally with modified live bovine
respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), bovine herpesvirus −1
(BHV-1) and parainfluenza virus type 3(PI3V), and subcutane-
ously with modified live bovine viral diarrhea (BVDV) 1 and 2
with Mannheimia haemolytica (Mh) leukotoxoid vaccine. Nasal
secretions and serum were collected pre and post vaccination
for measurement of nasal interferon alpha, beta, and gamma
and IgA to BHV-1 and BRSV, and serum neutralizing (SN) ti-
ters to BHV-1, BRSV, and BVDV 1 and 2.
Results: At vaccination some cattle had nasal discharge,
fever, and coughing. Nasal swabs tested for common respira-
tory viruses pre-vaccination were negative. During the study,
5 cattle were treated for naturally occurring BRD. The BHV-1
and BVDV 1 and 2 SN titers were significantly higher in vacci-
nated than nonvaccinated calves on days 14 and 21. BVDV2
titers were significantly higher in TV than NTV. Response to
vaccination was demonstrated in the systemic, but not nasal
antibody responses.
Conclusions: This study demonstrates that cattle can
mount a humoral response to vaccination in spite of transport
and respiratory disease. Differences in serum and nasal re-
sponses further demonstrates the division between the local
and systemic immune systems.
Keywords: Mucosal, immunity, vaccination, stress,
shipping.
IV-21
Vaccination against Salmonellosis in veal farms in the
Netherlands is an effective prevention method to reduce the
use of antimicrobials
Niels Geurts1, Henk Kuijk2, Geert Vertenten2.
DAP Thewi, Tilburg, Netherlands; MSD Animal Health, Boxmeer,
1 2
Netherlands.
Objectives: Salmonellosis has been recognized as a dis-
ease in cattle all over the world for several decades. It has
primarily been associated with S. enterica subsp. enterica se-
rovar Dublin (S. Dublin) and S. enterica subsp. enterica se-
rovar Typhimurium (S.Typhimurium). In view of the economic
importance to the cattle industry and the potential to infect the
human population, different vaccines have been developed.
The objective of this study was to evaluate effect of vaccina-
tion with an inactivated Salmonellosis vaccine on mortality and
reduction of antimicrobial use in veal farms in the Netherlands.
Materials & Methods: Forty-one animal groups in 6 Dutch
veal farms with a history of both S. Dublin and S. Typhimurium
were involved in the studies. Sixteen groups were vaccinated
with an inactivated Salmonellosis vaccine (Bovivac® S, MSD
Animal Health) according to the product data sheet and the
other groups remained unvaccinated against Salmonellosis.
The vaccinated groups were compared to the non-vaccinated
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
278
groups over a rearing period of 25 to 26 weeks for mortality,
daily antibiotic dose, daily antibiotic dose as defined by the
SDa (Netherlands Veterinary Medicines Institute), the rearing
cost per calf and the rearing cost per calf excluding vaccina-
tion.
Results: In total 42620 animals were included in the study:
17839 vaccinated and 24781 not vaccinated. The average
animal group was 1115 and 991 animals for respectively the
vaccinated and non-vaccinated groups. The average mortality
was 2.54% in the vaccinated and 3.54% in the non-vaccinated
group (p<0.001). The daily antibiotic dose (real and the one
as defined by SDa) was significantly lower in vaccinated an-
imals compared to non-vaccinated animals: 30.56 vs 40.20
daily dosages (p= 0.001) for the real daily antibiotic use and
13.06 vs 18.20 daily dosages (p=0.009) for the daily antibiotic
dose as defined by the SDa. Finally, the average rearing costs
were slightly higher in vaccinated (17.64 euro) compared to
non-vaccinated animals (17.21 euro), but if the rearing cost ex-
cluding vaccination is considered, it is significantly (p=0.012)
lower in the vaccinated group.
Conclusions: Vaccination against Salmonellosis with an
inactivated vaccine is beneficial in Dutch veal conditions as
there is less mortality and a strong reduction in antimicrobial
use.
Keywords: Salmonellosis, vaccination, veal, antimicrobial
reduction.
IV-22
The effect of local and systemic passive immunity acquired
from maternal colostrum on clinical protection of beef
calves against experimental challenge with BRSV.
Manuel Chamorro1, David Martinez1, Thomas Passler1, Ricardo
Stockler1, Gage Raithel1, Scott Silvis1, Merrilee Thoresen2, Paul Walz1,
Amelia Woolums2.
Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn, Alabama,
1
United States; 2Mississippi State University College of Veterinary
Medicine, Starkville, Mississippi, United States.
Objectives: 1.  To determine if vaccination of beef cows
during the last trimester of gestation with two doses of an in-
activated bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) vaccine re-
sulted in greater transfer of local and systemic BRSV-specific
passive immunity through maternal colostrum. 2. To determine
the role of  nasal BRSV-IgG-1 and IgA  and serum neutraliz-
ing antibodies transferred from maternal colostrum on clinical
protection of beef calves against experimental challenge with
BRSV.
Materials & Methods: A randomized, controlled, clinical
trial was performed. Forty, 3-month-old Black Angus-cross
beef steers were assigned to 1 of 2 treatment groups. Group
Vacc (n=20) nursed colostrum from cows vaccinated with 2
doses of an inactivated-BRSV vaccine before calving. Group
NoVacc (n=20) nursed colostrum from unvaccinated cows. At
3 months of age, calves were challenged with BRSV by intra-
nasal nebulization. Following challenge, respiratory signs were

scored. Nasal secretion and serum samples were collected
before and after challenge for BRSV-specific nasal IgG1, IgA,
and serum neutralizing antibody testing. Nasal secretion sam-
ples were collected after challenge for identification of BRSV
by RT-PCR.
Results:  Following BRSV challenge, mild respiratory
scores were recorded in both groups (P > 0.05). The propor-
tion of calves with fever (rectal temperature > 39.7 C)  was
greater in NoVacc calves. Nasal BRSV IgG-1 titers and serum
neutralizing antibodies were greater in Vacc calves at 48 hours
of life (P < 0.05); however, decayed similarly in  both groups
by 3 months of age  (P > 0.05). Nasal BRSV IgA titers were
non-existent following colostrum intake and before BRSV
challenge and increased similarly (P > 0.05) in both groups af-
ter challenge. Calves in the NoVacc group had a higher proba-
bility of shedding BRSV in nasal secretions after challenge (P
< 0.05). A greater proportion of NoVacc calves tested positive
by BRSV RT-PCR after challenge (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: Vaccination of beef cows during the last tri-
mester of gestation with two doses of an inactivated BRSV-vac-
cine was safe and resulted in greater transfer of local and
systemic passive immunity to their calves. Moderate to low
levels of BRSV serum neutralizing antibodies provide clinical
protection against experimental challenge with BRSV. Nasal
BRSV IgG-1 and IgA transferred from maternal colostrum do
not play an important role on clinical protection of 3-month-old
beef calves against experimental challenge with BRSV.
Keywords: Colostrum, IgG-1, IgA, neutralizing, BRSV.
IV-23
Evaluation of the cell-mediated immune response of
dairy cattle vaccinated with an autogenous vaccine
against mastitis sustained by Staphylococcus aureus and
Streptococcus agalactiae
Matteo Cornaggia1, Genovese Serena2, Valentina Bertazzo2, Katia
Capello2, Giulia Zarpellon2, Tiziana Ferro2, Lucillo Cestaro3, Giulio
Severi4, Annalisa Stefani2, Luca Bano2.
1
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Padova - Istituto
Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia ed Emilia-Romagna,
Brescia, Italy; 2Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie,
Padova, Italy; 3Veterinary Practitioner, San Donà di Piave, Italy;
4
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Umbria e Marche, Perugia,
Italy.
Objective: Mastitis causes heavy economic losses in the
dairy industry due to milk discharge, therapeutic costs, and
culling rate of infected animals4.
Staphylococcus aureus (SAU) and Streptococcus aga-
lactiae (SAG) are important contagious bacteria agents of
mastitis of cattle. In positive herds, their widespread is usually
contained through the application of high hygienic standard
measures, segregation, and blanket dry cow treatments that
lead to a high consumption of antibiotics.
For this reason, authorities and consumers encourage the
development of effective alternatives to the antimicrobial ad-
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Immunology and Vaccinology
ministration such as vaccines. Many vaccines against mastitis
due to SAU have been tested with debated results, especially
in field conditions1,3.
The aim of our work was to evaluate the cell-mediated
immune response elicited by a bivalent tailor-made vaccine
produced with SAU and SAG as inactivated antigens, in field
conditions.
Materials and methods: The herd was composed by 89
lactating Friesian cows hosted in the same experimental con-
dition and served by an automatic milking system.
SAU and SAG were previously detected in the bulk tank
milk. Bacteria were cloned and a tailor-made bivalent inac-
tivated vaccine was prepared with a final concentration of
7.5x108 UFC/ml.
Eighty-two subjects were vaccinated twice (V group) while
7 subjects served as negative controls (C) and received only
the placebo composed of the adjuvants and vaccine medium
without bacteria.
The peripheral whole blood and the individual milk sam-
ples were collected from 7 animals randomly selected within
the V group and 7 from the C group at 0, 1, 2 and 3 months
after the first immunization.
The cell mediated response was investigated by flow cy-
tometry on the blood samples measuring the lymphocytes T
CD4+ and CD8+ previously stimulated in vitro for 24h with
heat-shocked cultures2 (HSC) of SAU and SAG, and the lym-
phocyte activation pattern CD25+ was recorded. Concanav-
alin A (ConA) and PBS stimulation were used as a positive and
negative control respectively.
Linear mixed models were adopted to evaluate the effects
of groups (V and C), type of stimulation (SAG, SAU, ConA or
PBS) and sampling time on parameters.
Results: Differences in cell response were significant
(p=0.001) when blood was incubated in the wells with HSC,
ConA and PBS. Statistical analysis revealed a significant dif-
ference in the increase expression of CD4+CD25+ against
SAG (p= 0.0037) in the V group after the immunization. No
differences were recorded for SAU vaccination.
Bacteriological evaluation of the individual milk resulted
negative to SAG while 1 subject resulted positive to SAU in
the V and C groups, respectively.
Conclusions: The study of the antigen-specific cellular
subsets activated in response to SAG and SAU was aimed to
achieve an in vitro test for cell-mediated response evaluation
to study the effectiveness of vaccine against bovine mastitis.
The specific increase expression of CD4+CD25+ lympho-
cytes in the V group against SAG suggest that vaccination is
able to stimulate properly the cells of the immune system and
this observation is supported also by the nonproliferation in the
C group which received only the adjuvant.
The poor results obtained with SAU are probably due to
the expression of S. aureus exotoxins that act as superanti-
gens and result in the overproduction of cytokines and activa-
tion of T cells that make the measurement inconclusive.
This preliminary study needs further confirmation in experi-
mental conditions to better understand the role of the vaccines
in the stimulation of the cell-mediated immune response for
the prevention of mastitis in cattle.
279
ORAL — Immunology and Vaccinology
References:
1. Bröker, B. M., Mrochen, D., Péton, V. (2016). The T
cell response to Staphylococcus aureus. Pathogens.
2. Brown, A. F., Murphy, A. G., Lalor, S. J., Leech, J. M.,
O’Keeffe, K. M., Mac Aogáin, M., McLoughlin, R. M.
(2015). Memory Th1 cells are protective in invasive
Staphylococcus aureus infection. PLoS Pathogens.
3. Pereira, U. P., Oliveira, D. G. S., Mesquita, L. R., Cos-
ta, G. M., Pereira, L. J. (2011). Efficacy of Staphylo-
coccus aureus vaccines for bovine mastitis: a system-
atic review. Veterinary microbiology.
4. Ruegg, P. L. (2017). A 100-Year Review: Mastitis de-
tection, management, and prevention. Journal of dairy
science.
Keywords: Dairy cows, flow cytometry, vaccine, mastitis.
IV-24
UK study: comparing antibody quantities in commercial
calf scour pastes vs. the same volume of colostrum from
cows vaccinated with a commercial calf scour vaccine
Kat Baxter-Smith1, Robert Simpson1, Geert Vertenten2.
MSD Animal Health, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom; 2MSD Animal
1 this study based on average scour paste antibody levels, giv-
Health, Boxmeer, Netherlands.
Objectives: Neonatal calf diarrhoea (scour) is a common
and costly disease on farm. There are many preventative ap-
proaches which can be undertaken to reduce the incidence
and severity of this disease. It has been demonstrated pre-
viously that feeding colostrum with high levels of antibodies
is protective against calf scour1,2. No published peer-reviewed
evidence could be found on a literature search for the effica-
cy of scour pastes in preventing calf scour, however a recent
survey completed by 479 UK cattle farmers revealed that they
rated dam vaccination and scour pastes as equally efficacious
scour prevention tools3.
Little information is available regarding quantity of antibod-
ies in commercial scour pastes, therefore the aim of this study
was to measure antibody levels of rotavirus and coronavirus
in commercially available calf scour pastes, and compare the
results with the same volume of colostrum from cows vaccinat-
ed with a commercial calf scour vaccine (Rotavec® Corona,
MSD Animal Health). This vaccine is licensed to reduce the
incidence and severity of calf scour by raising the level of an-
tibodies to rotavirus, coronavirus and E. coli K99 in the dam’s
colostrum.
Materials and Methods: Six different popular commercial
scour paste brands were sourced from various agricultural
trade stores. 2 tubes of each brand were purchased.
Samples of colostrum from 13 randomly selected heifers
and cows which had been vaccinated during pregnancy with
a commercial calf scour vaccine (Rotavec® Corona; as per
SPC) were collected directly after calving and transported to
the lab.
Rotavirus and coronavirus antibody titres in all samples
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
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were determined using a standard fluorescent antibody virus
neutralisation test in all samples of colostrum and scour paste.
The antibody titres reported were the reciprocal of the final
dilution at which significant neutralisation of the virus by the
sample was still seen.
Results: From the 12 scour pastes that were tested; there
was an average virus neutralisation antibody titre of 10800
(min 80, max 81920) for coronavirus and 4341 (min 40, max
14482) for rotavirus.
The average virus neutralisation antibody titres of the
same volume of colostrum from the vaccinated cows and heif-
ers was 57383 (min 7241, max 81920) for coronavirus and
33846 (min 10240, max 81920) for rotavirus.
Conclusions: The 6 brands of calf scour pastes tested in
this study contained on average markedly numerically lower
levels of rotavirus and coronavirus antibodies compared to the
same volume of colostrum from vaccinated cows. Although
often listed as components of the tested scour pastes in this
study, values for antibody quantities were not stated on the
‘contents’ or ‘ingredients’ labels. This study determined that
on average commercial scour pastes do contain substantially
lower levels of antibodies. The numerical value of antibody ti-
tres in the scour pastes varied considerably between brands.
Feeding a new-born calf 10% body weight (4L in a 40kg
calf) of colostrum in the first hours of life is recommended to
ensure a high level of passive immunity4. Using the results of
ing 4 Litres of scour vaccine-boosted colostrum would provide
the calf with the antibody equivalent of 700-1000 scour pastes
(paste size 30g).
Scour pastes are not licensed for the prevention of calf
scour and evidence is lacking to support their use for this
Therefore, this study illustrates that calf scour pastes are not a
suitable substitute for good colostrum management and dam
vaccination in preventing calf scour.
Farmers could be misinformed if they consider scour
pastes and vaccination as equally efficacious at preventing
calf scour; and more education from vets is needed.
Keywords: Calf scour, antibodies, scour paste, vaccine.
IV-25
Can an injectable trace element supplement increase the
immune response of dairy calves?
Andrew Bates1, Matt Wells2, Richard Laven3, Line Ferriman4, Axel
Heiser5, Clare Fitzpatrick6.
1
Vetlife Scientific Ltd, Temuka, New Zealand; 2Virbac Ltd, Hamilton,
New Zealand; 3School of Veterinary Sciences, Massey University, New
Zealand; 4Vetlife Ashburton, Ashburton, New Zealand; 5AgResearch,
Hopkirk Research institute, New Zealand; 6Department of Microbiology
and Immunology, Otago University, New Zealand.
Objectives: This study was carried out on a pastoral
spring calving dairy farm in New Zealand with approval from
Massey University Animal Ethics Committee. It was designed

to investigate the effect of TMS supplementation on the im-
mune system in young calves before weaning.
Recent New Zealand (NZ) work suggests that neo-natal
injection of a trace mineral supplement (TMS) containing cop-
per, selenium, manganese, zinc and chromium can reduce
morbidity and mortality on NZ dairy farms in the first 140 days
of life. Overseas, evidence from older calves indicates this
form of TMS leads to a heightened immune response. In light
of the association between TMS and reductions in morbidity
and mortality, this study was designed to investigate the effect
of TMS supplementation under NZ pastoral conditions on the
immune system in young calves before weaning.
Materials and methods: The first 40, Jersey-Friesian
cross-bred heifer calves born after the mid-point of calving on
a mid-Canterbury dairy farm (43.91° S, 171.75° E), were blood
sampled within 24 hours of birth for serum total protein, Cu,
Se and Zn. Thirty of these were selected, using stratified ran-
domisation to form two equal groups (treatment and control)
with the same distribution of serum total protein, Cu, Se, Zn
and for the breed and age. From the remaining 10 calves, five
were selected using stratified randomisation to form a sentinel
group to verify no field exposure to Salmonella sp. occurred
during the trial period.
All calves were housed in covered, open fronted bay-sheds
with solid walls up to 1.5m in groups of 10-12 and 1.5m2 allo-
cated space per calf. Treatment and sentinel groups were ran-
domly distributed amongst the housing groups. Calves were
bedded on wood chips which were topped up weekly and all
calves remained on the farm of origin for the period of study.
All calves received two injections of a killed vaccine con-
taining Salmonella typhimurium, S. bovis-morbificans, S. hind-
marsh and S.Brandenburg at two and six weeks of age. At the
same time as vaccination, the treatment group received an
injection of a TMS containing 40mg Zn, 10mg Mn, 5mg Se,
15mg Cu per ml. Sentinel animals received no injections. All
animals were bled weekly from 2-9 weeks. Samples were an-
alysed for neutrophil and monocyte phagocytic function, gam-
ma interferon response, Salmonella sp. antibody titres and
serum selenium, copper and zinc and differences examined
using Bayesian statistics.
Results: At weeks 3 and 4 there was a wide difference
between TMS and control calves in the percentage of white
blood cells phagocytosing with the 95% predictive interval (PI)
for the difference in the distributions excluding zero (+15%
(95%PI=10.0-20.0) and +8% (95%PI=2.0-13.0) respectively.
At weeks 3,4 and 5 phagocytosis per cell was also greater in
the TMS calves (+12% (95%PI=2.1-21.6), +19% (95%PI=8.2-
28.8) and +10% (95%PI=1.6-20.6) respectively). There was
no statistical evidence of a difference in gamma interferon or
antibody production between TMS and control claves although
gamma interferon response was numerically greater in the
TMS group.
Conclusions: This study adds to the evidence that TMS
supplementation can increase some components of the innate
immune systems in young calves. Neutrophil and monocyte
function were increased, with a numerical increase in gamma
interferon production. Although we found no conclusive evi-
dence for an increase in antibody response in supplemented
calves, both treatment groups showed an antibody response
greater than the sentinel calves despite the presence of ma-
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Immunology and Vaccinology
ternal immunity.
Keywords: Trace mineral supplement, mmunity, phago-
cytosis, calf.
IV-26
Field efficacy trials with a new intranasal BRD vaccine
Birgit Makoschey1, Piet Nuijten1, Björn Sander2, Eva Zschiesche2,
Geert Vertenten1.
1
MSD Animal Health, Boxmeer, Netherlands; 2MSD Animal Health,
Schwabenheim an der Selz, Germany.
Objective: The objective of these studies was to deter-
mine the efficacy of a new intranasal BRD vaccine (Bovilis® IN-
tranasal RSPTM Live) under field conditions. The vaccine con-
tains live, attenuated BRSV and PI3 strains. During lab studies
it was shown that it significantly reduced nasal shedding and
clinical symptoms caused by BRSV and PI3 challenge infec-
tions as well as reduction of lung pathology and viral load in
the lungs in a BRSV infection model.
Materials and methods: Two blinded, randomised, pla-
cebo-controlled field trials were conducted to investigate the
efficacy. The first one was conducted in Portugal (3 farms) and
the second one in Germany (2 farms) and France (6 farms).
Calves (approx. 250 in total) aged 5 to 12 days received the
vaccine or a placebo intranasally directly from the tip of a sy-
ringe. Groups were separated as much as possible during the
first 2 weeks after vaccination as spreading of the live vaccine
viruses is known to occur. Animals were monitored for signs of
BRD like increased rectal temperature, coughing, increased
breathing rate, nasal discharge, ocular discharge and depres-
sion. In case of BRD a bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was per-
formed. Nasal swabs (NS) were taken weekly starting 2 weeks
after vaccination. BAL and NS samples were tested by PCR
for 8 different BRD pathogens, including BRSV, PI3, BCoV,
BoHV-1, Mycoplasma bovis, Histophilus somni, Pasteurella
multocida and Mannheimia haemolytica. Sera were collected
on day 0, 14, 28 and 84 and tested in virus neutralisation (VN)
assays for antibodies against BRSV and PI3. The efficacy of
the vaccine was assessed based on differences between vac-
cinated and control calves in 1) clinical signs of BRD, 2) PCR
results for BRSV and PI3 in BAL and NS samples, and 3) VN
titers against BRSV and PI3.
Results: In the first study in Portugal, 124 calves were in-
cluded, 62 in each group. In the vaccinated group 4 animals
were excluded (N=58), whereas in the placebo group 17 ani-
mals were excluded (N=45), of which 15 animals were tested
positive for the PI3 vaccine strain using a specific PCR. This
proved the transmission of the PI3 vaccine strain from vacci-
nated to some of the placebo calves.
There was a notable difference in clinical signs between
the two groups: more animals in the vaccinated group were
without clinical scores than in the placebo group: 19% of the
vaccinated calves had a total clinical score of 0 versus 11.1%
in the placebo group, 55.2% of the vaccinated calves had
BRD scores of 0 versus 37.8% in the placebo group, and
281
ORAL — Immunology and Vaccinology
29.3% of calves in the vaccinated group had no BRD symp-
toms and a negative BRSV and PI3 PCR result versus only
15.6% in the placebo group. PCR analyses of many BAL and
nasal swabs were positive for several other BRD pathogens
like Pasteurella, Mannheimia and BCoV. As expected, se-
rological responses were low on average and VN titers de-
clined over time.
In the second study, a very low incidence of infection in
France occurred but in Germany a BRSV field infection took
place. Further detailed analysis of the different efficacy pa-
rameters for Germany showed: i) a significant difference
(p=0.0406) for nasal swab samples positive for BRSV be-
tween the vaccinated group (61.5%) and in the placebo control
group (85.7%), ii) that BRD clinical scores had the tendency
to be higher in the placebo control group, iii) no clear differ-
ences in serological responses against BRSV or PI3, iv) a no-
table difference of BAL samples positive for BRSV: 30.8% in
the vaccinated group was positive for BRSV in comparison to
42.9% in the placebo control group.
Conclusion: Field studies to determine the efficacy of vac-
cines against BRD pathogens are complex and influenced by
animal health status, weather conditions, farm management
and exposure to various pathogens including those that are
not part of the vaccine. Indeed, in both studies most samples
contained several other BRD pathogens, besides BRSV and
PI3. Nevertheless, this new intranasal BRD vaccine (Bovilis®
INtranasal RSPTM Live) induced significant protection against
nasal shedding of BRSV during an outbreak. This is the first
EU-licensed intranasal BRD vaccine for which efficacy has
been proven in a field trial.
Keywords: BRD, intranasal vaccination, field efficacy, PI3,
BRSV.
IV-27
Effect of periparturient intranasal vaccination on post
parturient health parameters in Holstein cows
Victor Cortese1, Pablo Pinedo2, Juan Rodrigo Pedraza3, Thomas
Short3, D. Manriquez2, A. Velasquez-Munoz2, G. Solano2.
Zoetis, Simpsonville, KY, United States; 2Colorado State University,
1
Boulder, United States; 3Zoetis, Parsippany, United States.
Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the
effect on health and reproductive performance of vaccinating
Holstein cows were vaccinated with an intranasal modified
live viral bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), modified
live, temperature sensitive bovine herpesvirus −1 (BHV-1) and
modified live, temperature sensitive parainfluenza virus type 3
vaccine (INV) during the peri-parturient period.
Materials and Methods: In a large commercial dairy, 4834
multiparous cows were vaccinated 18-24 days prior to expect-
ed calving date (n=1198), within twelve hours after parturition
(n=1250) or at both time points (n=1141). A group was left as
unvaccinated controls (n0 intranasal vaccination, n=1245).
Cattle were blocked based on parity group and expected
calving date and randomized to the experimental treatments
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
282
(vaccination and control) within blocks. Health and reproduc-
tive outcomes were monitored and compared to matched, ran-
domly assigned control cows.
Results: The greatest effects of vaccination were signifi-
cant decreases in total cows removed from the herd through-
out the lactation, decreased presentation of retained fetal
membranes, and significantly lower incidences of pneumonia
and mastitis. Overall, a greater impact was determined with
two doses and, if one dose was administered, the results tend-
ed to favor administration at calving.
Conclusion: This study indicates that using this INV
during the periparturient period can improved several postpar-
tum health outcomes due to the up regulation of the immune
system and supports earlier work indicating better immune re-
sponses when administered on the day of calving. While this
vaccine can be used for immune modulation, more importantly
this study suggests that future immune modulators may have
a better outcome if administered to the local immune system.
Keywords: Postpartum health, postpartum immune sup-
pression, calving stress, intranasal vaccination, immunomod-
ulation.
IV-28
Benchmarking of the immune response induced by
commercial intranasal vaccines against BRSV in dairy
calves
Gilles Foucras1, Lola Romanos1, Nathan Cebron2, Blandine
Gausseres2, Julie Cournet2, Christian Tasca2, Stéfanie Bernheim3.
ENVT, Toulouse, France; 2IHAP, Toulouse, France; 3Zoetis France,
1
Malakoff, France.
Objectives: BRSV is a main respiratory agent in young
calves. The intranasal vaccine Rispoval® Intranasal RS+PI3
(Zoetis) is available for more than ten years and has a long
history of protective effects in bovine herds. Recently three
new vaccines based on the same principle became available
on the European market. However little is known about the
local immune response provided by this way of immunization
in cattle, and if there is any difference in the priming capacity
of the viral strains used in these vaccines.
Materials and methods: Cross-bred dairy calves (n=40)
were allocated randomly to one of the four commercial vac-
cines (10/group), with equal numbers of males and females.
Calves had received 4L of fresh pooled colostrum (Brix index
>22) at birth, and were housed in individual hutches. At the age
of 8-17 days according to the label of the summary of product
characteristics, calves were vaccinated intranasally with one
of the four vaccines following the manufacturer’s recommen-
dations with the indicated material and modalities for appli-
cation. Blood was collected before immunization and serum
BRSV-specific antibodies were assessed (Monoscreen AbE-
LISA BRSV, BioX Diagnostics), so that titres were not known
at the time of vaccine administration. Mucosal lining was col-
lected using nasal swabs (Copan) at 0, 7, and 14 days after
vaccination. Virus load was quantified by RT-qPCR (Biosellal).

Local immune response was assessed by quantifying cytokine
production with a Multiplex bovine cytokines assay (Milliplex,
MERCK-Millipore) and by ELISA (Kingfisher Biotech).
Results: At the time of vaccination, all calves had
BRSV-specific IgG1 antibodies with a mean value of 74%
[43;105%] compared to the positive control of the ELISA kit.
No group difference of the serum BRSV-specific antibodies
of the calves before vaccination can be detected. BRSV was
detected in 8/10 calves vaccinated with Rispoval® IN RS+PI3
at one of the two dates post-vaccination, but was more incon-
stantly detected in other vaccine groups. Cytokine concentra-
tions were normalized to the total protein amount recovered by
nasal swabing. Most of the 15 cytokines were detected in the
mucosal lining and varied according to the date of sampling
upon vaccination. Only trends were seen despite differences
of BRSV strains, modalities of application, volume of vaccine
and amount of virus administered in one or the two nostrils.
Rispoval® IN RS+PI3 had a good capacity to induce Interferon
gamma-induced protein 10 (IP-10 or CxCL10) production ear-
ly at d7 in all calves tested.
Conclusions: With this design, no significant difference
of the local immune response was noticed during a period of
two weeks after vaccine application, despite some favorable
trends and an homogeneous response induced by Rispoval®
IN. Further data are needed to define further the difference of
priming capacity among intranasal vaccines, and the conse-
quences on the protection herewith afforded.
Keywords: BRSV, vaccine, intranasal, calves, immunity.
IV-29
Influence of vaccination on the seroconversion of 2 major
respiratory pathogens in German beef rearing farms
Egon Thesing1, Geert Vertenten2.
Intervet Deutschland GmbH, MSD Tiergesundheit, Unterschleißheim,
1 vaccine (Bovilis® Bovipast RSP) has already been described
Germany; 2MSD Animal Health, Boxmeer, Netherlands.
Objectives: An important part of the German beef sector
is the fattening of Simmental/crossbreed bulls. BRD (Bovine
Respiratory Disease) is the main health problem on those
farms. The causes are multifactorial, but the contribution of
different pathogens is widely accepted. Bovine Respiratory
Syncytial Virus (BRSV) and Mannheimia haemolytica (Mh) are
2 major pathogens playing a pivotal role in the BRD complex.
Nowadays, the diagnostic of pathogens is mainly done by an-
tigen detection on respiratory samples, rather than serologi-
cal identification of antibodies. As serological studies during
the rearing time in beef calves are not commonly available, a
study was performed to obtain insights in the serodynamics of
BRSV and Mh using paired blood samples including different
BRD vaccination schemes.
Materials & Methods: The study was done on 2 beef
rearing farms in different regions of Germany over 2 separate
years (2017-2018) during the winter season. All calves were
vaccinated with a live intranasal BRSV-Parainfluenza-3 vac-
cine (Rispoval® RS-Pi3, Zoetis) and received metaphylactic
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Immunology and Vaccinology
antimicrobial treatment at arrival on the rearing unit. The vac-
cination protocol was continued with either 2 administrations
at 2 and 6 weeks after arrival with a monovalent attenuated
vaccine (Rispoval® RS, Zoetis) (control group (cg)) or a mul-
tivalent, inactivated BRSV-Parainfluenza-3-Mh vaccine (Bovi-
lis® Bovipast RSP (MSD Animal Health) trial group (tg)). Paired
serum samples were taken from relevant subsets of animals
in the cg and tg. The first sampling was performed just before
the first vaccination and the second sampling 12 weeks later.
BRSV and Mh antibodies were measured in the Centre
for Diagnostic Services (MSD Animal Health, Boxmeer, The
Netherlands) by in house developed ELISAs and titers were
expressed as log2.
Seroconversion for BRSV and Mh was defined as a titer
change of 2 log2 steps or more.
A statistical evaluation was done for several parameters
with significance level 0.05.
Results: In total 1.127 calves (farm A n=931, farm B
n=196) were included in the study. Eventually, paired samples
were taken from 196 calves corresponding to approx. 12 %
(n=137) of the calves in cg and 5 % (n=59) of the calves in tg.
The baseline serum titers for BRSV and Mh ELISA at the
time of the first sampling were not significantly different be-
tween groups (p=0.28) and there was no influence of age to
the humoral response (p=0.44).
Most calves in the control group showed no humoral re-
sponse in BRSV titer. Moreover, the titers dropped in a quar-
ter of the calves. Only in 5 calves (4 %) the BRSV -titers in-
creased 4 fold (>2 log2 steps) and consequently identified as
a seroconversion. In contrast to this, 58 % of the animals in
the trial group seroconverted. If one assumes that the infection
pressure is equally high in both groups, one can establish a
significant (p<0.0001) better induction of antibody formation
after vaccination with the trivalent inactivated vaccine. Apart
from the vaccination with the inactivated vaccine, additional
field infections might play a role in this seroconversion. A good
BRSV response to vaccination with the multivalent inactivated
by Berge et al. (2021).
Concerning the Mh antibody induction, 42% of the cg
calves had a seroconversion despite the absence of a Mh
strain in the administered vaccine. This is indicative for a field
infection in those animals. A clear humoral response for Mh
under field conditions in young dairy calves is reported also by
Jozan (2021). Almost twice the rate (81%) of animals showed
serum conversion in the tg (17% > 2 log2 steps; 64% > 4 log2
steps) which is due to the combination of the vaccine effect
and the field infection as demonstrated in the cg.
Conclusion: Serological screening of antibodies in beef
calf rearing farms provides useful and practical insights into
the occurrence of infections and the impact of vaccinations.
Interpretation of this data supports the establishment of target-
ed prophylactic measures. Mannheimia haemolytica is a fre-
quently circulating pathogen in beef calf rearing farms in which
the use of a trivalent inactivated BRSV-Parainfluenza-3-Mann-
heimia haemolytica vaccine (Bovilis® Bovipast RSP) leads to a
clear humoral response.
Keywords: Seroconversion, BRSV, Mannheimia haemo-
lytica, vaccination, German beef farms.
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IV-30 IgM concentrations associated with vaccination but no signifi-

cant differences for the other immunoglobulin isotypes (Table
Impact of prepartum administration of an infectious calf 1). Furthermore, the difference in mean non-vaccine-specific
diarrhea vaccine on nonspecific colostral immunoglobulin colostral IgM concentration between vaccinated and control
concentrations of dairy cows cows (2.72 mg/ml) was larger in magnitude than the difference
Greg Chambers1, William Kelton2, Grant Smolenski3, Emma in vaccine-specific IgM concentration (0.15 mg/ml).  Though
Cuttance1. not statistically significant at the 5% level, the predicted dif-
ference in mean non-vaccine-specific IgG1 concentration be-
1
VetEnt Research, Te Awamutu, New Zealand; 2Te Huataki Waiora tween vaccinated and control cows was 10.78 (95% CI = -9.03
School of Health, The University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand; - 30.58) mg/ml, which was larger than what was explained by
3
MS3 Solutions Ltd, Hamilton, New Zealand. the difference in vaccine-specific IgG1 concentrations of 0.98
mg/ml. This increase in IgG1 concentrations drove the bulk of
Objectives: Passive transfer of colostral immunoglobulins the 12.9 (95% CI = -10.26 - 36.07) mg/mL increase in overall
from the cow to the calf is essential for calf health. The objec- non-vaccine-specific immunoglobulin concentrations.
tive of this study was to determine if prepartum administration
of a vaccine stimulates increased concentrations of colostral
immunoglobulins of dairy cows beyond what is explained by Table 1. Predicted mean concentrations of non-vaccine-specific
vaccine-specific immunoglobulins. colostral immunoglobulins for control (n=20) and vaccinated (n=20)
cows in a cohort study evaluating the effect of prepartum vaccination
Materials & Methods: A prospective cohort study was
of pregnant dairy cows with a calf diarrhea vaccine on colostrum
conducted on a spring-calving commercial dairy farm that had
immunoglobulin concentrations.
applied a policy of only vaccinating cows with even ear tag
numbers with a calf diarrhea vaccine, while cows with odd ear Mean (95% CI) concentration (mg/
   
ml)
tag numbers were left unvaccinated. Cows in the vaccinated
group (even ear tag numbers, n=204) received a sensitizer Immunoglobulin Vaccinated
Control group P-value
and booster vaccination with a vaccine against bovine rota- class group
virus (serotypes G6 and G10), bovine coronavirus and E. coli IgG1
95.30 106.08
0.278
having the K99 pili adherence factor. A sensitizer was given (81.30, 109.31) (92.07, 120.08)
because the study vaccine was different to the vaccine previ- IgG2a 4.73 (3.96, 5.50) 4.71 (3.95, 5.48) 0.972
ously used. Cows in the control group (odd ear tag numbers, 9.87 8.73 (6.88, 11.10)
n=194) received a 2 mL subcutaneous sterile saline solution. IgA1 0.462
(7.79, 12.50)
Both groups received two treatments at a three-week interval,
IgM1 5.78 (4.74, 7.05) 8.76 (7.18, 10.67) 0.005
completing the treatments approximately two weeks prior to
the planned start of calving. During the calving period, tech- 100.03 110.79
IgG 0.294
(85.57, 114.49) (96.33, 125.24)
nicians separated calves from cows immediately after partu-
rition and prior to suckling, and cows were completely milked 115.46 128.37
Total Ig 0.267
(99.08, 131.84) (111.99, 144.75)
out within six hours of parturition. Using novel techniques,
vaccine-specific, total, and nonvaccine-specific (total minus
vaccine-specific) concentrations of immunoglobulin classes A, 1. Values were log transformed and then transformed
G1, G2a and M (IgA, IgG1, IgG2a and IgM respectively) were back to the original scale due to non-normality.
quantified by mass spectrometry for 20 colostrum samples
Conclusion: It is possible that the vaccine, in addition to
from each treatment group.
managing infectious calf diarrhea, may also improve colostrum
Results: Technicians harvested colostrum from a total quality through increased non-vaccine-specific colostrum im-
of 47 cows (n=24 control cows and n=23 vaccinated cows). munoglobulin concentrations. Further research is necessary
Two cows were excluded due to low BCS (n=1) and a spu- to determine the mechanism for these preliminary findings and
rious colostrum volume (n=1), leaving 45 eligible samples. what impacts it may have on calf health outcomes.
After matching, 20 samples from each treatment group were
Keywords: Vaccination, colostrum, immunoglobulin, dairy
randomly selected for analysis.  The mean colostrum Brix %
cow.
was 24.65 and 26.20% for unvaccinated vaccinated cows re-
spectively, but this difference was not significant at the 5% lev-
el. We found 2.2- to 3.0-fold higher concentrations of vaccine
specific IgG1, IgG2a and total immunoglobulins in the colos-
trum of vaccinated cows compared to control cows, and no
difference in the concentration of IgA. We also found a 1.6-fold IV-31
increase in the concentration of IgM. IgG2a concentrations
were lower but still within the detection range of our assay. Bovine Myeloid Antimicrobial Peptide-28 (BMAP-28)
While no significant differences were observed for the other mRNA Expression by Bovine Cells and Effects of Synthetic
immunoglobulin isotypes, we found a 1.5-fold increase in total BMAP-28 on Bovine Respiratory Disease Pathogens.
IgM concentrations associated with vaccination. Santiago Cornejo Tonnelier1, Cassandra Barber1, Merrilee Thoresen1,
After subtracting vaccine-specific from total immunoglobu- Daryll Vanover2, Hannah Peck2, Philip Santangelo2, Amelia
lin concentrations, we again found a 1.5-fold increase in total Woolums1.

31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID

284

1
Department of Pathobiology and Population Medicine, College of
Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University., Mississippi State,
MS, United States; 2Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical
Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University,
Atlanta, Georgia, United States.
Objectives: Mannheimia haemolytica (MH) is the prin-
cipal bacterial pathogen associated with bovine respiratory
disease (BRD) in cattle. Bovine Herpes virus type 1 (BHV-1)
can cause BRD by itself or it can be associated with MH or
other opportunistic bacteria. Existing antimicrobials do not
consistently prevent BRD due to MH, and do not have an ef-
fect against viruses; bovine antimicrobial peptides (AMP) have
immune-stimulating and nonspecific antimicrobial effects that
could improve BRD control. Messenger RNA (mRNA) treat-
ment could be used to induce AMP expression in cattle, but
efficacy must first be confirmed in vitro. Synthetic AMP can
be generated to use as standards when characterizing mR-
NA-expressed AMP. We hypothesized that bovine cells can
express synthetic mRNA coding for the AMP BMAP-28 and
that synthetic BMAP-28 can inhibit the growth of MH and elicit
antiviral effects against BHV-1 virus.
Materials & Methods: Madin-Darby bovine kidney cells
were cultured and transfected with mRNA coding for BMAP-28
linked to the reporter nanoluciferase. After 4, 12, 24, and 72
hrs, relative light units (RLU) and protein concentration were
measured. Results were expressed as RLU/µg of protein.
MH at 500 CFU/ml was incubated with synthetic BMAP-28
at 10 or 100 µg/ml for 0, 12, or 24 hrs, and quantitative culture
was performed.
BHV-1 at 10 and 10 IU/ml were treated with synthetic
3 4
BMAP-28 at 10 or 100 µg/ml and incubated at 37ºC for 2 hrs.
A TCID50 assay on Madin-Darby bovine kidney cells was per-
formed for each treatment. TCID50 units were calculated after
5 days post-infection (dpi).
Results: Bovine kidney cells expressed mRNA coding
for BMAP-28 with peak expression occurring at 24hs in cell
lysates and supernatants. Synthetic BMAP-28 at 10µg/ml in-
hibited MH growth at 12 and 24hs post-treatment. Synthetic
BMAP-28 at 100 µg/ml elicited antiviral effects against BHV-1.
Conclusions: Treatment of bovine cells with synthetic
mRNA induces BMAP-28 expression in vitro. BMAP-28 can
inhibit MH growth and BHV-1 replication. These results pro-
vide support for further research to test the mRNA-expressed
product against BRD pathogens in vitro and in vivo. mRNA
treatment to induce AMP expression could lead to new BRD
control strategies.
Keywords: BMAP-28, mRNA, BRD, Mannheimia haemo-
lytica, BHV-1.
IV-32
Q fever: Vaccinate as much as needed and as little as possible
Jens Böttcher1, Gregor Siegl2, Stephanie Geischeder1, Frank
Dautzenberg1, Elisabeth Deckinger1, Michaela Alex1, Vanessa
Turowski1, Britta Janowetz1.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Immunology and Vaccinology
Bavarian Animal Health Service, Poing, Germany; 2Meltl GmbH &
1
Co.KG, Grabenstätt, Germany.
Objective: Coxiella (C.) burnetii is a zoonotic pathogen.
Endemic infection in dairy cow farms is frequently observed.
A vaccine (CoxevacTM, Ceva Santé Animal) is available to
control infection in cattle. In this case report a controlled vac-
cination scheme was implemented in an infected dairy cow
farm over a time period of 4½ years. Shedding of C. burnetii
with milk and during calving was monitored. A long-term fol-
low-up and characterization of chronically infected cows was
possible as these were not immediately removed. In order to
avoid side effects of vaccination no regular revaccination of
all cows every 9 months was performed, however, long-term
vaccination consisted of a primary vaccination of heifers and a
single booster vaccination before 1st and 2nd breeding (after 1st
calving), respectively. The immune response of seronegative
heifers was assessed by phase-specific antibody ELISA and
IFN-γ-Recall assay (IFN-γ-RA) before/after primary vaccina-
tion and revaccination.
Materials and Methods: In 2015 acute infection (abortion
and stillbirths) was observed in a dairy cow farm (225 lactat-
ing cows, Simmental cattle). C. burnetii was identified as a
possible cause. The farmer asked for coordinated interven-
tion measures. Since October 2015 until January 2020 patho-
gen-shedding during calving was monitored by vaginal swabs.
Additionally, individual milk samples were collected yearly. In
spring 2016 primary vaccination of cattle (>12 months) was
performed.
Vaginal swabs and milk samples were tested by quanti-
tative PCR (Böttcher et al., 2013); milk and serum samples
were tested for phase-specific antibodies and Li-heparin blood
samples were tested by IFN-γ-RA (Böttcher et al., 2017).
A group of 15 heifers (2017) were tested before (t0),
4 months (t1), 16 months after primary vaccination (t2 i.e.
at revaccination) and 1 month after revaccination (t3) for
phase-specific-antibodies and IFN-γ-reactivity.
Results: Detection rates of C. burnetii in vaginal swabs
were 9/59 in 2015 (Oct-Dec), 20/142 in 2016 (Jan-Jun),
19/145 in 2016 (Jul-Dec), 1/236 (2017), 6/253 (2018), 5/292
(2019) and 0/56 (Jan/Feb 2020). Two chronically infected
cows (#129, #934) shed C. burnetii at calving in 2018. Four
cows in the same calving pen with #129 tested positive (<103
C.b./swab), too. In 2019, #129 tested negative at calving, how-
ever, 5 cows in the same calving group tested positive (<103,5
C.b./swab). Detection rates of C. burnetii in milk were 7/191
(2015), 5/225 (2016/Mar), 13/211 (2016/Aug), 8/190 (2017),
0/161 (2018), 2/229 (2019) and 3/225 (2020).
Five and three chronically infected cows were present
in the herd in 2018 (## 126, 129, 133, 214, 934) and 2019
(##129, 214, 934), respectively. Cow #129 shed C. burnetii
at 2nd, 3rd and 4th, cows #126 and #934 only once at 2nd and
6th parturition, respectively. Vaginal swabs of #133 and #214
tested negative at parturition. Cows #126, #129 and #934
constantly shed large amounts in milk (mean 103,4, 104,1, 103,4/
ml, respectively) whereas #133 and #214 showed intermittent
low-level shedding in milk (mean 101,4, 101,2/ml, respectively).
Mean PhI-/PhII-titres (milk) of cows #126, #129, #133, #214,
#934 were 2705/5561, 1324/6053, 566/95, 294/114, 109/2639,
respectively. Cow #214 was the last one that established a
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ORAL — Immunology and Vaccinology
chronic infection (since Aug2016).
Primary vaccination and revaccination of heifers was an-
alysed: PhI-titre (serum) was negative until t2, after revacci-
nation (t3) a mean titre of 10000 was reached. PhII-titre in-
creased to 10000 at t1, decreased to 2000 at t2 and increased
to 100.000 at t3. IFN-γ-RA increased from <15% to 40% of
the poke-weed-mitogen-reactivity at t1, decreased negative
(<15%) at t2 and increased to 80% at t3.
Conclusions: To our knowledge this is the first report de-
scribing the long-term shedding of C. burnetii in a vaccinated
herd. Herd vaccination decreased shedding of C. burnetii at
calving about 9 months later. In other words, vaccination had
no effect on the infected uterus. Vaccination had no effect on
chronic shedders. Primary vaccination and only one revacci-
nation protected cows from becoming chronic shedders. The
strong PhII-titres and IFN-γ-reactivity after revaccination ex-
ceeding the level after primary vaccination suggests the in-
duction of an immunological memory by primary vaccination.
Acknowledgements: This study was financially support-
ed by the Free State of Bavaria and the Bavarian Joint Found-
ing Scheme for the Control and Eradication of contagious
Livestock Diseases.
References:
Böttcher, J. et al. (2013) Berl Münch Tierärztl Wochenschr
126, 427-435.
Böttcher, J. et al. (2017) J Vet Med Res 4(9):1106.
Keywords: Q fever, Coxiella, vaccination, chronic shed-
ding.
IV-33
Duration of immunity after a natural infection with bovine
respiratory syncytial virus
Sara Hägglund1, Katarina Näslund1, Hakan Enul1, Cecilia
Lefverman1, Leonore Pascal1, Anna Svensson1, Menno Holzhauer2,
Karin Alvåsen3, Catherine Dubuquoy4, Isabelle Schwartz-Cornil4,
Sabine Riffault4, Geraldine Taylor5, María Jose Rodriguez6, Marga
Garcia Duran6, Jean François Valarcher1.
1
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Dept. of Clinical
Sciences, Unit of Ruminant Medicine, Host Pathogen Interaction
Group, Uppsala, Sweden; 2GD Animal Health, Deventer, Netherlands;
3
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Dept. of Clinical Sciences,
Unit of Epidemiology, Uppsala, Sweden; 4Université Paris-Saclay,
UVSQ, INRAE, VIM, Jouy-en-Josas, France; 5The Pirbright Institute,,
Woking, United Kingdom; 6Inmunología y Genética Aplicada, S.A.
(INGENASA), Madrid, Spain.
Objectives: Bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV)
infections commonly occur as epizootic outbreaks in nearby
cattle herds. In parallel with improved biosecurity, the main-
tenance of herd immunity could contribute to minimize virus
circulation. With the overall goal to identify vaccine targets, the
objective of this work was to monitor the duration of BRSV-spe-
cific humoral and cellular immunity in cattle.
Materials and methods: Local and systemic BRSV-spe-
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
286
cific immunity was monitored in cattle in one Swedish dairy
herd following a BRSV-outbreak. The herd consisted of 534
cattle with an average age of 33 months and an average year-
ly milk production of 9971 kg ECM/cow. Cows were housed
in a free stall with cubicles, weaned calves in group pens and
unweaned calves in hutches outdoor. During the outbreak, two
cows died in respiratory distress and there was a loss of de-
livered milk that had an estimated value of 2300 Euro. BRSV
was detected by ELISA (seroconversion) and/or virus isolation
and/ or RTqPCR in cows, heifers and calves.
Blood and milk (when applicable) was collected from 33
female cattle of the Swedish red and white breed every two
months during 26 months after the outbreak (post outbreak,
PO). The sampled animals were either born during or just af-
ter the outbreak (n=5), or were aged 2-3 months (n=6), 4-5
months (n=6), 7-11 months (n=8), or 23-30 months (n=8) at
the time of the outbreak. The oldest animals were either at < 6
(n=4) or > 6.5 (n=4) months of gestation.
Nasal secretions and saliva were repeatedly collected
from five animals. To verify the absence of BRSV re-circula-
tion in the herd, blood was collected at the end of the study
from 24 additional animals born >4 months PO. BRSV-specif-
ic antibodies of different isotypes were analysed by ELISAs,
along with BRSV-neutralising antibodies (NAb) by a virus neu-
tralisation assay. Furthermore, attempts were made to detect
BRSV-specific T cell responses in peripheral blood, by lymph-
oproliferation and ELISpot assays.
Results: All cattle that were older than 2 months at the
time of the outbreak had or developed BRSV-specific serum
IgG and BRSV-F competing antibodies, which remained sta-
ble during at least 26 months. The four cows in > 6.5 months
of gestation had the lowest levels of such antibodies and two
cows did not secrete detectable BRSV-specific IgG in milk. The
youngest cattle, which were possibly infected in the presence
of maternally derived antibodies, became seronegative within
4-6 months PO (within 3-5 months of age) and remained so
for at least 26 months, inferring that no re-infections occurred.
All animals that were born >4 months PO were seronegative
at the end of the study.
The BRSV-NAb responses and the BRSV-specific serum
IgG2 followed a similar pattern as IgG, but with a greater indi-
vidual variation. The highest NAb-titres were detected in some
of the heifers that were 5-11 months old at the outbreak, but
titres dropped within 4-6 months. Another such heifer, from
which virus had been isolated, developed very poor NAb re-
sponses but high levels of BRSV-specific IgG2.
BRSV-specific IgA was detected in nasal secretions of all
sampled cattle two months PO, but these responses were
not stable over time. In contrast, BRSV-specific local IgG2
responses were more stable but varied between individuals,
in agreement with the data on BRSV-specific IgG2 in serum.
Overall, BRSV-specific IgG2 and IgA were poorly detectable
in saliva. It was not possible to detect BRSV-specific T cell
responses in peripheral blood two months PO.
Conclusions: In conclusion, it was demonstrated that
BRSV-specific IgG lasts for at least two years in animals in-
fected above 2 months of age but are not always detectable
in milk. The BRSV-specific IgG2 antibody responses and the
BRSV-NAb titers varied between individuals. In young animals,
a drop of NAb titers was observed within 4 months, whereas

in adults, the NAb titers were low but stable. Cows that were
near calving during an outbreak and all calves born later than
two months before an outbreak, appear as the most critical
candidates for vaccination in order to limit virus circulation in
the field. More investigations are needed to confirm these data
and to identify if previously infected animals are virologically
protected by their antibodies upon reinfection.
Keywords: BRSV, immunity, duration, neutralising anti-
bodies, respiratory disease.
IV-34
Virus detection by PCR following vaccination of naive
calves with intranasal or injectable multivalent modified-
live viral vaccines
Victor Cortese , Paul H. Walz , Benjamin W. Newcomer , Kay P.
1 2 2 cine against Coxiella burnetii - Nine Mile strain phase I (Cox-
Riddell2, Daniel W. Scruggs3.
1
Zoetis, Simpsonville, United States; 2Auburn University, Auburn,
United States; 3Zoetis, Parsippany, United States.
Objective: To evaluate the duration and cycle times of
PCR-positive results following administration of modified-live
viral (MLV) vaccines to sero-negative beef calves.
Materials and Methods: Twenty beef calves were ran-
domly assigned to either group 1 and vaccinated intranasal-
ly with a MLV vaccine containing bovine alpha herpesvirus 1
(BoHV-1), bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), and bo-
vine parainfluenza virus 3 (BPIV-3), or to group 2 and vacci-
nated subcutaneously with a MLV vaccine containing bovine
viral diarrhea virus 1 and 2 (BVDV-1, -2), BoHV-1, BRSV, and
BPIV-3. Deep nasopharyngeal swabs (NPS) and transtracheal
washes (TTW) were collected from all calves, and whole blood
was collected from group 2 calves and tested by PCR.
Results: In group 1, the proportions of calves that tested
PCR-positive to BVDV, BoHV-1, BRSV, and BPIV-3 on any
sample at any time were 0%, 100%, 100%, and 10%, respec-
tively. In group 1 calves, 100% of calves became PCR-posi-
tive for BoHV-1 by day 3 post-vaccination and 100% of calves
became PCR-positive for BRSV by day 7 post-vaccination. In
group 2, the proportions of calves that tested positive to BVDV,
BoHV-1, BRSV, and BPIV-3 on any sample at any time were
50%, 40%, 10%, and 0%, respectively. All threshold cycle
(Ct) values were >30 in group 2 calves, irrespective of virus;
however, Ct values <25 were observed in group 1 calves from
PCR-positive results for BoHV-1 and BRSV. All calves were
PCR-negative for all viruses after day 28.
Conclusion: Following intranasal MLV viral vaccination,
PCR results and Ct values for BRSV and BoHV-1 suggest that
attempts to differentiate vaccine virus from natural infection is
unreliable.
Keywords: Bovine virus vaccination, deep nasopharyn-
geal swabs, PCR.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Immunology and Vaccinology
IV-35
Efficacy of a vaccine to control Coxiellosis in goats 1 year
after primo-vaccination: assessment of the duration of
immunity
Philippe Gisbert1, Tamas Szalai2, Jean De Foucauld1, Georges
Orszagh2.
Ceva Santé Animale, Libourne, France; 2Ceva Phylaxia, Budapest,
1
Hungary.
Objectives: In small ruminants, Coxiellosis also named Q
fever is responsible for abortion, stillbirth and weak born. In
addition, Q fever is a zoonosis which can cause flu-like syn-
dromes in humans but also abortions or cardio-vascular disor-
ders. It is therefore a major public health concern. Control of Q
fever is therefore of main interest.
In this challenge study, the efficacy of an inactivated vac-
evac®, Ceva Santé Animale) one year after primo vaccination
on goats was evaluated on two main criteria:
• Reduction of abortion rate.
• Reduction of shedding in milk, faeces and vaginal mu-
cus.
Material and methods: The study was conducted in com-
pliance with the provisions of Directive 2010/63/EU relative of
the protection of animals used for scientific purposes.
Forty 3 months old goats were vaccinated twice 3 weeks
apart according to the product’s label (Coxevac® 2 mL sub-
cutaneously); forty goats of the same age were not vaccinat-
ed and were included as control. Eleven months later, goats
were mated after oestrus synchronization. Finally, 14 pregnant
goats in the vaccinated group and 7 from the non-vaccinated
were selected.
At 75 +/- 7d of pregnancy (1 year and 27 days after the
second injection of the vaccine), goats were challenged sub-
cutaneously with a heterologous field strain of Coxiella burnetii
(CbC1).
Abortion rate and number of live kids were assessed. Fae-
ces and vaginal shedding were measured by qPCR from 14
days post challenge to 35 days post abortion/kidding. Milk
shedding was measured by qPCR from the day of abortion/
kidding to 35 days. For these three types of samples, both
ratio of shedders animals and quantity of excreted Coxiella
burnetii were measured.
Results: Five out of seven goats of the control group
aborted (71.4%) while there were only three out of 14 in the
vaccinated group (21.4%). The difference between the two
groups was significant (p=0.0408).
The rate of non-viable or aborted kids was 71.4% and
11.1% in the control group and in the vaccinated group, re-
spectively (p=0.0017).
From d56 post challenge to d35 post kidding/abortion, the
proportion of shedders in faeces and vaginal mucus was signifi-
cantly higher (p<0.003 and p<0.002, respectively) in the control
group than in the vaccinated group. The mean level of excretion
in faeces (measured in bacteria per g) was reduced by 4 log10
between the control and the vaccinated group. This reduction
was 5 log10 for vaginal mucus (measured in bacteria per mL).
287
ORAL — Immunology and Vaccinology
Regarding the shedding in milk, the excretion of Coxiella
burnetii was significantly higher in the control group than in the
vaccinated group (p<0.0002). The mean quantity of bacteria
excreted per milliliter was reduced by 4 log10 in the vaccinated
group.
Conclusion: This study showed that goat vaccination
(Coxevac®, Ceva Santé Animale) was effective for one year
in reducing the abortion rate due to Coxiella burnetii and ex-
cretion of the bacterium. This is of main interest to control the
disease in the flocks and to reduce the zoonotic risk.
Keywords: Q fever, goats, vaccine, immunity.
IV-36
A field study evaluating humoral immune response
in calves vaccinated with two multivalent respiratory
vaccines
Anna Catharina Berge1, Thibault Jozan2, Camille Levesque3, Geert
Vertenten4.
Berge Veterinary Consulting BV, Vollezele, Belgium; 2MSD Santé
1 cinated calves mounted a significantly higher AUC ELISA OD
Animale, Beaucouzé, France; 3LABOCEA, Javené, France; 4MSD
Animal Health, Boxmeer, Netherlands.
Objectives: Calf vaccination may be adversely affected by
maternal antibodies. Two trivalent inactivated Bovine Respira-
tory Disease (BRD) vaccines that are commercialized in Eu-
rope (Bovilis® Bovipast RSP or Bovilis® Bovigrip, MSD Animal
Health (BPAST) and Bovalto® Respi 3, Boehringer Ingelheim
(BTO)), can be administered to calves from 2 weeks of age.
BPAST has proven efficacy in calves with maternal antibodies,
while BTO is only indicated for use in seronegative animals. In
field conditions, calves rarely remain seronegative for BRSV
due its high prevalence in cattle herds. The objective of this
field study was to evaluate the seroneutralising (SN) antibody
responses against bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV)
and specific humoral (IgG) ELISA response to BRSV, bovine
parainfluenza 3 virus (BPI3V) and Mannheimia haemolytica
(Mh) in young calves vaccinated with either BPAST or BTO
and after booster vaccination 9 to 11 months later.
Materials & Methods: This field study was performed on
one dairy farm in France, with 30 dairy calves that received at
least 3L colostrum during the first 6h of life. Three study groups
were created of 12 calves vaccinated with BPAST, 13 with BTO
and 5 non vaccinated negative controls. Vaccines were admin-
istered at 15-30 days of age (T0), 1 month (m) later (T0+1m)
and at 9-11 months of age (T10). Blood samples were taken
at T0, T0+0.5m, T0+1m, T0+1.5m, T0+2m, T0+2.5m, T0+3m,
T0+4m, T0+5m, T0+6m, T10, T10+0.5m and T10+1m. Serum
antibodies in the individual calves after primo (first 2 injec-
tions) and booster (3rd injection) vaccinations were evaluated
by calculating the areas under the curve (AUC) of the Log2
transformed BRSV SN titres and the optic density measures
of the ELISA tests for BRSV, BPI3V and Mh. A seroconversion
was defined as a four-fold or more increase in titres. Multivari-
ate general linear models were used to evaluate the influence
of the vaccination on the AUC of the serum measures within
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
288
6 months after the primo vaccination and 1 month after the
booster vaccination.
Results: There was no significant difference in T0 titres
between the groups. No negative control calves seroconvert-
ed, whereas respectively 15 and 75% of the BTO and BPAST
vaccinated calves seroconverted for BRSV after primovacci-
nation and respectively 0% and 75% of the BTO and BPAST
vaccinated calves seroconverted to BRSV after booster vac-
cination. The BPAST vaccinated calves had significantly high-
er BRSV SN titres AUC following the primo vaccination and
booster vaccination compared to the negative control calves
and the BTO vaccinated calves. The BTO vaccinated calves
did not have a significantly different BRSV SN titres AUC re-
sponse after the primo or booster vaccinations compared to
the negative control calves.
Although some animals experienced a natural infection
with BPI3V, Mh or both, some differences in the antibody re-
sponses between the different groups could still be identified.
BPAST and BTO vaccinated calves mounted a significantly
higher AUC ELISA OD for both BPI3V and Mh compared to
negative control calves after primovaccination with the high-
est AUC measured in the BPAST vaccinated calves. This in
contrast with booster vaccination where only the BPAST vac-
for both BPI3V and Mh compared to negative control calves.
Conclusion: This study indicates that despite containing
antigens targeting the same BRD pathogens, immunogenicity
of vaccines can be very different. Early vaccination of calves
with multivalent adjuvanted inactivated BRD vaccines (e.g.
Bovilis® Bovipast® RSP) can elicit a humoral response with a
memory effect as indicated by the serological response after
booster vaccination.
Keywords: BRD vaccines, commercial calves, BRSV, PI3,
Mannheimia haemolytica.
IV-37
Concurrent vaccination for pneumonia in pre-weaned
calves; a longitudinal study on the safety, and serological
response elicited by delivery of two live intranasal vaccines
Anna Flynn1, Catherine Mcaloon2, Katie Surgrue1, Ricki Fitzgerald1,
Cara Sheridan3, Bosco Cowley3, Emer Kennedy1.
1
Grassland Science Research Department, Animal & Grassland
Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc Moorepark, Cork, Republic
of Ireland; 2School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin,
Dublin, Republic of Ireland; 3MSD Animal Health, Dublin, Republic
of Ireland.
Objectives: Bovine respiratory disease complex (BRD) is
an economically important disease with a high mortality rate.
In Ireland, it remains the leading cause of death in calves be-
tween 1 and 12 months of age. Moreover, as antimicrobial re-
sistance and animal welfare are areas of growing public con-
cern, control of BRD through prophylactic vaccination will be
increasingly important in decreasing calf rearer reliance on an-
tibiotics. It has been suggested that vaccination of pre-weaned
 ORAL — Immunology and Vaccinology

calves from two weeks of age in the face of maternally-derived Conclusion: Although concurrent intranasal vaccination
antibodies (MDA) can provide efficacious protection from the with a live vaccine against BHV-1 and a live vaccine against
viruses most commonly associated with pneumonia. BRSV and PI3V is outside of the licensed use of the two prod-
Although numerous respiratory vaccines suitable for calves ucts, in our study the concurrent use in 3-week old seroposi-
are available, achieving early protection is often challenging tive calves caused no adverse effect on weight gain or clinical
due to a limited vaccination time-window and labour demand. parameters compared to calves vaccinated with the vaccines
Reportedly, it is now common practice on farms to administer individually and non-vaccinated controls. Moreover, the en-
multiple intranasal vaccines together to pre-weaned calves. hanced immune response against BHV-1 and RSV following
However, this practice is currently unlicensed and there is lim- booster vaccination might suggest that the immune system
ited information on the effects of concurrent intranasal admin- had been primed. Any decision to use these vaccines concur-
istration of these vaccines. The objective of this longitudinal rently needs to be made on a case-by-case basis by a veteri-
study was to determine the safety of concurrent administra- nary professional.
tion, from 3 weeks of age, of two currently available intranasal Keywords: concurrent vaccination, intranasal, pneumo-
vaccines for the viruses Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus nia, safety, serology.
(BRSV), Parainfluenza-3-virus (PI3V) and Bovine Herpes Vi-
rus 1 (BHV-1) and to examine the serological responses they
elicited in the face of high levels of MDA.
Materials & Methods: Forty dairy (n=30) and dairy beef
(n=10) calves, male (n=13) and female (n=27) were balanced
in a randomised block design with 4 treatments; i) Live BHV-1
vaccine only (Bovilis® IBR Marker Live, MSD Animal Health)
(BHV-1 only) ii) BRSV/PI3V vaccine only (Bovilis® INtrana-
sal RSP Live, MSD Animal Health) (RSV/PI3V only) and iii)
Concurrent vaccination with live BHV-1 and BRSV/PI3V vac-
cines (Bovilis® IBR Marker Live & Bovilis® INtranasal RSP®
Live) (CV) and iv) non-vaccinated control group. Calves were
vaccinated intranasally (IN) at an average age of 21.6 (±4.8)
days with a 2 ml dose of each vaccine, 1 ml per nostril. Calves
in the CV treatment received both vaccines separately, and
consecutively. Control calves were given a placebo of the dilu-
ent used for both vaccines. All calves from vaccinated groups
received booster vaccination against BHV-1 (Bovilis® IBR
Marker Live, 2ml i.m) and RSV&PI3V (Bovilis® Bovipast®
RSP, MSD Animal Health, 5ml, s.c.) at the age of 4 months.
The serological response to vaccination was measured at 3
weeks post intranasal vaccination and following booster. The
antibody response was measured with commercially available
indirect ELISA test kits, and the results were compared be-
tween treatment groups.
In addition to serology, clinical health scores, including rec-
tal temperature were taken before and after IN vaccination.
Calves were weighed weekly and growth rates were compared
between treatments. All data analysis was performed using
SAS version 9.4 (SAS Institute Inc.) and significant associa-
tions in mixed models were confirmed at the P<0.05 level.
Results: There was no significant difference in rectal
temperature before and after IN vaccine administration (P=
0.219). Concurrent vaccination had no adverse effect on
weight gain or clinical score, with CV calves gaining on aver-
age 0.28 kg (±0.14) kg/week more than BHV-only and BRSV/
PI3V only calves. Intranasal vaccination with BRSV/PI3V at
three weeks of age resulted in an improved anamnestic re-
sponse to the PI3V and BRSV antigens following subsequent
administration of an inactivated vaccine against PI3V, BRSV
and M. haemolytica. Therefore, intranasal vaccination at three
weeks of age in the face of high levels of MDA acted to prime
the immune response for a subsequent parenteral dose of in-
activated BRSV/PI3V vaccine. BHV-1 antibodies increased in
all treatment groups including the controls post-IN vaccination,
which may indicate circulation of wild BHV-1 in the herd.

31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID

289
ORAL — Lameness
LA-01
A prospective cohort study into the association between
early-lactation mastitis and the development of sole ulcers
in dairy cows
Christopher Watson1, Matthew Barden2, Bethany Griffiths2,
Alkiviadis Anagnostopoulos1, Cherrill Bedford1, Androniki Psifidi3,
Georgios Banos4, Georgios Oikonomou1.
1
Department of Livestock Health and Welfare, Institute of Veterinary
Science, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Chester High
Road, CH64 7TE, UK, Neston, United Kingdom; 2Department of
Epidemiology and Population Health, Institute of Infection and Global
Health, University of Liverpool. Leahurst Campus, Chester High Road,
CH64 7TE, UK, Neston, United Kingdom; 3Department of Clinical
Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, North Mymms,
Hertfordshire, AL9 7TA, UK, North Mymms, United Kingdom;
4
Animal & Veterinary Sciences, SRUC, Roslin Institute Building, Easter
Bush, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK, Neston, United Kingdom.
Objectives: Sole ulcers (SU) are a major cause of lame-
ness in dairy cattle and their incidence is highest in early to
mid-lactation (1). SU take 8-12 weeks or more to develop, and
it has been suggested many originate from an insult in the
periparturient period (2). The risk for clinical mastitis is high-
est in the first 30 days in milk (DIM) (3) and we postulate a
potential link between early-lactation mastitis incidence and
later development of SU. A preliminary study that was carried
out by our group involving 455 animals on 3 commercial dairy
farms found that cows were significantly more likely to devel-
op SU in early lactation if they had mastitis in the first month
post calving (4). The aim of this prospective cohort study was
to further investigate this association employing a much larg-
er dataset and more intensive recording of lameness-causing
foot lesions.
Materials and Methods: Data were collected from 2186
Holstein-Friesian cows and heifers raised in four commercial
dairy farms in the UK. Data were collected from each animal
on three occasions: - at drying off or 30-60 days before their
expected first calving, in the first 10 days post calving and at
50-120 days post calving. On each occasion, feet were lifted
and presence and severity of SU was recorded by a quali-
fied veterinary surgeon. Mastitis episodes were recorded by
trained farm staff. A series of univariable analyses were initially
performed. Outcome of interest was the presence of a SU in
early lactation. In order to account for potential confounding
factors, a multivariable logistic regression model was also fit-
ted to the data.
Results: 21.4% of cows that had mastitis in the first 30
days post calving developed SU in early lactation, whilst only
4.9% of cows that did not have mastitis in the first 30 DIM de-
veloped SU in early lactation (P = 0.0028). After correcting for
parity group (primiparous versus multiparous), farm, and the
presence or not of a SU at enrolment, cows that had mastitis
in the first 30 days post calving were found to be 6.66 times
more likely to have a SU in early lactation (CI 2.50-17.73, P
<0.0001) comparing to cows that did not have mastitis in the
first 30 days post calving. Multiparous cows were 1.64 times
more likely (CI 0.95 -2.85, P = 0.078) to have SU in peak lac-
tation than cows that were in their first lactation. Finally, cows
were 13.3 times more likely (CI 6.36 – 28.02, P < 0.0001) to
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
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have an SU in peak lactation if they already had SU at enrol-
ment comparing to cows that did not have SU at enrolment.
Conclusion: These initial results are consistent with those
described previously by Griffiths et al. (2018). A strong associ-
ation has been found between mastitis in the first 30 days and
the presence of SU in peak lactation. The mechanism respon-
sible for this association is not yet clear and warrants further
investigation.
References:
1. Sanders AH, Shearer JK, De Vries A. Journal of Dairy
Science. 2009;92(7):3165-74.
2. Shearer JK, van Amstel SR. Veterinary Clinics: Food
Animal Practice. 2017;33(2):283-300.
3. Breen JE, Green MJ, Bradley AJ. Journal of Dairy Sci-
ence. 2009;92(6):2551-61.
4. Griffiths B, Mahen P, Hall R, Kakatsidis N, Britten N,
Robinson L, et al. Cattle Practice. 2018;26:81-.
Keywords: Dairy cattle, lameness, sole ulcer, mastitis.
LA-02
Metagenomic analyses of the bovine foot skin microbiome;
associations with development of Bovine Digital Dermatitis.
Veysel Bay1, Amy Gillespie2, Erika Ganda3, Nicholas Evans2, Stuart
Carter2, Luca Lenzi2, Anita Lucaci2, Sam Haldenby2, Matthew
Barden2, Bethany Griffiths2, Enrique Sanchez-Molano4, Rodrigo
Bicalho5, Georgios Banos6, Alistair Darby2, Georgios Oikonomou2.
1
Aegean Agricultural Research Institute, Izmir, Turkey; 2University
of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom; 3Penn State University,
Pennsylvania, United States; 4The Roslin Institute, University of
Edinburgh, United Kingdom; 5Cornell University, Ithaca, United States;
6
Scotland's Rural College, Midlothian, United Kingdom.
Objectives: Previous studies have described the micro-
biome of the different lesion stages of Bovine Digital Derma-
titis (BDD). The present study was designed to examine the
healthy bovine foot-skin microbiome and determine differenc-
es in microbial populations associated with future develop-
ment of BDD lesions.
Materials and Methods: Swabs were taken from the
heel bulb region of the back-left foot of 259 Holstein-Friesian
cows from three commercial UK dairy farms 3-4 weeks prior
to calving. Feet were re-examined at one, four and 8-10 weeks
post-calving to record any lesions that had developed and
classify cows into four foot-health groups: those that remained
healthy (HtHt), those that became infected (HtIn), those that
were always infected (InIn) and those that were infected at
enrolment but recovered (InHt).
16SrRNA gene amplicon sequencing was carried out for
all samples using the Illumina® HiSeq 2500 platform, and tax-
onomic assignment of OTUs carried out using QIIME and the
RDP classifier. Chao 1, Shannon and Simpson indices were
calculated to describe alpha-diversity, and weighted and un-
weighted UniFrac distances were analysed using Principal
Coordinates Analysis and used to describe beta-diversity for

foot health groups and farms. Robust response screening
(JMP Pro 12, SAS Institute Inc., USA), was performed to eval-
uate differences in relative abundance of OTU assignments at
genus level between samples from the HtHt and HtIn groups.
A subset of five samples from the HtHt and HtIn groups
were used for shotgun metagenomic analysis to provide high-
er taxonomic resolution and detect differences in the functional
profiles of the microbiome. Prepared libraries were sequenced
using the Illumina® HiSeq 4000 platform and results analysed
using LefSe to determine taxa most likely to explain differenc-
es between the two groups. HUMAnN2 was used to function-
ally annotate read data to show biological pathway abundance
and completeness.
Results: Differences in sample richness and evenness
were identified between foot-health groups. Alpha-diversity
metrics overall suggested that HtHt samples had significantly
greater microbial diversity than InIn or InHt samples, and a
tendency to greater microbial diversity than HtIn samples.
Focussing on comparing HtHt to HtIn groups (where
samples originated from morphologically healthy feet), PCoA
showed clustering between HtHt and HtIn groups, indicating
that overall the two groups share the same species. Howev-
er, response screening showed at genus level that Macrococ-
cus spp. and Brachybacterium spp. were more abundant in
samples from the HtHt group, whilst Succiniclasticum spp.,
Porphyromonas spp., Acholeplasma spp., Fastidiosipila spp.,
Peptoclostridium spp. and Prevotella spp. were more abun-
dant in samples from the HtIn group. Treponema spp. were
present in the top 20 most prevalent genera for HtIn samples,
but not for HtHt samples.
Shotgun metagenomic analysis showed some differences
in taxa present in HtHt compared to HtIn samples. HtHt sam-
ples had increased relative abundance of many gram positive
bacteria from the phylum Actinobacteria which would be ex-
pected to be part of the healthy foot skin flora. HtIn samples
showed biologically relevant increases in wall-less bacteria
from the Tenericutes phyla, which has previously been found
to be more abundant in BDD lesions. Taxonomic assignment
of reads was low and therefore the significance of these find-
ings is uncertain; however, there may be some agreement with
the 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis in finding increased
Acholeplasma spp. in HtIn samples and increased Brachybac-
terium sp. in HtHt samples.
Eight functional pathways were identified as significantly
more abundant in the HtIn group. One indicated production
of 4-deoxy-L-threo-hex-4enopyranuronate, which is a uronic
acid resulting from the degradation of many polymers. These
include plant polymers such as pectin and gellan, but also
important components of connective tissue such as heparin,
heparin sulfate, hyaluronan and chondroitin sulfate.
Conclusion: This is the first study to associate taxonomi-
cal differences in the healthy foot-skin microbiome with future
development of BDD lesions. Our data suggest that loss of
diversity may begin before the appearance of morphological
lesions, and that Macrococcus spp and Brachybacterium spp.
may be protective whilst Succiniclasticum spp., Porphyro-
monas spp., Acholeplasma spp., Fastidiosipila spp., Peptoclo-
stridium spp. and Prevotella spp. may initiate dysbiosis that
leads to lesion development. Upregulation of a functional path-
way associated with polymer degradation may indicate the be-
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Lameness
ginning of a pathogenic process in HtIn samples detectable
prior to development of visible BDD lesions.
Keywords: Digital dermatitis, Microbiome, Metagenomics,
Lesion development, Lameness.
LA-03
Initial validation of an intelligent video surveillance system
for automatic detection of dairy cattle lameness
Alkiviadis Anagnostopoulos, Bethany Griffiths, Joseph Neary, Rob
Smith, Georgios Oikonomou.
University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Neston, United Kingdom.
Objectives: Lameness is a major welfare challenge fac-
ing the dairy industry worldwide. Monitoring of herd lameness
prevalence, early detection and treatment of foot lesions are
important aspects of lameness control. The objective of this
study was to evaluate the performance of a commercially avail-
able video surveillance system for automatic detection of dairy
cattle lameness (CattleEye Ltd.). Our aim was to investigate
the validity of the mobility scores provided by the system by
comparing them against those recorded by two experienced
assessors. Additionally, we examined the system’s ability to
detect cows with at least one potentially painful foot lesion.
Materials and Methods: CattleEye utilizes an inexpen-
sive 2D surveillance camera placed above the passageway
exiting the milking parlour. Footage of cows exiting the milking
parlour is sent directly to company servers where it is stored
and processed. The final result of the analysis is a number
between 0.0 and 100.0, indicating the degree of lameness.
This variable is then transformed into 0-3 scale score ( score
0 for 0-24, score 1 for 25-49, score 2 for 50-74 and score 3 for
75-100).From November 2020 to February 2021 three farms
equipped with the CattleEye mobility scoring system were
visited once a week by an experienced scorer (Assessor 1).
During each visit, the entire milking herd was scored using the
Agricultural and Horticultural Development Board (AHDB) 0-3
scale scoring method. Reports containing CattleEye scores
were also stored but were not available to Assessor 1 before
the end of the study. Assessor 1 also recorded lesions found
during foot-trimming visits for two of the farms. Finally, a sec-
ond experienced scorer (Assessor 2) recorded mobility scores
on those two farms once during the study and within 48 hours
of the last visit by Assessor 1. Percentage of agreement and
Cohen’s Kappa was calculated comparing the scores record-
ed by Assessor 1 and the CattleEye system in binary form
(Lame/ Not Lame). The same analysis was performed for all
possible pairs on the dataset containing scores from Assessor
1, Assessor 2 and the CattleEye system. Using the lesions
recorded and their severity, cows were classified as having
at least one potentially painful lesion or not. Lesions included
in this analysis were: M2 stage of digital dermatitis, toe ulcer,
sole ulcer and severe white line disease lesions. Confusion
matrixes were calculated using the binary lesion score as ref-
erence and the binary form of Assessor 1 scores and the Cat-
tleEye scores as predictors.
291
ORAL — Lameness
Results: By the end of the study 6,040 mobility scores
were collected by Assessor 1 that also had a corresponding
CattleEye score, from which 1,102 also had corresponding
scores from Assessor 2. Foot lesions from 84 cows were re-
corded.
Assessor 1/ CattleEye
Agreement between the binary scores of Assessor 1 and
the CattleEye system for Farms 1, 2 and 3 were 82.6%, 84.1%
and 88.9% respectively. The Cohen’s Kappa for the same
combinations were 0.44, 0.34 and 0.41 respectively.
Assessor 1/ Assessor 2/ CattleEye
For Farm 2, agreements between Assessor 1 and Assessor
2, Assessor 1 and CattleEye, and Assessor 2 and CattleEye
were: 80%, 77.6% and 81.6% respectively. Cohen’s kappa for
those pairs were: 0.30, 0.26 and 0.30. Agreement among the
same pairs but for Farm 3 were: 90.1%, 88% and 85% re-
spectively. Cohen’s Kappa for those pairs for Farm 3 were:
0.44, 0.40 and 0.32 respectively. Kappa values for agreement
between Assessors 1 and 2 for farms 2 and 3 (0.30, 0.44 re-
spectively) were very similar to those between Assessor 1 and
CattleEye throughout the entire validation process (0.34, 0.41
for farms 2 and 3 respectively).
Assessor 1/ CattleEye/ Foot lesions
When using the lesion score as reference and Assessor
1 binary scores as classifier the confusion matrix produced a
combination of 35% sensitivity and 88% specificity. Positive
predictive value (PPV) was 38% and negative predictive value
(NPV) was 87%. When using CattleEye scores as classifiers
the confusion matrix produced a combination of 71% sensi-
tivity and 81% specificity; PPV was 43% and NPV was 93%.
Conclusion: This study shows that the CattleEye system
had a comparable performance to two experienced scorers
when mobility score was used as a reference and outper-
formed the human scorer when lesion presence was used as
the gold standard.
Keywords: Automatic lameness detection, dairy cattle.
LA-04
Sole Soft Tissue Thickness changes over the Periparturient
Period and its Association with Sole Ulcers in Dairy Cattle
Bethany Griffiths1, Alkiviadis Anagnostopoulos1, Matthew Barden1,
Androniki Psifidi2, Georgios Banos3, Georgios Oikonomou1.
University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom; 2Royal Veterinary
1 Initial analyses have highlighted that freshly calved animals
College, London, United Kingdom; 3Scotland's Rural College,
Midlothian, United Kingdom.
Objectives: Sole ulcers are a leading cause of lameness
in dairy cattle. Despite their importance, we are still yet to fully
elucidate their aetiopathogenesis. The sole soft tissues, which
includes the digital cushion, has been theorised to play a role
in the development of these lesions (Newsome et al., 2017).
This abstract describes preliminary analyses of SSTT data
collected longitudinally on a large number of dairy cows. The
objective of this analysis was to describe periparturient chang-
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
292
es SSTT measurements and its association with a number of
explanatory variables.
Materials & Methods: Across four commercial UK dairy
farms, 2,352 Holstein Friesian cows were prospectively en-
rolled prior to a calving date expected to occur between April
and September 2019. Animals were assessed at four time
points relative to their calving date; prior to calving (mean: -55
days, standard deviation (SD): 18), immediately post-calving
(mean: +5 days, SD: 3), during early lactation (mean: +84
days, SD: 14) and again in late lactation (mean: +200 days,
SD: 31). At each check the animals were mobility and body
condition scored, all four feet were assessed for infectious and
non-infectious foot lesions and these were graded for severity.
An image of the digital cushion on the lateral claw of the hind
left foot was taken using B mode ultrasonography for mea-
surement at a later date.
In total 7,866 digital cushion images were analysed by a
single assessor blinded to cow, farm and stage of lactation and
using Image J software. Univariable analysis was undertaken.
Simple linear regression models were constructed, from which
least square means were calculated and Tukey HSD tests un-
dertaken (R Core Team, 2020). The SSTT was the outcome
variable.
Results: The SSTT nadir was shortly after calving, with
SSTT then increasing throughout lactation (P <.0001). Parity
was significant, with lower parity animals having significantly
thinner SSTT compared to higher parity animals (P <.0001),
this was especially apparent for primiparous compared to mul-
tiparous animals. There were significant differences in SSTT
between farms (P<.0001), and a farm by stage interaction was
noted (P<.0001). Two distinct patterns of SSTT change over
the course of the lactation emerged. The first is as previously
described, the SSTT starts relatively high, drops at calving and
then increases in size again throughout lactation. This was ev-
ident on two of the farms. The other pattern featured a decline
in SSTT from the dry period through to the nadir at early lacta-
tion, the SSTT then recovers in size by the late lactation visit.
An interesting parity by time point of measurement by sole ul-
cer incidence interaction was also observed. Primiparous ani-
mals that developed a sole ulcer in early lactation exhibited a
greater drop in SSTT thickness at calving compared to those
primiparous animals which did not develop a sole ulcer. This
change was echoed in the multiparous animals, but was not as
sizeable. Initial analysis has also indicated that taller cows had
thicker SSTTs, whilst cows with thinner sole horn had thicker
sole soft tissues.
Conclusion: To the best of the author’s knowledge this is
the largest study of sole soft tissue thickness measurements.
and heifers have significantly thinner sole soft tissues and our
project adds further evidence that fresh cow management and
heifer management are important stages for managing the risk
of lameness in the production cycle of dairy cows.
Acknowledgements: The authors thank BBSRC and AHDB
for their support.
References:
Newsome RF, Green MJ, Bell NJ, Bollard NJ, Mason CS,
Whay HR and Huxley JN 2017. A prospective cohort study
of digital cushion and corium thickness. Part 1: Associations
with body condition, lesion incidence, and proximity to calving.

Journal of Dairy Science 100, 4759–4771.
R Core Team (2020). R: A language and environment for
statistical computing. R Foundation for Statistical Computing,
Vienna, Austria. URL https://www.R-project.org/.
Keywords: Dairy, Lameness, Sole Ulcer, Digital Cushion.
LA-05
Use of intra-articular administration of isopropyl alcohol
for facilitated ankylosis of the distal interphalangeal joint
in cattle with septic arthritis
Katharine Simpson1, Chad Baumwart2, Robert Callan1.
Colorado State University, Fort Collins, United States; 2Highland
1 life. Thus, we aimed to describe the impact of lameness in
Veterinary Clinic, Arapahoe, Oklahoma, United States.
Objectives: To determine whether intra-articular (IA) in-
jection of 70% isopropyl alcohol and hoof block application to
the adjacent healthy claw will result in clinical ankylosis of the
distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ) in cattle with septic arthritis
(SA), and whether lameness scores will be improved.
Materials and Methods: Four beef cows were diagnosed
with SA of the DIPJ via clinical and radiographic exam (4),
and/or culture of synovial fluid (2). Lameness scores were re-
corded. Six to 20 mLs of 70% isopropyl alcohol was admin-
istered into the affected DIPJ following regional intravenous
perfusion of 2% lidocaine. A wooden hoof block was affixed
to the adjacent healthy claw. Cattle were re-examined, lame-
ness re-scored following hoof block removal, and clinical de-
termination of ankylosis performed at follow-up visits at 2.5
– 7 (average 3.8) months later. Radiographs were repeated if
economics permitted (2 cases). Long-term follow-up (> 1 year)
was obtained by clinical and radiographic exam (1), by video
(1), and/or via contacting the owner by telephone (all cases).
Results: All 4 cows had improved lameness scores and
clinical ankylosis of the affected DIPJ. Long-term follow-up
indicated that all cattle were pasture sound. Two cows had
calved and all 4 were rebred. All owners expressed satisfac-
tion with the outcome.
Conclusions: Clinical ankylosis and improved lameness
scores were observed following an IA injection of 70% isopro-
pyl alcohol into the DIPJ in cows with SA. All cows remained in
the herd and were productive. Additional studies are warrant-
ed to determine efficacy of this procedure.
Keywords: Lameness, cattle, septic arthritis.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
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LA-06
Impact of hoof lesions and moment of occurrence in milk
production in dairy cattle
Almudena Molinero Arguello1, Nayara Magalhaes Goncalves2, Juana
C. C. Chagas3, Phd Marcos Inácio Marcondes4.
1
UNIFORM-Agri BV, Pamplona, Spain; 2UNIFORM-Agri BV, Belo
Horizonte, Brazil; 3Affiliation: Department of Agricultural Research for
Northern Sweden, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU),
Skogsmarksgränd, 90183, Umeå, Sweden; 4Dairy Cattle Production
and Nutrition, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Brazil.
Objectives: Lameness is one of the main reasons for ear-
ly culling in dairy cattle. Most lameness cases are caused by
lesions in the hooves with dramatic consequences in cow’s
milk production, depending on hoof lesion type and moment
of occurrence.
Materials and methods: In this retrospective study, we
used records of 5.565 cows from four farms located in the UK,
which included data from 86,407 Milk Test records between
September 2014 and October 2019. Lactations with less than
five records were removed from the dataset. Lameness was
considered as affecting MY if observed at least 21 d before
the milk test day, and was scored as 1) horn lesions, and 2) in-
fectious diseases of the hoof. Non-specified lameness lesions
were removed from the databank. The effect of lameness on
milk yield was studied based on the drop in MY when cow
was lame. Firstly, we removed all lameness records from the
data and fitted a wood’s curve (WC) for each cow and lactation
number. Secondly, we returned the lameness data to the data-
bank and tested the effect of lameness in each WC parameter
following the model: MY = ( 1+ 1×Lame) × Wk 2+ 2*Lame × e-( 3+
3*Lame) × Wk
, where 1, 2 and 3 were parameters determined for
each cow, 1, 2 and 3 were the effect of lameness on MY, Lame
is the binary occurrence of lameness, and Wk is the week of
lactation. The lameness score (LS) was tested on all parame-
ters. Lastly, a general WC was fit including in the general WC
to estimate the MY loss throughout the lactation. Farm was
included as random effect in all models. The model was run
using PROC NLMIXED (SAS University edition) and parame-
ters were considered different when P < 0.05.
Results: A total of 180 cows had, at some point of their life,
a LS recorded. There were 87 cows with LS 1 and 93 with LS
2. Number of lactation when lameness occurred varied from
1st lactation to 10th lactation. Also, there was a big variability
of occurrence among days in milk (from 4 to 443). The LS did
not impact 1 (P = 0.119) but did affect 2 (P = 0.029) and 3 (P
=0.046). Additionally, lameness did not impact 1 parameter (P
= 0.397), thus one equation was fit for each LS as follows: LS
= 1) MY = 34.064 × Wk0.160-0.025×Lame × e-(0.018-0.002×Lame) × Wk; and LS
= 2) MY = 34.064 × Wk0.160-0.080×Lame × e-(0.018-0.007×Lame) × Wk. Com-
pared to her colleagues, a lame cow had a lower milk yield at
lactation peak. Lame cows with an infectious disease had a
peak production of 38,5 kg/d and 36 kg/d at peak for cows with
hoof horn lesions, while healthy cows had on average 41,5
kg/d of milk production at peak. Milk loss was, on average,
between 0,9 kg/day and 1,8 kg/day. Our analysis revealed that
in some cases, infectious disease had no impact in milk loss
(late lactating cows). On the other hand, cows with hoof horn
293
ORAL — Lameness
lesions had a milk yield loss from 0,25 kg/day to 4,5 kg/day.
Week of lactation where lameness occurred had a strong im-
pact in milk production. Highest loss was detected between
weeks 12 and 19 of lactation, and percentage of total milk loss
during this period was up to 4,7% for horn lesions and up to
12% for infection diseases of the hoof.
Conclusions: In conclusion, lameness impacted milk pro-
duction and it is lower for infectious diseases than for hoof
horn lesions. Additionally, the lameness impact is related with
the time of lameness occurrence, being higher during weeks
12-13 of lactation.
Keywords: Lameness, dairy cattle, milk losses.
LA-07
A Disinfection Field Trial to Remove Bovine Digital
Dermatitis Treponemes from Hoof Knives after Foot-
Trimming
Amy Gillespie1, Stuart Carter1, Roger Blowey2, Nicholas Evans1.
University of Liverpool, Institute of Infection and Global Health, United
1
Kingdom; 2Wood Veterinary Group, Gloucester, United Kingdom.
Objectives: Although lameness caused by bovine dig-
ital dermatitis (BDD) is widespread and much researched,
the mode of transmission has not been clarified. Hoof knives
become contaminated with BDD treponemes during foot-trim-
ming(1), and these bacteria may survive for up to two hours
under aerobic conditions on hoof knife blades(2).
This study tested a protocol for disinfecting hoof knives
to mitigate the risk of transmitting BDD during foot-trimming.
Three disinfectants were previously identified as candidates
for hoof knife disinfection in vitro using a 20 second contact
time(2). The current study tests these three disinfectants:
1:100 FAM30®, 2% Virkon® and 2% sodium hypochlorite- un-
der field conditions during foot-trimming.
Materials and Methods: This study was approved by the
University of Liverpool Veterinary Research Ethics Committee
(Ref: VREC662).
Samples were collected on three commercial farms during
foot-trimming of 133 BDD-affected feet from lactating dairy
Table 1. The effect of disinfectants on viable treponemes on hoof trimming knives (determined by PCR of cultures), before use, post-
trimming and post-disinfection. In all samples knife-BDD lesion contact occurred during trimming.
Disinfectant PRE-TRIMMING
  Treponema BDD phylogroups
genus
2% Virkon® (n=32) 0/32 0/32
2% sodium 0/21 0/21
hypochlorite (n=21)
1:100 FAM30® 0/20 0/20
(n=20)
Water 0/38 0/38
(n=38)
Total (n=111) 0/111 0/111
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
294
cattle. Swabs were taken from each hoof knife before trimming
(as a negative control) and after trimming. Knives were briefly
rinsed in water to remove gross contamination, then the blade
was submerged for 20 seconds in one of three disinfectants
(1:100 FAM30®, 2% Virkon® and 2% sodium hypochlorite) or
water only for comparison. A third swab was taken to provide
post-disinfection samples. There was no hoof knife contact
with the BDD lesion during trimming in 22 cases, whilst contact
was made with the lesion in 111 cases for treatment purposes.
Detection of bacteria from the Treponema genus, and from
three known BDD-associated pathogenic phylogroups, was
undertaken via two methods. Nested PCR of sample swabs
taken directly from the hoof knife blades, and nested PCR of
samples extracted from cultures given six weeks to grow was
carried out according to previously established protocols (2).
The former method is more sensitive for detecting Treponema
DNA and the latter provides a measure of bacterial viability
demonstrated by an ability to grow in liquid medium.
Results: Where direct contact was not made with BDD
lesions during trimming, 12/22 (54.5%) of swabs taken from
hoof knives were positive for at least one of the three patho-
genic phylogroups after trimming using nested PCR. After dis-
infection 10/22 (45.4%) remained DNA positive. In terms of
microorganism viability, pathogenic treponemes were detect-
ed by nested PCR of cultures after six weeks in 1/22 (4.5%) of
these cases after trimming, and disinfection using 2% Virkon®
removed culturable organisms.
Where contact was made with BDD lesions (n= 111), 100%
of swabs taken from hoof knives after trimming and tested di-
rectly were DNA positive for at least one of the three pathogen-
ic phylogroups. After disinfection 38/111 (34.3%) of knives re-
mained DNA positive. Pathogenic treponemes were detected
by nested PCR of cultures after six weeks in 47/111 (42.3%) of
cases after trimming. All three disinfectants (and water alone)
were effective at removing culturable organisms (Table 1).
Conclusions: BDD-associated treponemes can be culti-
vated from hoof knives in 4.5% of cases after foot-trimming of
BDD affected feet where no contact is made with the lesion.
Where contact has been made with BDD lesions, BDD trepo-
nemes are culturable in 42.3% of cases. Rinsing hoof knives
briefly in water then disinfecting the blades for 20 seconds in
1:100 FAM30®, 2% Virkon® or 2% sodium hypochlorite was
shown to be effective for removing culturable BDD-associated
treponemes from hoof knives.
POST-TRIMMING POST-DISINFECTION
Treponema BDD phylogroups Treponema BDD phylogroups
genus genus
18/32 13/32 0/32 0/32
10/21 10/21 0/21 0/21
12/20 10/20 0/20 0/20
24/38 14/38 0/38 1038
64/111 (57.7%) 47/111 (42.3%) 0/111 0/111

References:
1. Sullivan LE, Blowey RW, Carter SD, Duncan JS et
al. Presence of digital dermatitis treponemes on cat-
tle and sheep hoof trimming equipment. Vet Rec.
2014;201.
2. Gillespie A, Carter SD, Blowey RW, Evans N. Survival
of bovine digital dermatitis treponemes on hoof knife
blades and the effects of various disinfectants. Vet
Rec. 2019;67.
Keywords: Digital dermatitis, Treponeme, Lameness,
Foot-trimming, Disinfection.
LA-08
Comparing the effect of timing of routine early lactation
foot inspection and trimming (if required) on fertility
performance in high yielding dairy cows
Jonathan Duncan1, Helen Higgins2, George Oikonomou2.
1
Willows Vet Group, Northwich, United Kingdom; 2University of
Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
A randomised, positive-controlled trial to compare the ef-
fect of timing of routine early lactation foot inspection and trim-
ming (if required) on fertility performance in high yielding dairy
cows.
Objectives: Routine, early lactation foot inspection and
trimming (if necessary) is a common preventative strategy
used to reduce lameness and improve productivity. The per-
ceived benefits are well accepted across the industry and
some evidence does exist to support the use of this interven-
tion (Oultram and others 2017, Griffiths and others 2018).
However, evidence regarding the optimal timing of this inter-
vention is scarce. Anecdotally, it is suggested that handling
animals for routine foot inspections and treatment (if required)
very early in lactation (and therefore around the end of the
voluntary waiting period), could provide enough stress to have
a detrimental effect on fertility. This randomised controlled trial
was designed to assess the subsequent fertility of dairy cows
that were randomly allocated at calving to one of two different
treatments, receiving early lactation foot inspections and trims
at either 26-64 days in milk (early routine inspection +/- trim,
EIT), or 76-114 days in milk (late routine inspection +/- trim,
LIT).
Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on a
single large dairy unit in the UK and all cows were inspected/
trimmed by the same qualified foot trimmer who was blinded to
the treatment groups. 1,885 were initially randomly allocated
(at calving) to one of the two different treatments. Data related
to animals’ reproductive performance were available from the
farm’s management software. Multivariable logistic regression
and Kaplan-Meyer time to event analyses were used for data
analysis.
Results: 1,885 animals were initially randomly allocated to
one of the two treatment groups but only 985 of them did ac-
tually receive a trim. From these animals, 543 did receive their
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trim within the correct, randomly allocated, time window. This
was due to unforeseen circumstances associated with farm
staffing. Of the 543 cows eventually used for data analysis,
304 were in the EIT treatment group and 239 were in the LIT
treatment group. Lactation group was a significant predictor of
pregnancies per artificial insemination (P/AI) to first service.
An effect of treatment group could not be supported for P/
AI to first service, time to conception or time to first service
analyses. Median time to conception (95% lower and upper
confidence limits) was 106 (94 – 112) days for EIT and 112
(97 – 129) for LIT (P = 0.99).
Conclusion: Industry standard timing for early lactation
routine inspection +/- trimming is usually at 80-100 days in
milk. Our data provide a degree of confidence that subsequent
reproductive performance will not be affected, if animals are
inspected earlier. An earlier foot inspection and trim if required,
may help remodelling of the foot prior to sole ulcer formation,
but further work is required in order to test this hypothesis.
Keywords: Dairy Cattle, Lameness, Fertility, Routine
Trimming, Conception.
LA-09
Evaluation of the use of ketoprofen for the treatment of
digital dermatitis in dairy cattle: a randomised, positive
controlled, clinical trial
Konstantina Kasiora1, Alkiviadis Anagnostopoulos1, Cherril
Bedford1, Theologia Menka1, Matthew Barden1, Bethany Eloise
Griffiths1, Damien Achard2, Katherine Timms3, Vinicius Silva
Machado4, Amy Coates1, George Oikonomou1.
1
University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom; 2CEVA Animal
Health LTD, Libourne, France; 3CEVA Animal Health, Amersham,
United Kingdom; 4Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, United
States.
Objectives: Digital dermatitis (DD) is one of the main dis-
eases causing lameness in dairy cattle and it is described as
an infectious dermatitis of the digital skin that can be painful to
touch (Krull et al. 2016). Given that DD is a painful condition,
the use of NSAIDs alongside antibiotic treatment may be jus-
tified on welfare and possibly on economic grounds; however,
this is yet to be proven. The objective of this randomized, posi-
tively controlled study was to explore the potential benefits of a
single administration of ketoprofen when treating active digital
dermatitis lesions.
Materials and Methods: 158 cows that presented signs of
active DD (M1, M2 or M4.1 stage) were randomly allocated to
either the control or the treatment group. All cows were treated
with topical application of oxytetracycline spray. The treatment
group additionally received an intramuscular injection of ke-
toprofen (3 mg/kg, Ketofen 10%, Ceva Animal Health). Cows
were mobility scored just before they were treated and then
again one week later. Information regarding their daily milk
production was also collected. Treatments for each animal
from both the control and the treatment group were adminis-
tered by one person, who also performed the lesion examina-
295
ORAL — Lameness
tion. The mobility score assessor was not involved in treating
the cows. Multivariable regression models were used for data
analyses.
Results: Animals in the control group were at 2.57 (95%
C.I.: 0.82-8.01, P = 0.10) times higher odds to be lame at the
second evaluation compared to those that received ketopro-
fen as well. This was a numeric but not statistically significant
difference. When only cows that were lame prior to treatment
were considered, cows that did not receive ketoprofen were
at 20.20 (95% C.I.: 1.40 – 291.29, P = 0.03) higher odds of
remaining lame a week post treatment comparing to cows
that did receive ketoprofen. Cows that received ketoprofen did
produce more milk per day the week after treatment than the
cows in the control group with adjusted means (± standard
error) being 45.35 ± 0.71 and 42.37 ± 0.87 kg per day respec-
tively (P < 0.01). The effect of ketoprofen administration was
more prominent on cows that were freshly calved and lame at
enrolment; these cows produced 58.38 ± 1.85 kg per day the
week after treatment if they were in the ketoprofen treatment
group comparing to the control ones that produced 47.89 ±
1.81 kg per day (P <0.05) .
Conclusions
The addition of ketoprofen in the treatment of active DD le-
sions appears to have potential benefits for animal welfare as
it was associated with an improvement in lameness status and
for animal productivity as it was associated with an increased
daily milk production. Further research would prove useful to
solidify the value of NSAIDs when treating active DD lesions.
References:
Krull AC, Shearer JK, Gorden PJ, Scott HM, Plummer PJ.
Digital dermatitis: natural lesion progression and regression in
Holstein dairy cattle over 3 years. J Dairy Sci. 2016.
Keywords: Digital dermatitis, Lameness, NSAIDs, Keto-
profen.
LA-10
Investigating the use of thermal imaging as a diagnostic tool
for the detection of different stages of Digital Dermatitis in
dairy cattle
Alkiviadis Anagnostopoulos1, Katherine Williams1, Matthew
Barden1, Bethany Griffiths1, Cherrill Bedford1, Mollie Rudd1,
Androniki Psifidi2, Georgios Banos3, Georgios Oikonomou1.
University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Neston, United Kingdom;
1
Royal Veterinary College, North Mymms, Hertfordshire, United
2
Kingdom; 3Scotland's Rural University College, Roslin Institute
Building, Easter Bush, Midlothian, United Kingdom.
Objectives: Bovine Digital Dermatitis (BDD) is one of the
major causes of lameness in dairy cattle with increasing eco-
nomic and welfare importance1. The use of Infrared Thermog-
raphy (IRT) imaging could prove a non-invasive and reliable
diagnostic tool for the early detection of BDD lesions. Our aims
were to (1) determine how interdigital skin temperature (IST),
measured using infrared thermography, was associated with
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
296
different stages of digital dermatitis (DD) lesions and (2) de-
velop and validate models that can use IST measurements to
identify cows with an active DD lesion.
Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on
four dairy farms in the UK. Between March 2019 and March
2020, infrared thermographic images of hind feet were taken
from 2,334 Holstein cows. We recorded the maximum tem-
perature reading from infrared thermographic images of the
interdigital skin between the heel bulbs on the hind feet. A Flir
E8 Wi-Fi Thermal Camera was used. Pregnant animals were
enrolled approximately 1 to 2 mo precalving, reassessed 1 wk
after calving, and again at approximately 50 to 100 d post-
partum. At these time points, IST and the clinical stage of DD
(M-stage scoring system2: M1–M4.1) were recorded in addi-
tion to other data such as the ambient environmental tempera-
ture, height, body condition score, parity, and the presence of
other foot lesions. A mixed effect linear regression model with
IST as the dependent variable was fitted. Subsequently, the
capacity of IST measurements to detect the presence or ab-
sence of an active DD lesion (M1, M2, or M4.1) was explored
by fitting logistic regression models, which were tested using
10-fold validation. A mixed effect logistic regression model with
the presence of active DD as the dependent variable was fitted
first. This model was then restricted so that only explanatory
variables that could be practically recorded in a nonresearch,
external setting were included.
Results: A total of 2,334 cows were included in this proj-
ect, providing a total of 12,221 hind feet with lesion records
and thermal images for analysis. The mixed effect linear re-
gression model showed that Interdigital skin temperature was
associated with DD lesions; compared to healthy feet, IST
was highest in feet with M2 lesions, followed by M1 and M4.1
lesions. The average area under the curve for mixed effect
logistic regression model was 0.80 when its ability to detect
presence of active DD was tested on 10% of the data that
were not used for the model’s training; an average sensitivity
of 0.77 and an average specificity of 0.67 was achieved. Vali-
dation of the simplified logistic regression model demonstrated
an average area under the curve of 0.78, a sensitivity of 0.88,
and a specificity of 0.66 for 1 of the time points (precalving).
Lower sensitivity and specificity were achieved for the other 2
time points.
Conclusion: The study showed that IRT imaging can be
effective in detecting active BDD lesions. M2 stage lesions re-
sulted in the highest IST which was significantly higher than
that of any other stage. Additionally, we highlight the potential
for infrared thermography to be used for routine on-farm diag-
nosis of active DD lesions.
References:
1. Evans NJ, Murray RD, Carter SD. Bovine digital der-
matitis: Current concepts from laboratory to farm. Vet
J. 2016;211:3-13. doi:10.1016/j.tvjl.2015.10.028.
2. Solano L, Barkema HW, Jacobs C, Orsel K. Valida-
tion of the M-stage scoring system for digital derma-
titis on dairy cows in the milking parlor. J Dairy Sci.
2017;100(2):1592-1603. doi:10.3168/jds.2016-11365.
Keywords: Digital dermatitis, thermography, dairy cattle.

LA-11
Time-series observations of cattle mobility: accurate label
assignment from multiple assessors, and association with
lesions detected in the feet.
Konstantina Linardopoulou1, Lorenzo Viora1, Francesco Fioranelli2,
Julien Le Kernec1, Qammer Abbasi1, George King1, Elena Borelli1,
Nicholas Jonsson1.
University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom; 2TU Delft, Delft,
1
Netherlands.
Objectives: To provide accurate diagnostic labels to ma-
chine learning algorithms for automated mobility analysis in
cattle, we compared repeated subjective lameness scores
from multiple assessors with the presence of lesions at re-
peated hoof examinations. We aimed to determine the extent
to which mobility classification by multiple assessors and its
variations using video capture was associated with identifying
lesions during sequential hoof-trimmer examinations.
Materials and Methods: We recorded videos of 40+ cows
fortnightly on 9 visits (405 recordings), and the 4 hoof exam-
inations (HE) performed monthly (176 records). The record-
ed videos were assessed individually by expert assessors - 3
on visits 1-5 and 4 on visits 6-9. The “AHDB-Dairy” system
(scores 0,1,2,3; 0 no abnormality - 3 severe lameness) was
used throughout. Evaluators were shown calibration videos
(AHDB 0-3) before scoring each visit. Assessors could record
a second score if they were not confident in their assessment.
A convergent score (ConvS) was constructed for each cow and
visit where the maximum agreement was sought from second
scores where the first scores differed among assessors. After
completing individual scoring for each visit, the assessors con-
vened to discuss each video and agreed to reach a consensus
score (CS) for each cow. Each score ConvS and CS were con-
verted to a binary score in which 0/1 became 0 (not lame), and
2/3 became 1 (lame), giving binary convergent scores (Con-
vSB), and binary consensus scores (CSB). The probability of
lameness (PL) of any animal was estimated with the Bayesian
loss function using the 1st AHDB scores. A binary score for the
hoof lesions (HLS) was derived; 1= any of white line disease,
sole ulcer, digital dermatitis, stones, cracks, underrun; 0=none
of these. The scores from all scoring methods were used as
the dependent variables in generalized linear models (GLM)
with the scores from HLS and lactation number as explana-
tory variables. The performance (coefficients and p-values) of
the GLMs were compared among the scoring methods for the
visits immediately preceding and following a foot examination.
The Bonferroni correction was applied to give alpha = 0.002
as 24 association tests were conducted. We calculated the
Cohen’s and Fleiss’ Kappa Κ inter-rater reliability (IIR) statistic
for the individual ratings for each visit.
Results: In total 393 videos were retained for scoring af-
ter eliminating unsuitable videos. The IRR between assessors
ranged from poor (Κ = 0.0038) to moderate (Κ = 0.565) agree-
ment. Κ values and percentage agreement differed significant-
ly between scoring methods (ConvSB> ConvS > CSB > CS)
and visits (no consistent pattern observed). The GLM showed
a weak effect on lactation number (p ranged 0.01-0.64), and
only weak associations were seen between lameness and the
presence of lesions: 2 out of 24 GLMs showed statistically
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Lameness
significant relationships between mobility score and the pres-
ence of lesions (p<0.002), both of them from the PL for the 4th
HE (Visit-8~Exam-4 (p=0.0011, coeff=0.31), Visit-9~Exam-4
(p=0.0016, coeff=0.32). The choice of the outcome variable
(scoring methods or loss function) did not significantly affect
the p-values or the coefficients in the GLMs (p>0.05). Howev-
er, there was a significant negative effect of visits on the p-val-
ues of the GLMs with HLS (average for all visits, p = 0.030)
and a significant positive effect on the coefficients (average for
all visits = 0.22).
Conclusions: The agreement among raters when using
the AHDB scoring method was poor but was improved by bina-
ry transformation and convergent scoring. However, the sys-
tem used for aggregating scores and assigning labels did not
significantly affect the strength of the GLM models. Through-
out the study, agreement among raters improved, and the re-
lationship between hoof lesions and all mobility score meth-
ods became significantly stronger, as indicated by diminishing
p-values and increasing coefficient estimates. The addition of
an extra scorer after visit5 might also have been a factor. We
consider that the loss-function approach to aggregating mul-
tiple assessments performed slightly better than the other ap-
proaches and is worth further investigation. Our findings high-
light the challenges of making reliable mobility assessments in
cows to be used as labels for automated lameness detection.
Keywords: Lameness, mobility classification, time-series,
labels, automated detection.
LA-12
Can a three-point locomotion scoring system reflect the
actual claw health?
Sarah Hertle1, Isabella Lorenzini1, Katharina Grimm2, Bernhard
Haidn1.
Bavarian State Research Centre for Agriculture, Poing, Germany;
1
Hoof Health Associates, Dres. med. vet. Fiedler, Grimm und Kröger,
2
Munich, Germany.
Objectives: The detection of lame cows is the first task
when it comes to dealing with lameness on dairy farms. Early
identification of lameness and thus of claw problems enables
immediate treatment and therefore prevents further disease
progression. This not only leads to reduced treatment costs,
but also minimises production losses, reduces early cow re-
placements and increases cows’ individual wellbeing. The aim
of this study was to validate a three-point locomotion scoring
system to evaluate its suitability for future lameness scorings.
Material & Methods: The investigated locomotion score
was established as an in practice applicable reference system
in 2017 during a project about indirect automatic lameness de-
tection. With this scoring system, cows with an irregular, asym-
metric and uneven gait are scored as “lame” (score=3), cows
without gait alterations, but showing signs like head bobbing,
an arched back or a compensatory posture are considered
“unsound” (score=2), and animals who present without any of
these features are categorised as “sound” (score=1).
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ORAL — Lameness
In a first examination, this locomotion score was tested on
two different Bavarian dairy farms in a new project on indi-
rect automatic lameness detection. Locomotion scoring was
performed one day prior to farm claw trimming by examining
video recordings of the cows leaving the milking robot. The
results of locomotion scoring were compared to the findings
of the farm claw trimming together with a pain test carried out
with claw pliers on each claw. A three-level lesion score was
assigned to the observations recorded during claw trimming.
Score 1 was given to animals with a negative pain test without
any visible findings or with minor disorders like sole bleedings,
stage 1 digital dermatitis or chronic defects like stage 4 digital
dermatitis. Cows with either a positive pain test without find-
ings or the combination of a negative pain test and clinical
findings like white line disease, ulcers, tylomas, laminitis or
acute digital dermatitis (stages 2 and 4.1) were rated as score
2. Score 3 was given to animals experiencing pain and concur-
rently suffering from noticeable claw diseases.
The analysed data was comprised of two different data-
sets, each including two different claw trimming dates. The
first dataset included data from 110 cows from November 2020
and May 2021 and included findings documented by claw trim-
mers as a reference. The second one consisted of data from
115 cows from July and November 2021 and had the results
recorded by a veterinarian as a reference.
In a subsequent investigation, the intra- and inter-rater
agreement were calculated for the locomotion scoring system
using observations from 355 cows on one project farm.
Quadratic weighted Cohen’s kappa (K), the 95% confi-
dence interval (CI) as well as the percentage of agreement
(PA) were calculated for all datasets of both examinations.
Results: Regarding the comparison of lesion and loco-
motion score, K was 0.51 (CI=0.34-0.68) for the first dataset
and the PA was 66.4%. The results of the second dataset on
the other hand showed better results (K=0.72, CI=0.58-0.86,
PA=80%), which imply that the actual value might be moder-
ate to almost perfect.
For the intra-rater agreement, the computed PA yielded
93% and the K 0.89 (CI=0.84-0.94), indicating an almost per-
fect agreement. The inter-rater reliability resulted in a PA=82
% and K=0.72 (CI=0.64-0.81), meaning the inter-rater reliabil-
ity was substantial to almost perfect.
The examination of the first dataset showed deficits which
might have been caused by missing claw health information,
as some findings may have not been documented by claw
trimmers. More promising results were achieved with the val-
idation of the second dataset and the inter-/ intra-rater agree-
ment.
Conclusion: In conclusion, the validation based on the
second dataset and the examination of the inter-/ intra-rater
agreement show that in this study the three-point locomo-
tion scoring system was a reliable reference system for claw
health. In order to generalise and confirm the presented re-
sults additional comparable data sets from other farms and
observers should be examined.
The project is supported by funds of the Federal Ministry
of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) based on a decision of the
Parliament of the Federal Republic of Germany. The Federal
Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE) provides coordinating
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
298
support for digitalisation in agriculture as funding organisa-
tion.
Keywords: Lameness, Claw Health, Locomotion Scoring.
LA-13
Effectiveness of tildipirosin injectable solution for the
treatment of naturally-occurring acute, bovine interdigital
necrobacillosis (foot rot) caused by Fusobacterium
necrophorum
Andre Pacheco De Carvalho1, Carlos Roberto Da Silva2, Francisco
Barufi1, Heitor Amaral1, Luis Vettorato1, Mauricio Morais1, Rafael
Chiummo3, Siddartha Torres4, Rodolfo Mingoti1.
MSD Animal Health, São Paulo, Brazil; 2GAIA- Saúde Animal Ltda,
1
Uberlândia, Brazil; 3MSD Animal Health Innovation, Schwabenheim,
Germany; 4Merck Animal Health, Madison, NJ, United States.
Objectives: Foot rot disorders in cattle are necrotic dis-
eases that affect the connective tissue of the interdigital region
and are caused by bacteria, mainly Fusobacterium necropho-
rum. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of a
treatment with a single subcutaneous dose of tildipirosin in-
jectable solution (Zuprevo®) against naturally occurring foot
rot.
Materials and methods: Fifty-nine Crossbred bulls (Bos
taurus × Bos indicus), aged between 18 and 24 months and
300 to 500 kg BW, from a commercial feedlot farm, located
in Buritizal, São Paulo, Brazil, were included. Animals were
randomized into two groups: Tild-Group (n=29) were treated
with a single subcutaneous administration of tildipirosin at a
dose of 4 mg / kg body weight (0.022 mL Zuprevo®/ kg BW);
the Control-Group (n=30) was treated subcutaneously with
0.9% saline at the same volume (0.022 mL / kg BW). Before
and after treatment, both groups were housed in the same
paddocks during rainy season. At inclusion, experimental
cattle presented lesion scores ≥ 2 (Lesion Score Guide) and
lameness scores ≥ 3 (Lameness Scoring Guide). Before treat-
ment, bacteriological samples were collected from the infected
hooves of the enrolled cattle. Lesions and lameness were also
assessed on Days 2, 4 and 7. On Day 7 another sample for a
bacteriological examination was collected from all animals and
all samples were evaluated by PCR. Efficacy was determined
by a reduction of the lesion and lameness scores and the re-
sults of the bacteriological examination of the animals infected
by Fusobacterium necrophorum 7 days after treatment com-
pared to day 0. Statistical analysis was performed by Fisher’s
Exact Test of FREQ procedure of SAS (v. 9.2; SAS Institute
Inc., Cary, NC).
Results: Comparison of the claudication scores between
days 0 and 7 revealed that 100% (29/29) of the Tild-Group
under evaluation presented a reduction of at least one point
in the score, whereas the Control-Group presented 56.7%
(17/30). Tild-Group group had 20.69% animals that showed
a reduction in lameness and lesion status and other 20.69%
that had improvement on their foot rot lesion status, and le-
sions became milder (P=0.05). On the other hand, only one

animal of the Control-Group (3.33%) reduced lameness and
lesion scores post treatment, and 10% improved their lesion
status. Prior to treatment, 68.96% (20/29) and 60% (18/30) of
animals were positive for F. necrophorum in the Tild-Group
and Control-Group, respectively. After treatment, 37.93%
(11/29) and 73.33% (22/30) animals were positive for F. necro-
phorum in Tild-Group and Control-Group, respectively. Tild-
Group showed a statistically and clinically significant decrease
(P<0.05) in the occurrence of F. necrophorum 7 days after
treatment (P<0.05) compared to day 0.
Conclusion: This study demonstrates the efficacy of til-
dipirosin in the treatment of naturally occurring F. necropho-
rum related foot rot in cattle under typical feedlot conditions
in Brazil.
Keywords: Foot rot, tildipirosin, cross-breed bulls, Brazil.
LA-14
Associations of host genotype with foot skin microbiota
profiles and digital dermatitis related bacteria
Veysel Bay1, Enrique Sánchez-Molano2, Amy Gillespie3, Georgios
Banos2, Georgios Oikonomou4.
1
Ege University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Animal Science,
Turkey; 2The Roslin Institute and R(D)SVS, University of Edinburgh,
United Kingdom; 3Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of
Liverpool, United Kingdom; 4Institute of Veterinary Science, University
of Liverpool, United Kingdom.
Objectives: Associations between host genetics and skin
microbiota profiles have been shown in humans1 and mice2.
We have recently described the bovine foot skin microbiota us-
ing 16S rRNA amplicon and shotgun metagenomic sequenc-
ing and showed associations with the development of digital
dermatitis (DD) in dairy cattle. Here we used genome wide
association and regional heritability mapping approaches to
provide first evidence for significant interactions between the
host’s genotype and the bovine foot skin microbiota profiles.
Materials and Methods: Swabs were taken from the heel
bulb region of the back-left foot of 259 cows from 3 UK farms
3-4 weeks before calving. 16SrRNA amplicon sequencing was
carried out for all samples using the Illumina® HiSeq 2500
platform, and taxonomic assignment of OTUs carried out us-
ing QIIME and the RDP classifier. Chao 1, Shannon and Simp-
son indices were calculated to describe alpha-diversity, and
weighted UniFrac distances and non-metric multidimensional
scaling values were used to describe beta-diversity.
Cattle genomic DNA samples were genotyped using a 50K
SNP chip. Genome wide association analyses (GWA) and
regional heritability mapping (RHM) of consecutive 20 SNPs
were performed to identify genomic regions associated with
various diversity indices and with the relative abundance of
genera found to be associated with the development of DD
lesions.
Results: Host genotype was not found to be associated
with the overall richness and diversity of the foot skin micro-
biome. However, significant associations were found between
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Lameness
the host’s genotype and two bacterial genera associated with
DD. The heritabilities for relative abundances of Peptoclos-
tridium spp. and Treponema spp. were 0.59 ± 0.18 and 0.52
± 0.00, respectively. One suggestive SNP on BTA6 and one
significant SNP on BTA 19 were associated with relative abun-
dance of Peptoclostridium spp. Four significant and two sug-
gestive SNPs on BTA1, one suggestive and one significant
SNP on both BTA9 and BTA17, one significant SNP on BTA16,
and one suggestive SNP on BTA2, BTA6, BTA8, BTA19,
BTA21 and BTA29 were associated with relative abundance
of Treponema spp.
On BTA1, the region associated with relative abundance
of Treponema spp. explained 9.88% of the total genomic vari-
ance and included the genes GMPS and PLCH1. GMPS en-
codes guanine monophosphate synthetase which plays a role
in de novo synthesis of guanine nucleotides; the cyclic GMP
was shown to be associated with immune signaling pathways3.
PLCH1 is a member of the phospholipase enzyme family that
generates the secondary messengers inositol 1,4,5-trisphos-
phate (IP3) and diacylglycerol (DAG) by cleaving phosphati-
dylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PtdIns(4,5)P2). Phospholipases
were shown to be involved in inflammation mechanisms4, es-
pecially the expression of PLCH1 were shown to be downreg-
ulated by lipopolysaccharides (LPS)5 which is found in the out-
er membrane of Gram-negative bacteria6. These associations
may explain the role of the genomic region on BTA1 in immune
and inflammatory response against the Gram-negative Trepo-
nema7 infections. The region associated with relative abun-
dance of Treponema spp. on BTA16 explains 34.78% of the
total genomic variance and includes the gene PTPRC encod-
ing a transmembrane tyrosine phosphatase which was shown
to be upregulated after administration of external bacteria to
the intestine of mice8.
Conclusion: In the present study, DD-linked foot skin mi-
crobiome traits were investigated using GWA and RHM ap-
proaches, leading to a first understanding of the genomic ar-
chitecture of these traits.
References:
1. Si J et al. BMC Genomics. 2015.
2. Belheouane M et al. Microbiome. 2017;5(1):59.
3. Wu J et al. Science (80- ). 2013;339(6121):826-830.
4. Lemos MVA et al. BMC Genomics. 2016;17(1):213.
5. Lo Vasco VR et al. Inflammation. 2013;36(4):862-868.
6. Heumann D & Roger T. Clin Chim Acta. 2002;323(1-
2):59-72.
7. Holt SC. Microbiol Rev. 1978;42(1):114-160.
8. Nerstedt A et al. Br J Nutr. 2007;97(6):1117-1127.
Keywords: Digital dermatitis, Microbiome, Genetics, Ge-
nomics, Lameness.
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ORAL — Lameness
LA-15
Association of subclinical ketosis with lameness, locomotion
score and hoof lesions in post-partum dairy cows
Alexandros Kougioumtzis1, Vangelis Tsiamadis1, Aikaterini Soufleri1,
Nektarios Siachos1, Georgios Arsenos1, Georgios Banos2, Georgios E.
Valergakis1.
1
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Aristotle
University of Thessaloniki, Greece, Thessaloniki, Greece; 2Faculty of
Veterinary Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Aristotle University
of Thessaloniki, Greece, Scotland's Rural College/Roslin Institute,
Edinburgh, Scotland, UK, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Objective: Lameness is a debilitating condition that neg-
atively affects animal welfare and productivity. Subclinical
ketosis (SCK) is associated with most metabolic diseases in
post-partum dairy cows but its link with lameness is not ade-
quately researched. The aim of this study was to investigate
the association of SCK with lameness severity and hoof lesion
type in Holstein dairy cows during the post-partum period.
Materials and methods: The study was conducted at a
large commercial farm located in Northern Greece and includ-
ed 288 first parity Holstein cows. All cows were blood sampled
and locomotion scored on a five-point scale weekly, during
the first 13 weeks of lactation, by an experienced veterinar-
ian. Cows with a locomotion score (LS) ≥2 were considered
lame; cows were hoof trimmed by the same veterinarian, who
identified, recorded and scored all lesions on a 1 to 3 severity
scale (mild, moderate and severe, respectively); appropriate
treatment was subsequently provided. Concentration of β-hy-
droxybutyric acid (BHBA) was measured by a spectrophotom-
eter and SCK was defined as BHBA≥1,100 μmol/L. Lesions
were categorized as either claw horn lesions (e.g. sole ulcer,
white line disease etc) or infectious (e.g. digital dermatitis,
pododermatitis etc). During the study period, cows would be
hoof-trimmed and lesions identified and recorded multiple
times if needed (a new case was defined as LS≥2, 4 weeks af-
ter the previous diagnosis). Cases of lameness were classified
in one of the following groups, based on lesion and severity
score: a) CHL (n=196): cases with only or predominately claw
horn lesions, b) INL (n=153): cases with only or predominate-
ly infectious lesions and c) CHL_INL (n=48): cases with both
type of lesions, of equal severity. The data set included 3,676
observations (BHBA measurements and locomotion scores)
and 397 cases of lameness. For each observation, cows were
classified as SCK or non-SCK. Herd level association of SCK
with cow lameness, LS and case classification (CHL, INL and
CHL_INL) was estimated with Cox regression survival anal-
ysis. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to estimate
cow median survival time (MST) of repeated observations
within each hoof lesion group. All analyses were performed
with SPSS ver. 25. Statistical significance threshold was set
at P≤0.05.
Results: Incidence of SCK and lameness was 23.96% and
82.29%, respectively. Cows with SCK were 2.7 (1.7-4.7) times
more likely to be diagnosed as lame compared to non-SCK
ones. Cows with SCK were 4.1 (2.1-8.3) times more likely to
be scored with a LS of 3 compared to non-SCK ones; SCK
was not significantly associated with LS=-2 and LS=4+5. Cows
with SCK were 3.2 (1.7-6.1) times more likely to be diagnosed
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
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as lame due to CHL and showed a tendency to be diagnosed
as lame due to CHL_INL (P=0.06), compared to non-SCK
ones. Impaired locomotion due to INL type was not significant-
ly associated with SCK. Cases classified as SCK+CHL were
diagnosed earlier, compared to non-SCK+CHL: (MST medi-
an±se) 5.00±1.65 vs. 9.00±0.43 weeks. Cases classified as
SCK+INL had a significantly shorter MST (median±se), com-
pared to non-SCK+INL ones: 2.00±1.96 weeks vs. 7.00±0.61.
Cases classified as SCK+CHL_INL had a significantly shorter
MST (median±se), compared to non-SCK+CHL_INL ones:
2.00±0.82 weeks vs. 7.00±1.01.
Conclusion: Subclinical ketosis significantly increased
the odds and severity of lameness; in addition, SCK was as-
sociated with claw horn lesions but not with infectious ones.
Occurrence earlier in the lactation period in subclinically ketot-
ic cows is expected to aggravate the harmful effects of lame-
ness. Management efforts to reduce incidence of SCK would
favor hoof health and cow welfare.
Keywords: Lameness, subclinical ketosis, dairy cows.
LA-16
Genetic selection can reduce the incidence of claw horn
lesions in dairy cattle
Matthew Barden1, Alkiviadis Anangnostopoulos1, Bethany E.
Griffiths1, Cherry Bedford1, Marco Winters2, Bingjie Li3, Mike
Coffey3, Androniki Psifidi4, Georgios Banos3, Georgios Oikonomou1.
University of Liverpool, Neston, United Kingdom; 2AHDB, Stoneleigh,
1
United Kingdom; 3SRUC, Edinburgh, United Kingdom; 4RVC, London,
United Kingdom.
Objectives: Sole haemorrhage (SH), sole ulcers (SU),
and white line lesions (WL) are often grouped under the col-
lective term “claw horn lesions” (CHL) (Offer et al. 2000). Claw
horn lesions have a high prevalence in dairy cattle (Offer et
al. 2000) and, relative to other foot lesions, CHL have been
associated with the most severe pain responses (Pastell et
al. 2010), economic impacts (Bruijnis et al 2010), and envi-
ronmental consequences. In 2018, a genetic selection index
for lameness, termed “Lameness Advantage”, was published
by the UK Agricultural and Horticultural Development Board
(AHDB). The Lameness Advantage index is calculated using
lameness events from farm records (collected via milk record-
ing organisations) in combination with traits from type clas-
sification. The objective of this study was to determine the
association between the Lameness Advantage genetic index
and the frequency of four outcomes: sole haemorrhage (SH),
sole ulcers (SU), white line lesions (WL), and lameness during
mobility scoring.
Materials and Methods: We enrolled 2,352 Holstein dairy
cows from four farms in the UK. Cows were mobility scored
and foot lesions recorded at four time points from before calv-
ing to late lactation. Over 90% of foot lesion identification and
recording was performed by a single researcher. Cows were
genotyped and genetic indexes were assigned to each cow
following national genetic evaluations. Lameness records and

genetic indexes were successfully matched for 2,107 cows.
Four separate multivariable logistic regression models, which
included farm and parity as covariables, were used to quantify
the association between the Lameness Advantage index and
SH, SU, WL, and lameness.
Results: The odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for
one point increase in the Lameness Advantage index were
0.79 (0.72 - 0.86), 0.68 (0.59 – 0.78), 0.94 (0.84 – 1.04), and
0.82 (0.74 – 91) for SH, SU, WL, and lameness, respectively.
The same trends were present when the sire’s Lameness Ad-
vantage index was evaluated in place of the animal’s own, al-
though the strength of this association was generally weaker.
Conclusion: The Lameness Advantage index is associ-
ated with SH, SU, and lameness, therefore selection on the
Lameness Advantage index could be considered in herds aim-
ing to reduce lameness. Where genomic testing of heifers is
not conducted, sire Lameness Advantage index may still be
effective to reduce SH and SU incidence.
References:
Bruijnis MRN, Hogeveen H, Stassen EN. Assessing eco-
nomic consequences of foot disorders in dairy cattle using
a dynamic stochastic simulation model. J Dairy Sci. 2010
Jun;93(6):2419–32.
Offer JE, Logue DN, McNulty D. Observations of lame-
ness, hoof conformation and development of lesions in dairy
cattle over four lactations. Vet Rec. 2000;147(4):105–9.
Pastell M, Hänninen L, de Passillé AM, Rushen J. Mea-
sures of weight distribution of dairy cows to detect lameness
and the presence of hoof lesions. J Dairy Sci. 2010 Mar
1;93(3):954–60.
Keywords: Genetics, lameness, lameness advantage,
claw horn lesions.
LA-17
Hormonal profiles and serum biomarkers for fat
mobilisation and their association with sole ulcers in dairy
cows
Bethany Griffiths1, Alkiviadis Anagnostopoulos1, Matthew Barden1,
Cherrill Bedford1, Mollie Rudd1, John Graham- Brown1, Stuart
Carter1, Androniki Psifidi2, Georgios Banos3, Georgios Oikonomou1.
University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom; 2Royal Veterinary
1
College, London, United Kingdom; 3Scotland's Rural College,
Midlothian, United Kingdom.
Objective: Sole ulcers (SU) are painful, non-infectious
lameness causing lesions. Relaxin and insulin have been
speculated as playing an important role in their development,
through the relaxation of the suspensory apparatus at calving
or insulin dysregulation induced damage to the corium. Peri-
parturient fat mobilization has also been implicated in their de-
velopment. The objective of this study was to evaluate wheth-
er serum biomarkers for fat mobilisation and specific hormonal
profiles are associated with the odds of a cow displaying a SU
in the early lactation period.
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Materials and Methods: As part of a larger study, 371
Holstein cows from two commercial dairy farms that were due
to calve between April and September 2019 were prospec-
tively enrolled prior to calving. Animals were assessed at four
time points relative to calving date; prior to calving (mean: -59
days, SD: 30) immediately after calving (mean: +5 days, SD:
4, fresh), approximately two weeks after calving (mean: +12
days, SD: 4, fresh 2) and in early lactation (mean: +77 days,
SD: 10).
At each visit, body condition (BCS) was assessed. The
animal was restrained in a foot trimming crush, and all feet
assessed for the presence of infectious and non-infectious dis-
ease, with lesions graded for severity. Serum samples were
collected from each animal at fresh, fresh 2 and the early lac-
tation time points. Animals were excluded from the study if a
serum sample was missing. All eligible primiparous animals
(60) were enrolled and a further 140 multiparous animals were
randomly selected from the rest of the enrolled population.
Relaxin, insulin, β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) and non-esterified
fatty acids (NEFA) were measured using commercially avail-
able kits.
Univariable analysis was undertaken and a multivariable
logistic regression model was then fitted with presence of
a SU at the early lactation check as the outcome. BHB and
NEFA concentrations were categorised into normal or elevat-
ed based on reference ranges (1.2mmol/l, and 0.7mmol/l re-
spectively). Relaxin and insulin concentrations were analysed
as quartiles.
Results: In total, 600 serum samples from 200 animals
were analysed for relaxin, insulin, BHB and NEFA at three time
points (fresh, fresh 2 and early lactation). Eighteen animals
(9%) exhibited a sole ulcer at the early lactation check.
At univariable analyses, parity (P= 0.014), serum NEFA
concentrations at fresh 2 (P= 0.014), and serum relaxin con-
centration at fresh (P= 0.004) were statistically significantly as-
sociated with the presence of a SU. The latter highlighting that
animals in the first quartile (lowest relaxin concentration) were
more likely to display a SU. Trends were also noted; animals
with greater serum BHB’s at fresh 2 (P= 0.068), and NEFA at
fresh (P= 0.078) were more likely to display a SU, as were an-
imals which displayed a SU in the fresh time point (P= 0.067).
Odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for variables re-
tained within the final multivariable logistic regression model
were calculated for an animal exhibiting a SU in early lacta-
tion. Animals with elevated BHB concentrations at fresh 2 and
NEFA concentrations in early lactation were at 11.12 times
(2.07-59.69, P= 0.005) and 3.76 times (0.92-15.35, P= 0.065)
higher odds of being affected with a SU (comparing to animals
below the elevated levels threshold) respectively. Animals with
an insulin concentration in the fourth quartile (highest concen-
tration) in early lactation were 11.57 times (1.19-112.53, P=
0.035) more likely to display a SU than those in the first quar-
tile. Those in the second and third quartile were 5.49 (0.56-
53.55, P= 0.14) and 5.86 times (0.57-60.54, P= 0.14) more
likely to display a SU than those in the first quartile.
Conclusions: This preliminary analysis has confirmed
the importance of previously described risk factors (excessive
periparturient fat mobilization) and identified novel associa-
tions between serum biomarkers and the development of sole
ulcers. Further analysis is required to fully characterise this
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association between high serum insulin concentrations in ear-
ly lactation and the development of SU’s that could further our
understanding of the disease’s aetiopathogenesis.
Keywords: Sole ulcers, dairy, relaxin, insulin.
LA-18
Complexity of the relationship between behaviour,
performance, and claw health in dairy cows
Isabella Lorenzini1, Katharina Grimm2, Bernhard Haidn1.
Bavarian State Research Center for Agriculture, Grub, Germany; 2Hoof
1
Health Practice Drs. Fiedler, Grimm & Krögerr, Munich, Germany.
Objectives: Lameness in dairy cows is a sign of pain and
an important welfare issue. Cows tend to hide signs of pain,
making visual lameness detection difficult for farmers and
vets. Furthermore, research shows that farmers only recog-
nize about a quarter of lame animals on their own farms.
Digitization in dairy farming has the potential to improve
health monitoring of individual animals. Previous studies have
attempted to combine automatically collected behaviour and
performance data to indirectly detect lameness in dairy cows,
but have only achieved moderate levels of prediction accura-
cy, possibly due to the differences between individual farms
and animals and also due to the correlation between parame-
ters as well as the interactions thereof.
The aim of this study was to gain a deeper insight into the
relationship between claw health, behaviour, and performance
in dairy cows to improve indirect automatic lameness detec-
tion methods.
Materials and methods: Data was collected between
April 2017 and June 2018 on four commercial dairy farms and
one research farm in Bavaria. Claw health reference data was
collected manually by scoring the locomotion of all animals
every fortnight through videos using a three-point score. All
cows in the study were fitted with pedometers (ENGS Dairy
Solutions, Israel). The pedometers measure activity, lying and
feeding behaviour.
The data from the pedometers as well as data from two
milking robots were combined into an SQL-database calculat-
ing daily values for each parameter and each cow. The refer-
ence claw health data and data from monthly milk-yield tests
for farms with milking parlours were added to the database.
Data analysis was carried out using RStudio (R version
3.6.2). The data were cleaned, centred, scaled, and balanced
using the SMOTE algorithm. A generalised linear model with
all variables from the dataset and combinations thereof was
run using 10-fold cross validation to find relevant interaction
parameters. A random intercept was added for the individual
cows and the full multilevel model was reduced by non-signifi-
cant predictors using backward step regression.
Results: The final dataset contained 71.497 data points
from 381 different animals. The final model had 25 predic-
tors, of which 15 were interaction effects. The findings in
the study support those found in literature, such as a higher
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
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feeding duration (FD, odds ratio OR = 0.51, confidence inter-
val CI  0.49-0.53) and a later stage of lactation (OR  =  0.61,
CI 0.58-0.64) being a protective factor for lameness and that
the ratio between lying duration during daytime and night-time
(OR = 1.17, CI 1.13-1.22) and an increased lying duration per
day (LD) (OR = 1.42, CI 1.36-1.48) increased the probability of
an animal being lame.
The interaction effects were particularly interesting as they
offered insight into the complexity of the relationship between
the single predictors. The interaction effect between the av-
erage daily milk yield (MMY) and FD for example, shows that
with mean and above average FD, MMY hardly influences the
probability of a cow being lame. With a low FD however, an
increased MMY has a strong positive effect on the probability
of being lame. Similarly, a higher parity number in combination
with a low number of lying bouts (LBN) are associated with a
higher risk of lameness, possibly indicating less willingness
to stand up often. Cows in their first lactation, however, have
a higher probability of being lame if they have a high LBN.
This could be an indication of enhanced social stress in heif-
ers after first being integrated in the herd after calving, which
affects cows’ behaviour and their time budget. If this effect,
which leads to spending less time feeding and lying, is more
prominent in heifers, it could in turn affect their hoof health
more than in older cows.
Conclusions: Using automatically collected behaviour
and performance data to detect lame animals could be a
promising tool for early lameness recognition. However, using
single behaviour and performance parameters to try and pre-
dict lameness doesn’t reflect the complexity of the relationship
between claw health, behaviour, and lactation data. Further
research is needed to understand this type of interaction both
on a herd and an individual-animal level.
Keywords: Claw health, precision dairy farming, lame-
ness, behaviour, performance.
LA-21
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Organic Therapies for the
Treatment of Bovine Digital Dermatitis
Cassie Krebill1, Jan Shearer1, H. Morgan Scott2, Sebastian Umase3,
Ivan Sanabria3, Jonatan Baron3, Romina Hernandez3, Romeo
Hernandez3, Paul Plummer1.
1
Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal
Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, United States; 2Department
of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas AM &University, College Station,
United States; 3Aurora Organic Dairy, Platteville, United States.
Objectives: Bovine digital dermatitis (DD) is an infectious
bacterial disease that causes acute and chronic lameness
in dairy cattle. DD has created welfare concerns within the
dairy industry since its discovery in the United States during
the 1980s. Common effective topical therapies for DD often
include antibiotics. This makes it difficult to manage DD in or-
ganic production systems while abiding by the United States
National Organic Standards Board. The primary objective of

this prospective randomized clinical trial was to identify one
or more effective and organic-approved products to provide
improved treatment outcomes for DD.
Materials and Methods: Dairy cattle (n=385) with DD le-
sions were enrolled at D0 on two, similarly managed, commer-
cial organic dairy farms. Cows were blocked by days in milk
and lactation number for randomization and assigned to one
of four topical treatments: a.) 15 grams of copper sulfate, b.)
20 grams of iodine, c.) 20 grams of honey, and d.) 20 grams
of hydrogen peroxide. All treatments were lightly wrapped
with a bandage and removed after 3 to 5 days. The assigned
treatment was applied on D0, D7, and D14. The cows were
evaluated in a hoof-trimming chute on D0, D7, D14, D28, D56,
and D112. All data were collected by trained veterinarians and
professional hoof trimmers. Metrics of locomotion score (LO-
COSCORE: 1 = best, 2, 3, 4, 5 = worst), an adapted digital
dermatitis scoring system (DDSCORE: 1 = best, 2 3, 4, 5 =
worst), and an algometer pressure reading (ALGOSCORE:1
= worst through, 10 = best) were collected at each evaluation
to determine the effect of the assigned treatments on changes
in metrics since enrollment. Body condition scores and digi-
tal photographs of the lesion were collected and recorded at
each evaluation. Treatment failures were switched to a 50:50
copper sulfate and iodine topical solution. Statistical analyses
were performed using ordinal (proportional odds) regression
for DDSCORE and LOCOSCORE versus linear regression
for ALGOSCORE. Farm was treated as a fixed effect while
treatment by day effects were modeled in full factorial designs.
Margin means were estimated for each treatment at each day.
For ordinal outcomes the probability a cow exhibited either
score 1, 2, 3, or 4 was the outcome of interest, with increasing
probability of lower scores the desirable outcome. For ALGO-
SCORE, a more rapid rise towards higher scores was desir-
able.
Results: The results of this study show copper sul-
fate was clearly the most effective treatment to rapidly and
significantly improve all outcome measurements over the
112-day trial. Copper sulfate treatment showed a significant
(P<0.01) increase in relative odds of becoming a lower cate-
gory DDSCORE in each post treatment evaluation. With lower
scores, the physical appearance of the lesion is drier and more
regressed. Cows treated with copper sulfate were estimated
to exhibit an ALGOSCORE of 7.1 (95% CI 6.41, 7.69) at D28
compared to 3.4 (95% CI 2.47, 4.26), 4.0 (95% CI 3.16, 4.75),
and 2.7 (95% CI 1.91, 3.49) for honey, hydrogen peroxide, and
iodine respectively. The ALGOSCORE, or pain-free pressure
applied to the lesion, increases as the lesion regresses. The
analysis for LOCOSCORE resulted in copper sulfate produc-
ing the most rapid recovery and highest probability of an ideal
LOCOSCORE of a 1, no visible lameness, throughout each
follow-up evaluation. All three statistical analyses showed
global significance of treatment (3 degrees of freedom), peri-
od (5 degrees of freedom) main effects and their interactions
(p<0.05).
Conclusion: Of the four organic-approved treatments
tested in this trial, copper sulfate was by-far the most effective
treatment in decreasing DDSCORE and LOCOSCORE most
rapidly as well as increasing ALGOSCORE indicating lesion
regression and healing. While the other treatments improved
over time, none showed significantly improved changes
throughout the four interim evaluation points and there were no
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Lameness
significant differences between the non-copper sulfate groups.
All cows did show improvement over time, with cows remain-
ing in the study at D112 having improved outcome measures
compared to D0; in addition, differences were non-significant
(P>0.05) among all treatments at D112). However, the effects
of culling and switching to the alternative treatment at D28
may have confounded  those findings. Copper sulfate is the
superior topical treatment to manage bovine DD.
Keywords: Digital dermatitis, locomotion, organic.
LA-22
The Effects of Lameness on Weight Gain and Carcase
Classification of UK Finishing Cattle
Jay Tunstall, Helen Higgins, Dai Grove-White, Jo Oultram, Karin
Mueller.
University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
Objectives: Lameness in UK dairy cattle is widely re-
ported to have significant effects on yield, fertility and wel-
fare. However, the effects of lameness of UK beef cattle is
unknown. Furthermore, there is minimal information regarding
the effects of lameness on beef cattle internationally. There is
however evidence suggesting a lower price can be expected
at slaughter for cattle having experienced lameness.
The absence of appropriate information regarding the im-
pact of lameness makes treatment and prevention planning
more complicated, in particular making it more difficult to de-
termine intervention points. This lack of evidence may poten-
tially lead to lameness being undervalued as an issue, and
therefore not treated or prevented adequately.
Knowledge regarding the impact of lameness on produc-
tion measures would support veterinarian and farmer decision
making, highlighting the importance, and justifying treatment
and prevention measures. With beef finishing units, Average
Daily Live Weight Gain (ADLWG) is useful measure of per-
formance as faster growth will lead to shorter time on farm
and generally lower total input costs. Carcase classification is
another measure of performance, which represents the con-
formation and fat coverage at slaughter. Carcass classification
will affect the price per Kilogram paid to the farmer.
This study identified the effects of lameness on growth
rates and carcass classification of finishing cattle on three UK
farms.
Materials and Methods: A longitudinal observation study
was carried out on three farms located in England between
July 2018 and August 2019. Animals of interest were housed
cattle, in the finishing period and being reared for beef produc-
tion. Three farms were recruited, where eligible animals were
weighed and locomotion scored approximately monthly from
the start of the study for the duration of their time in the finish-
ing group. Slaughter dates and carcass grading information
was obtained.
Results: Farm 3 results have been presented here. On
this farm, 275 animals received at least two locomotion scoring
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visits before being finished. Of these animals, 265 were Aber-
deen Angus (AA) or AA crossbred. The mean age at slaughter
was 20.4 months (standard deviation (SD) 1.7 months). 82 of
these animals were lame at least one locomotion scoring visit,
with 34 being lame for multiple visits. Animals being scored as
lame during one or more locomotion scoring visit were more
likely to have a lower ADLWG (p<0.001) than animals never
having been scored as lame. The ADLWG from first scoring
to last scoring was 1.37Kg (SD 0.43) for animals not experi-
encing lameness, compared to 1.1Kg (SD 0.48Kg) for animals
that experienced one or more lameness events. The ADLWG
for cattle that were lame at all scoring visits was 0.66Kg (SD
0.59Kg). Details of other farms are discussed, along with car-
cass grading information and the association with lameness.
Conclusion: The ADLWG was lower for animals expe-
riencing at least one lameness event compared to animals
not experiencing a lameness event, which would correlate
with production loss data available for the dairy industry. In
the dairy industry, some evidence suggests that higher yield-
ing cattle are more likely to become lame than lower yielding
cattle. This study doesn't identify whether faster growing beef
cattle are more likely to become lame, but if true, this may be
masking some of the effects of lameness on ADLWG.
This research suggests that prevention of lame animals
may be important to increase growth rates and achieve better
carcass classification, increasing productivity and farm profit-
ability.
The authors would like to thank The Animal Welfare Foun-
dation, who supported this research through the Norman Hay-
ward Research Fund.
Keywords: Lameness, Beef, Finishers, Mobility, Locomo-
tion.
LA-23
Comparison of thiamphenicol and oxytetracycline based
topical treatments for the control of digital dermatitis
lesions in dairy cows: a multicentric randomized clinical
trial
Fabien Corbiere1, Charly De Campos1, Marc Delacroix2, François
Schelcher1.
National Veterinary School of Toulouse, Toulouse, France; 2Boen
1
Veterinary Practice, Boen sur Lignon, France.
Objectives: This trial compared the effect of the topical
administration of thiamphenicol (Taf Spray® and oxytetracy-
cline (Oxytétrin®) on the curation of Digital Dermatitis (DD)
lesions of various evolution stage.
Materials and methods: A multicentric randomized clin-
ical trial was set up in four flocks with a history of high DD
prevalence. The study involved 116 Prim-Holstein and 8
Montbéliardes cows ranging in age from first to fifth lacta-
tion and diagnosed with DD lesion on the first examination.
On the first examination (D0), hindlimb and forelimb hoofs of
included cows were cleaned, washed with clear water, dried
and trimmed by a professional hoof-trimmer, and the number,
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
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stage (M1-M4) and localization of DD lesions were recorded
by a single operator. Stainless steel forceps that allow holding
the interdigital cleft open were used for a precise assessment
of DD lesions. A multicriteria lameness score was also attribut-
ed to each cow on standing position. Photographs of each cow
in standing position and of each hoof were submitted to anoth-
er expert for an independent evaluation. Cows were randomly
assigned into either the oxytetracycline group (OTC) or the
thiamphenicol (TH) group. The topical treatments were admin-
istrated for 3 seconds on each DD lesion by the same operator
in a trimming cage, during 3 consecutive days, after the hoofs
have been cleaned and dried. For animal welfare and ethical
reasons, the study did not include a non-treated control group.
DD lesions and lameness were further evaluated at D0+7,
D0+14 and D0 +28 days using the same protocol.
All initial M1, M2 or M4 DD lesions that were subsequently
scored M0 on D7, D14 or D28 were regarded as cured, and
uncured otherwise. The probability of cure was modeled us-
ing mixed multivariate logistic models, with the DD lesion as
the epidemiological unit. The estimated effect of the treatment
group was adjusted on herd, DD lesion stage at D0, hoof level
factors (number of DD lesions at D0 observed on the hoof) and
cow level factors (number of affected hoofs, lactation number
and days in milk at D0). A treatment group x DD lesion stage
interaction was tested into the models, and a cow random ef-
fect was included. Separate models were fitted for D7, D14
and D28.
Results: In total, 225 DD lesions, including 77 M1-stage
(34.2%), 113 M2-stage (50.2) and 34 M4-stage (15.6%) were
diagnosed at D0 on 156 foots from 116 cows. A majority of
cows (77, 66.3%) had only one affected foot, 37 (31.9%) had
two affected feet and only 2 cows had three affected feet. Al-
most all DD lesions were observed on the plantar surface of
the hoof (205, 91.0%) with 49.3% of them located in the inter-
digital cleft. At D28, the overall cure rates were similar for both
treatment groups (OTC: 76.6%; TH: 79.9%, p=0.63) with M1-
stage lesions being almost all healed (OTC: 97.1, TH: 92.7%,
p=0.62). Adjusting for potential confounders, the cure odd was
marginally statistically higher in the OTC group than in the TS
group (p=0.04) at D7, but not at D14 (p=0.70) and neither at
D28 (p=0.52). No significant treatment group x lesion stage
interaction was found. Compared to M1-stage lesions, M2-
stage lesions were at a lower odd to be cured at D7 (OR=
0.17; 95%CI: 0.04-0.65, p=0.009), D14 (OR=0.10, 95%CI:
0.06-0.61, p=0.0125) and D28 (OR=0.23, 95%CI: 0.06-0.89,
p=0.029). Whatever the date and the treatment group, M4-
stage lesions had the lowest cure rate (OTC:35.2%, TH:
27.8% at D28, p=0.72).
Conclusion: In this study the use of thiamphenicol or oxy-
tetracyclin based topical treatments yielded similar cure rates.
The high cure rates found for M1-stage lesions was probably
partially due to spontaneous healing, that might have been fa-
vored the foot washing and drying before all examination and
treatment administration. This observation reinforces the piv-
otal role of foot hygiene in the control of DD. Finally, the fact
that only a low proportion of M4-stage lesions was cured after
a 28 days’ follow-up emphasizes the need to avoid chronicity
for a higher probability of positive outcome.
Keywords: Digital dermatitis, topical treatment, random-
ized clinical trial, thiamphenicol, oxytetracyclin.

LA-24
A study on the association between occurrence of Digital
Dermatitis and reproductive performance in a cohort of
maiden heifers
Lara Robinson1, Alkiviadis Anagnostopoulos2, Lauren Thomas2,
Lucy Gleave2, Rob Smith2, Georgios Oikonomou2.
1
Daleside Veterinary Group, Wrexham, United Kingdom; 2Department
of Livestock Heath and Welfare, Institute of Veterinary Science,
University of Liverpool, Neston, United Kingdom.
Objectives: Digital dermatitis (DD) is an infectious bovine
foot lesion first described in the early 1970’s1 as a painful, ero-
sive, wart like lesion. It is a common condition in dairy cattle
globally and has been shown to affect heifers too2. Given it is
a painful condition which has high herd level prevalence, DD
is an important disease for the modern dairy herd. Heifers ex-
periencing the disease pre-calving were more likely to experi-
ence it again in 1st lactation2. They also had significantly lower
conception rate and longer days open in the 1st lactation2. To
our knowledge, there has been no work looking at the associa-
tion of DD with maiden heifer fertility. The aim of this study was
to investigate whether one or more DD events in the 3-month
period before and after first service was associated with repro-
ductive performance in maiden heifers.
Materials and Methods: Data were collected from 530
Holstein heifers from one commercial dairy unit in the UK be-
tween April 2021 and December 2021. Heifers were enrolled at
an average age of 388 days and observed at monthly intervals
for a total of 3 observations. At each observation body weight
and body condition score were recorded. The hind feet of the
heifers were washed with water before being inspected for DD
using a mirror with LED lights. DD lesions were scored based
on physical appearance using the M-stage classification sys-
tem. Active lesions (M-stages 1, 2 and 4.1) were treated with
topical oxytetracycline spray. Fertility data were collected after
the end of the study period. Any animals that became preg-
nant during the study were not inspected after confirmation of
pregnancy. Univariable and multivariable analyses were con-
ducted on the data.
Results: 530 heifers were enrolled into this study of which
502 heifers had 3 inspections for digital dermatitis during the
study period. Pregnancy diagnosis data was available for 406
heifers at the time the data was initially analysed. DD period
prevalence was 45%.
Univariable regression with conception rate at 1 service
st
as the outcome showed that the variable season during which
1st insemination took place was statistically significantly as-
sociated with conception at 1st service (p-value <0.001) and
there was a tendency for inseminator to be associated with
it too (p-value = 0.08). Two multivariable logistic regression
models were run using conception at 1st rate as an outcome
variable and, accounting for these confounding variables. Nei-
ther having DD at the 1st inspection nor having DD ever during
the study was statistically significantly associated with concep-
tion rate at 1st service.
Cox proportional hazard analysis with time to conception
as the outcome variable showed that season at 1st insemina-
tion and season of birth were statistically significantly associ-
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Lameness
ated with conception at 1st insemination (p-values < 0.00 and
0.005 respectively). Prevalence of DD at first inspection was
not statistically significantly associated with age at conception
(p-value 0.30). However, this was a preliminary analysis and a
total of 116 heifers were right censored due to no conception
data at the time.
Cox proportional hazard analysis showed that DD at 1st in-
spection was not statistically significantly associated with time
to first insemination (p-value = 0.39). Season of birth and daily
liveweight gain between birth and 1st observation were sta-
tistically significantly associated with this outcome (p-values
= 0.004 and <0.001 respectively). As expected, growth rate
was strongly correlated to age at 1st insemination (for every 1
kg increase in daily liveweight gain the risk ratio for reaching
the first insemination was 9.1 with a 95% confidence interval
between 3.66 and 22.88).
Conclusion: This study has shown that DD period preva-
lence in maiden heifers can be high. A previous study showed
that DD events in pregnant heifers increased the risk of future
DD events and affected fertility in 1st lactation2. Preliminary
analysis of our data (data collection is still ongoing) showed
that DD was not associated with growth rate or fertility in the
studied cohort of maiden heifers.
References:
1. Cheli, R., And C. Mortellaro. La Dermatite Digitale Del
Bovino. 8th International Conference On Diseases Of
Cattle, 1974. 208-213.
2. Gomez, A., Cook, N. B., Socha, M. T. & Döpfer, D.
2015b. First-Lactation Performance In Cows Affected
By Digital Dermatitis During The Rearing Period. Jour-
nal Of Dairy Science, 98, 4487-4498.
Keywords: Digital dermatitis, Heifers, Fertility.
LA-25
Modified Thomas splint-cast use in cattle limb fractures:
characteristics and predictors of long-term survival of 185
cases (2013-2021)
Linde Gille, Bayrou Calixte, Casalta Hélène, Djebala Salem, Eppe
Justine, Sartelet Arnaud.
University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
Objectives: Traumatic limb fractures are an important
cause of premature animal loss. Generally, the most cost-ef-
ficient and humane way to handle injured cattle is emergency
slaughter on site. However, in the EU, this is only an option if
the animal has an acute injury making transport impossible
for welfare reasons, is in a further healthy condition, and has
not received any medication with a withdrawal period (Eurlex
2004). Furthermore, given the cost involved, it is generally
only carried out on animals with a certain weight to avoid in-
curring more costs than can be gained by slaughtering.
For calves and animals under withdrawal period, salvage
options are limited and often expensive. Walking-casts are
limited to lower limb fractures and have a weight limit in gen-
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ORAL — Lameness

eral. Repair trough surgical reduction with internal or external

fixation is costly and specialized, also due to the need for gen-
eral anesthesia. External coaptation methods like the Thomas
splint, initially developed for humans, stay relevant to date in a
modified form for cattle due to their low cost and relative ease
of use on-farm. Studies differ in opinion on their success rate,
and relatively few data are available on long-term success to
slaughter which makes treatment decisions hard. As such, in
order to evaluate survival rate and treatment success, the aim
of this study was to describe the long-term outcome and re-
lated characteristics of cattle with limb fractures treated with a
modified Thomas splint-cast (MTSC), by use of their medical
records and national cattle database (SANITEL) data.
Materials and methods: To perform this study, the hospi-
tal file of 211 cases of cattle having received a MTSC between
September 2013 and December 2021 were retrieved from the
clinic database system (SAP). After removal of duplicates (9),
MTSC use for other reasons then fracture (5) and animals not
retrievable in the national database (12), 185 cases were with-
held. Data retrieved included gender, breed, birth date, site
of fracture, time since fracture and cause of fracture. From
the national herd database (SANITEL), date and type of death
was retrieved to perform follow-up until 10 weeks after place-
ment of the MTSC for all animals and a follow-up until death or
slaughter for animals deceased.
Results: In 80 % of cases, cattle that received a MTSC
were presented for a tibial fracture. Of all animals treated with
a MTSC, 42.16 % survived to be slaughtered, 41.08 % died
naturally or were euthanized, and 12.43 % was still alive at
the time of data retrieval (4.32% was lost to follow-up). Of the
animals that did not survive until slaughter, 84.21 % died within
10 weeks after placement of the MTSC, with significantly high-
er odds of non-survival >10 weeks if their weight was above
275 kg (OR 2.59 p<0.05). There was no gender difference on
survival. Cause of fracture was recorded in 49 % of cases: the
main risks were manipulation (15.7%) and the placement on
pasture (13%). Twenty-five percent of fractures where a time
since fracture was known were presented two or more days
after fracture, with outliers to 15 days after initial fracture.
Conclusions: MTSC have their use in practice as a sal-
vage procedure to raise young animals that suffered from
a limb fracture until an acceptable slaughter weight can be
reached. The prognosis drops with increasing weight, and
placement of MTSC should as such be reserved for young an-
imals below 275 kgs. Animals were presented for cast place-
ment only after two or more days in 25 % of all cases. Even
though prognosis was not different in this study, this could be
a severe welfare issue for the affected animals.
Keywords: Cattle, Limb fractures, Trauma, Modified
Thomas Splint-Cast.

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NU-01
Influence of ketosis prevalence during first lactation
and subsequently on the cow's performance through its
following lactations
Juan Cainzos1, Cristina Andreu-Vázquez2, Ramiro Fouz3, Maria
Luisa Barreal4.
1
Elanco Animal Health, Greenfield, United States; 2Universidad Europea
de Madrid. Faculty of Biomedial and Health Science. Department of
Medicine., Madrid, Spain; 3Africor Lugo, Lugo, Spain; 4Laboratorio
interprofesional galego de análise do leite (LIGAL), A Coruña, Spain.
Objectives: Ketosis, defined as hyperketonemia (high
levels of beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) in blood, milk or urine)
during first weeks postpartum, is a common and costly dis-
ease. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact
of first milk test ketosis prevalence on first lactation perfor-
mance as well as on the subsequent lactations’ ketosis preva-
lence and lactation performance.
Materials and methods: Cow information, test-day pro-
duction data, and milk BHB concentrations were obtained from
the Africor Lugo database (Lugo –Spain), including 22018 an-
imals with first calving occurring during 2015. Information from
these animals was obtained until May 2019, including farm
name and cow ID (coded), date of birth, date of culling, and
for each lactation: calving data, lactation number, total milk, fat
and protein yield (kg), 305d corrected milk (305d-milk), fat and
protein yield (kg), lactation length (days) and days in milk (DIM)
and BHB (µmol/L) content at first test. Energy-corrected milk
(ECM, kg/d, Santichi et al., 2016 (JDairySci. 99:9263–9270)),
for both total ECM (T-ECM) and 305 days ECM (305d-ECM).
Milk samples were analyzed by Fourier-transform infrared
(MilkoScan FT6000, Foss Electric, Hillerød, Denmark) and
ketosis was determined when milk BHB values were ≥ 0.10
mmol/mL (Viña et al., 2017, JAnimPhysiol An N, 101:835–
845).Only cows with DIM at first test <26 days were consid-
ered, excluding 9445 animals (Santichi et al., 2016, JDairySci.
99:9263–9270). All statistical analysis were performed using
JMP 13.1.0 (SAS).
Results: Retrospective analysis of data from 12573 heif-
ers from 1326 farms and first time calving during 2015 indi-
cated that 80.53% (n=9.220), 56.88% (n= 5.244), 10.51%
(n=551) and 0.73% (n=4) of animals reached second (2ndL),
third (3rdL), fourth (4thL) and fifth (%thL) lactation respec-
tively during the observational period. Ketosis prevalence
was 22.99% (n=2632), 19.91% (n=1836), 23.55% (n=1235),
22.87% (n=126) and 0% (n=0) for animals reaching first, sec-
ond, third, fourth and fifth lactation respectively. Animals devel-
oping ketosis had longer lactation period (353.1 vs 346.9 days,
p=0.013), yielded less total milk (9836 vs 10114 kg, p<0.001),
total protein (318 vs 333 kg, p<0.001), 305d-milk (7909 vs
8286 kg, p<0.001), T-ECM (10481 vs 10759 kg, p=0.003) and
305d-ECM (8315 vs 8703 kg, p<0.001) and tended to lower
total fat yield (384 vs 390 kg, p=0.080) during 1stL.
Compared to non-ketotic cows, positive cows on 1stL had
higher odds ratio of developing ketosis during 2nL, 3rdL and
4thL (OR= 1.94, 95%CI: 1.73-2.17; 2.19, 95%CI:1.90-2.; and
2.39, 95%CI:1.54-3.71, respectively). During 2ndL, positive
cows at 1stL yielded less milk (11138 vs 11506 kg, p<0.001),
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases
protein (363 vs 379 kg, p<0.001), fat (354 vs 372 kg, p<0.001),
305-d milk (9195 vs 9579 kg, p<0.001), T-ECM (11891 vs
12374 kg, p<0.001) and 305d-ECM (9712 vs 10193 kg,
p<0.001) regardless those cows developed ketosis during 2nL
or not. Ketosis prevalence during 2ndL was higher for those
cows developing ketosis during 1stL (28.79 vs 17.26%, for ke-
totic and healthy cows during 1stL respectively, p<0.001). Mul-
tinomial regression model, including 1stL 305d-ECM and keto-
sis prevalence at 1stL and 2ndL (r2=0.17, p<0.001), indicated
that 2ndL 305d-ECM was impaired in a bigger extent when
ketosis occurred in 1stL than in 2ndL (9776b; 10121a,b; 10254a;
10122a kg for ketotic animals in 1stL, 1stL and 2ndL, 2ndL and
healthy animals, respectively, p<0.001). Contingency analysis
indicated that ketosis prevalence during 3rdL was higher for
those animals developing ketosis during 1st and 2nd calving
compared with animals developing ketosis during first or sec-
ond and healthy animals in previous lactations (47.4, 31.6,
31.3 and 17.9% respectively, p<0.001). In the same way, 1stL
ketotic cows yielded less total milk (10639.6 vs 11178.7 kg;
p<0.001), protein (344.3 vs 366.5 kg; p<0.001), fat (412.8 vs
440.6 kg; p<0.001), 305-d total milk yield (9436.5 vs 10076.7
kg; p<0.001), T-ECM (11303.2 vs 12000.4 kg; p<0.001) and
305d-ECM (9962.6 vs 10759.6 kg; p<0.001) during 3rdL than
non-ketotic 1stL cows.
Conclusions: Many DHI organizations offer clients an
infrared test to detect milk BHB as a herd surveillance test
and it has been recommended to monitor ketosis on a herd
level when evaluating nutritional management or preventative
medicine strategies in herds (Renauld et al., 2018. JDairySci.
102:1–5). Current results indicate a strong impact of a positive
result in the first test of the 1stL on cow’s performance, not
only on the current but also future lactations.
Keywords: Ketosis, Transition, Management.
NU-02
Evaluating plasma methionine in response to feeding three
rumen-protected methionine products
Merrick Smith1, Shane Cronin1, Javier Mateos2, Diego Martinez Del
Olmo2, Fernando Valdez3, Tanya Gressley1.
1
University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, United States; 2Kemin
Animal Nutrition and Health, Herentals, Belgium; 3Kemin Industries,
Inc., Des Moines, Iowa, United States.
Objectives: Rumen protected (RP) amino acid products
offer the opportunity for precision feeding of limiting amino
acids to ruminant animals. The efficacy of such products is
dependent on survival in the rumen and availability in the in-
testines, necessitating estimates of bioavailability. Plasma me-
thionine (Met) is linearly related to intestinal Met absorption,
and, thus, can be used as a tool to assess RP-Met bioavail-
ability. However, rates of ruminal passage and absorption may
differ among products, so time of blood sampling relative to
feeding may be an important consideration.
The primary objective of this work was to compare the
plasma methionine levels of cows fed with three different
307
ORAL — Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases
RP-Met supplements under similar feeding and experimental
conditions. This study examined the comparability of a new
RP-Met product to two existing and well-studied products. The
comparison was not made against a control diet but again
each other as internal controls. The second objective was to
determine whether time of blood sampling relative to feeding
impacted relative differences among products.
Materials and methods: Ten multiparous Holstein cows,
280 ± 73 days in milk, were used in a replicated 3x3 Latin square
design (three complete squares, one incomplete square), with
7-day experimental periods. Treatments consisted of a control
diet plus 12 g/d of either RP-Met K (KESSENT® M, Kemin
Animal Nutrition and Health, Herentals, Belgium), RP-Met S
(Smartamine® M, Adisseo Inc., Antony, France), or RP-Met M
(Mepron®, Evonik Nutrition & Care GmbH, Hanau-Wolfgang,
Germany). Amount of Met contained in each of the three prod-
ucts was similar. Cows were fed ad-libitum with 33% of their
daily feed allotment and RP-Met treatment provided every 8
h. Milking occurred at twice daily with milk samples collected
on days 5-7 of each period. During d 5-7 of each experimental
period, blood samples were collected from jugular catheters
at 2, 4, 6, and 8 h after the morning feeding. At the end of
the experiment, samples were sent to Missouri Agriculture Ex-
periment Station Chemical Laboratories, USA, for amino acid
analysis by cation-exchange chromatography.
Prior to statistical analyses, plasma methionine was con-
verted to percentage of total amino acids minus methionine as
calculated below:
methionine, % of total amino acids minus methionine =
methionine (μg/mL) / (sum of all amino acids [μg/mL] – methi-
onine [μg/mL]) * 100%
Treatment effects on plasma free methionine were evalu-
ated using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS (SAS Institute Inc.,
2011). The model included fixed effects of treatment, period,
square, hour of sampling (2, 4, 6, or 8), day of sampling (5, 6,
or 7), and all interactions among treatment, hour of sampling,
and day of sampling. Plasma free methionine prior to the start
of the experiment was included as a covariate, and cow was
included as a random effect. Significance was declared at P
< 0.05.
Results: There was no significant effect of treatment on
dry matter intake or production parameters. Plasma Met as
a % of total amino acids minus Met was 1.5085, 1.5267, and
1.3622% for RP-Met K, RP-Met S, and RP-Met M, respec-
tively. RP-Met K and RP-Met S were not found to be different
(P=0.3420), however RP-Met K and RP-Met M were different
(P<0.0001), with RP-Met K yielding greater plasma Met Levels.
There was a significant effect of time of sampling on plasma
Met as a percentage of amino acids minus Met (P=0.002), due
to higher Met at 2 h (1.508%) than 4, 6, and 8 h (1.439, 1.447,
and 1.469% respectively). However, the relative differences
among treatments remained consistent at all time points.
Conclusions: The relative bioavailability of a new RP-Met
product was assessed by comparing plasma Met response
to that of existing products. Similarities in plasma Met levels
between RP-Met K and RP-Met S treatments would suggest
comparative bioavailabilities and bioavailability greater than
that of RP-Met M. Differences among products were consis-
tent at all blood sampling times, suggesting that time of sam-
pling relative to feeding is relatively unimportant.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
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Keywords: Rumen protected methionine, plasma methi-
onine response.
NU-03
Bioavailability of rumen-protected choline chloride sources
based on in situ rumen degradability and in vitro intestinal
digestibility criteria
Cristian Faturi1, Maria Ercilda Rodriguez-Prado2, Fatima Francia2,
Deepak Dubey3, Sanjeewa Ranathunga3, Sergio Calsamiglia2.
Universidad Federal Rural de la Amazonia, Brazil, Brazil; 2Animal
1
Nutrition and Welfare Service, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona,
Bellaterra, Spain; 3Kemin Animal Nutrition and Health, Herentals,
Belgium.
Introduction: Choline is a vitamin-like substance that inter-
acts very closely with methionine and vitamin B12 metabolism
as a methyl donor. It plays an important role in animal produc-
tion, reproduction, and health (Jayaprakash et al., 2016, Morri-
son et al., 2018). Choline is rapidly degraded in the rumen, so
effective supplementation requires the use of rumen-protect-
ed forms that are digestible in the small intestine (Grummer,
2008). There are several commercial protected products in the
market, but the amount of choline delivered to the small intes-
tine for absorption (bioavailability) may vary largely between
products (Sales et al., 2010, Humer et al., 2019). Therefore,
it is important to determine their rumen solubility, potentially
degradable fraction, rate of degradation, effective degradation
in the rumen and intestinal digestibility. However, this infor-
mation is often not available. The objective of this project was
to evaluate rumen degradability and intestinal digestibility of
three different rumen protected choline products.
Mateiral and methods: The study was conducted at the
Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, following approved stan-
dard protocols. Rumen-protected choline products were Cho-
liGEM (Kemin Animal Nutrition and Health), product R and
product N containing 5.75, 3.23 and 2.71% N (% DM), respec-
tively. Rumen microbial degradation was determined using the
in situ nylon bag technique. Samples (2.020.018 g) of each ru-
men-protected choline product were weighed into nylon bags
and incubated in the rumen of a Holstein dry-cow for 0, 2, 4,
8, 16, 24 and 48 h, in duplicate bags and in two consecutive
periods. Ruminal degradability was calculated with the expo-
nential function: Y=a+b*(1-exp^(-ct)); where a was the amount
of N disappearing from the bag at 0 h; b was the potentially
degradable fraction; and c was the degradation rate. The ef-
fective degradability of N (EDN) was calculated as: EDN,%=
a+[(b*c)/(c+k)]; where k (estimated at 10%/h; Dufreneix et
al., 2019) was the rate of outflow from the rumen, and a, b,
and c were the same parameters described earlier. For the
determination of the intestinal digestion, the in vitro three-step
procedure (Gargallo et al., 2006) was used. The undegraded
residue after 12 h incubation in the rumen was incubated in
vitro in a HCl-pepsin buffer at pH 2.0, 38oC and 1h, followed
by a phosphate-pancreatin buffer incubation at pH 7.0, 38oC
and 24h.

Results: Fraction a was 27.6, 0.4 and 24.7%; fraction b
was 57.1, 5.8 and 73.6%, and fraction c was 0.032, 0.002 and
0.081 /h for CholiGEM, product R and product N, respective-
ly. Effective ruminal microbial N degradation was very low in
product R (0.5%), moderate in CholiGEM (41.4%) and relative-
ly high in product N (57.6%). However, intestinal digestion was
low in product R (12.2%) compared with CholiGEM (98.4%)
and product N (80.9%) resulting in the highest bioavailability
for CholiGEM (57.6%), intermediate for product N (34.3%) and
lowest for product R (12.1%).
Considering rumen degradation kinetics is not sufficient to
define the bioavailability of protected choline chloride sourc-
es. Results indicate that intestinal digestibility is a critical step
in the evaluation of bioavailability of rumen protected choline
sources. There are considerable differences in rumen degrad-
ability and intestinal digestibility among rumen protected cho-
line products in the market.
Conclusions: Evaluation of the quality of products re-
quires determination of rumen degradability and intestinal di-
gestibility. Results indicate that bioavailability was very differ-
ent among commercial sources tested.
Keywords: Rumen protected choline, ruminal degradabil-
ity, intestinal digestibility.
NU-04
Correlation between feed efficiency and mobilization of
fat in dairy Holstein cows during the fresh cow period and
early lactation
György Szura , Stephanie Schäfers , Dirk Von Soosten , Ulrich
1 1 2
Meyer2, Jeannette Klüß2, Gerhard Breves1, Lena Ruda1, Sven
Dänicke2, Jürgen Rehage1.
University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover,
1
Germany; 2Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Braunschweig, Germany.
Objectives: Feed efficiency (FE), a parameter to estimate
the effectiveness of dairy production, gained importance for
economic and ecological reasons in recent years. However,
after parturition lipomobilization, a consequence of negative
energy balance, may compromise estimates of FE. Thus, we
aimed to examine the connection between FE and fat mobi-
lization during the fresh cow (FCP) and early lactation peri-
od (ELP) in Holstein dairy cows with initially lower and higher
condition.
Materials and methods: The study was performed at the
Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute (FLI), Braunschweig, Germany.
Thirty-one pluriparous German Holstein cows were used to
determine the estimated depot mass (eDM) of subcutaneous
(SCAT) and total abdominal (AAT) adipose depots by ultraso-
nography on day (d)-42, 7, 28 and 70 relative to parturition.
Cows were allocated into two experimental groups accord-
ing to the eDM of SCAT on d-42 relative to parturition (low
body condition (LBC) group: n=16, mean eDM 8.61 kg; high
BC (HBC) group: n=15, mean eDM 15.6 kg). Average daily
change (aDC) of adipose mass was calculated for the FCP (d7
to d28) and ELP (d28 to d70). Additionally, dry matter intake
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases
(DMI) and lactation performance were recorded, and FE was
calculated for FCP and ELP by dividing the energy-corrected
milk yield (ECM) with DMI.
Results: The AAT depot had about 2 to 3 times higher
mass than SCAT. The HBC cows had greater fat depot mass-
es and mobilized more from both depots during FCP and ELP.
The two groups did not differ in DMI, but the HBC group had
greater ECM than LBC cows. As consequence, the HBC cows
showed better FE compared to LBC cows. Correlation analy-
sis revealed that during FCP, the more SCAT was mobilized
the better the feed efficiency was (r2: 0.18). However, in case
of AAT no correlation was found (r2: 0.01). On the other hand,
mobilization of fat from both depots correlated positively with
FE (r2: 0.35 and 0.33, resp.) during the ELP.
Conclusions: During ELP and partly FCP, excessive li-
pomobilization increased estimated feed efficiency. Results
indicate that the parameter feed efficiency may not be suitable
for evaluation of performance efficiency in dairy cows during
early lactation because it may lead to selection of cows for
lipomobilization and possibly subclinical ketosis.
Keywords: Dairy cattle, feed efficiency, fat mobilization,
fresh cow period, early lactation.
NU-05
Rumen degradability and intestinal digestibility of different
rumen protected lysine products determined in situ and in
vitro
Fatima Francia1, Maria Ercilda Rodriguez-Prado1, Cristian Faturi2,
Diego Martínez3, Javier Mateos3, Sergio Calsamiglia4.
1
Animal Nutrition and Welfare Service, Universitat Autonoma
de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain; 2Universidad Federal Rural de la
Amazonia, Brasil, Brazil; 3Kemin Animal Nutrition and Health,
Madrid, Spain; 4Universidad Federal Rural de la Amazonia, Bellaterra,
Spain.
Introduction: The supply of metabolizable protein to dairy
cows is important for optimizing milk and milk protein yields.
However, excess MP in dairy cow diet results in a reduced
efficiency of N utilization and an increase in the emission of N
to the environment (St-Pierre and Thraen, 1999). This problem
may be minimized by supplying dairy cows with the correct
amount and proportions of essential amino acids. There is
consensus that most current diets are deficient in Lysine and
Methionine (Schwab and Broderick, 2017). There are several
rumen-protected Lysine and Methionine products in the mar-
ket, but their rumen degradability and intestinal digestibility
may vary considerably (Whitehouse et al., 2017). The objec-
tive of the current study was to determine the bioavailability
of the rumen-protected Lys products in dairy cows using the
in situ ruminal degradation and the in vitro intestinal digestion
methods.
Material and methods: The thee rumen-protected Lys
products were LysiGEM and LysiPEARL (Kemin Animal Nutri-
tion and Health), and AjiPro L3G (Ajinomoto). Rumen microbial
degradation was determined using the in situ nylon bag tech-
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ORAL — Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases
nique. Samples (0.38±0.01 g) of each rumen-protected Lysine
products were weighed into nylon bags. Duplicated bags were
incubated in the rumen of a Holstein dry-cow for 0, 2, 4, 8, 16,
24 and 48 h. The process was repeated in two consecutive
periods. Degradability of Lysine in the rumen was calculated
as N disappearance from the rumen using an exponential
function: Y=a+b*(1-〖exp〗^(-ct); where a was the amount of N
disappearing from the bag at 0 h; b was the potentially de-
gradable fraction; and c was the degradation rate (Mathers
and Miller, 1981). The effective degradability of N (EDN) was
calculated as: EDN (%)= a+[(b*c)/(c+k)]; where k (estimated
at 10%/h; Dufreneix et al., 2019) was the rumen passage rate,
and a, b, and c were the same as described earlier. The un-
degradaded sample residue after 12 h ruminal incubation was
used to determine the intestinal digestibility using the in vitro
three-step procedure (Gargallo et al., 2006): samples were
incubated in a pepsin-HCL solution (Sigma 77160) at 39ºC
and pH 1.9 for 1 h, followed by a second incubation in a buf-
fer-pancreatin (Sigma P1750) solution at pH 7.75 at 39ºC for
24 h. The in vitro intestinal digestion was calculated as the
amount of the sample N (rumen-exposed residue) minus the
N remaining after pepsin-pancreatin incubation divided by the
amount of sample N.
Results: The soluble fraction (%) was lower in AjiPro L3G
(2.6) compared with LysiGEM (20.4) and LysiPEARL (24.6).
The potentially degradable fraction (%) was larger in LysiP-
EARL (70.7) compared with LysiGEM (48.6) and AjiPro L3G
(49.1). Rate of ruminal degradation (/h) was highest in LysiP-
EARL (0.05), intermediate in AjiPro L3G (0.013) and lowest
in LysiGEM (0.006). The resulting effective degradation in the
rumen (%) was highest in LysiPEARL (48.2), intermediate in
LysiGEM (23.2) and lowest in AjiPro L3G (8.2). In contrast, in-
testinal digestibility was lowest in AjiPro L3G (49.6) compared
with LysiGEM (87.3) and LysiPEARL, suggesting that AjiPro
L3G was overprotected. Overall bioavailability (%) was high-
est for LysiGEM (67.1), intermediate for LysiPEARL (50.3) and
lowest for AjiPro L3G (45.5). There were differences in ruminal
degradation and intestinal digestion among different commer-
cial products. Bioavailability is the result of the combination of
the degree of rumen resistance to degradation and the intes-
tinal digestibility of the undegraded fraction. The quality of ru-
men protected lysine products requires the determination not
only of the degree of protection from ruminal degradation, but
also the intestinal digestibility of the undegradable proportion
of Lysine.
Conclusion: Results indicate that differences in bioavail-
ability from the different Lysine sources may be important and
needs to be considered in diet formulation.
References:
Gargallo S., et al., 2006. J. Anim. Sci. 84:2163-2167.
Dufreneix F., et al., 2019. J. Dairy Sci. 102 :3010–3022.
Mathers J.C., Miller E.L. 1981. Br. J. Nutr. 45 ;587-604
Schwab C.G., Broderick G.A., 2017. J. Dairy Sci.100:10094-
10112.
St-Pierre N.R., Thraen S.T. 1999. J Anim Sci. 77(suppl.
2):72-83.
Whitehouse et al., 2017. J. Dairy Sci. 100:9585-9601.
Keywords: Rumen protected lysine, rumen degradability,
intestinal digestibility, bioavailability.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
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NU-06
Production performance of lactating dairy cows fed two
rumen protected methionine supplements
Fatima Francia1, Maria Ercilda Rodriguez-Prado1, Sergio
Calsamiglia1, Marc Piera2.
Animal Nutrition and Welfare Service, Universitat Autonoma de
1
Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain; 2Centre Veterinari Tona, Tona, Spain.
Intorduction: The new formulation systems have refined
requirements and supplies of digestible protein and amino ac-
ids through the description of different feed protein fractions
and digestive processes, and the incorporation of dynamic
adaptation (NRC, 2001; INRA, 2018, CNCPS, Van Ambourgh
et al., 2015). Despite all these improvements, the efficiency
reported at 23.7% 50 years ago (Stone et al., 1960) remains
virtually unchanged at 24.0% (Hristov and Huhtanen, 2008).
This low efficiency represents a production cost and the emis-
sion of excessive N to the environment. Recent evidence in-
dicates that at least part of this inefficiency is associated with
the unbalanced supply of essential amino acids (Doepel and
Lapierre, 2010). The supply of intestinally available essen-
tial amino acids is currently achieved through the use of ru-
men-protected forms of these amino acids. However, there are
large differences in bioavailability of different protected me-
thionine sources (Whitehouse et al., 2017) which may affect
performance. The objective of this research is to determine the
effect of feeding two different sources of Met on milk produc-
tion and composition of lactating Holstein dairy cows.
Material and Methods: Ninety-four multiparous lactating
Holstein dairy cows from 50 to 110 days in milk were divided
in 3 groups to determine the effect of feeding different rumen
protected Methionine sources on milk production and compo-
sition. Cows were fed a 46:54 forage to concentrate based on
corn silage once daily formulated to meet current NRC (2001)
recommendations (17.5% CP, 28.4% NDF, 33.2% starch and
4.6% fat and balanced for Lysine). Treatments were the con-
trol diet (CTR), and the same diet supplemented with 11.4 g
of metabolizable methionine from either KES (KESSENT® M,
Kemin Animal Nutrition and Health) or SMT (Smartamine® M,
Adisseo Inc.). Experimental animals were blocked by previous
milk production, assigned to three different lots and supplied
with one of the three treatments. Cows were milked three
times daily. After 30 days on treatment, milk production and
composition were determined in weeks 6 and 10 postpartum
(milk samples taken 3 consecutive days). Data were analyzed
using the PROC GLM procedure of SAS as a completely ran-
domized model.
Results: Milk yield (kg/d) was higher (P<0.002) in KES
(46.7) than CTR or SMT (43.9 and 44.5, respectively). The
3.5% fat corrected milk (kg/d) was numerically higher in KES
and SMT (51.3 and 50.6, respectively) compared with CTR
(48.8), but did not reach significance (P<0.11). Milk fat content
(%) tended to be higher (P<0.06) in SMT (4.38) than in CTR
or KES (4.16 and 4.14, respectively). Milk protein content (%)
was higher (P<0.04) in KES and SMT (3.09 and 3.11, respec-
tively) compared with CTR (3.04). Similar effects (P<0.02)
were observed for casein (%) (2.40, 2.43 and 2.45 for CTR,
KES and SMT, respectively). Milk fat yield (kg/d) was similar
among treatments (1.90), but protein yield (kg/d) was higher

(P<0.01) in KES (1.43) compared with CTR and SMT (1.33
and 1.38, respectively). Casein yield (kg/d) was also higher
(P<0.01) in KES (1.13) compared with CTR and SMT (1.05
and 1.09, respectively).
Conclusions: Both rumen protected Methionine supple-
ments improved dairy cow performance compared with con-
trol, but also significant differences between commercial sup-
plements were observed.
Keywords: Rumen protected methionine, dairy cow per-
formance.
NU-07
Ketosis monitoring in Spain using testday samples
Marcello Guadagnini1, Gregorio Alcantara2, Rita Casals3, Fernando
Ruiz4, Ramiro Fouz5, Juan Cainzos6.
1
Elanco Animal Health, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy; 2Federación Frisona
Castilla y León (FEFRICALE), Leon, Spain; 3Federación Frisona
de Cataluña (FEFRIC), Vic, Spain; 4Asociación Frisona Cantabria
(AFCA), Torrelavega, Spain; 5Asociación de Control lechero de Lugo,
Lugo, Spain; 6Elanco Animal Health, Alcobendas, Spain.
Objectives: Ketosis (KET) is one of the most impactful
diseases in dairy farming and it represents a good indicator of
a poor adaptation to high energy demand during the transition
period (Duffield T., 2009). β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) and KET
can be monitored in milk (Carrier J., et al., 2004) using testday
milk samples (de Roos A. et al., 2007). The main goal of this
project was to map KET prevalence across Spain and identify
risk factors and consequences.
Materials and Methods: Data from 4 DHI associations
across Spain have been joined into one dataset: Cantabria
(CANT), Castilla y Leon (CYL), Cataluña (CAT) and Galicia
(GAL). The dataset includes 337,759 first tests occurring
during 2018 and 2019. Since BHB monitoring best performs in
cows ≤25 days in milk (DIM) (Renaud D. L. et al., 2019), sam-
ples outside the interval of 5-25 DIM were excluded, so that
the final dataset contains 200,593 first tests belonging to 2242
farms. A BHB 0.1 mmol/liter cut-point has been choosen for
KET (Viña C. et al., 2017). Variables used to investigate KET
risk factors were: fresh season, parity, milk production and so-
matic cell count (SCC) at first test. First calving age in catego-
ries (<24mo; 24-27mo;>27mo), calf outcome (Male, Female,
Twins) were also available except for GAL. Mean number of
cows controlled per farm and test was divided into quantiles
as a proxy of farm size. Calving season effects were evaluated
via 2 classes: Atlantic climate regions (GAL and CANT) and
the rest of Spain (CYL and CAT). Descriptive statistics were
used to describe current KET prevalence across Spain. Mul-
tivariate models were built to evaluate specific risk factors for
KET and to assess its relationships with milk production and
udder health. Statistically significant results were identified us-
ing a p<0.05.
Results: 32% of cows were lact=1, 27% lact=2 and 40%
lact≥3. 31% of lact=1 calved with <24mo, 41% between 24-
27mo and 27% >27mo. Twinning rate was 3%. Overall KET
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ORAL — Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases
prevalence was 21%: 15% for lact=1, 19% for lact=2 and
27% for lact≥3. Possibly, due to on demand KET monitor-
ing, prevalence for CANT was significantly lower than other
regions with 15.25% vs. 21.23% for GAL, 21.58% for CAT
and 22.09% in CYL. Running the analysis by farm, 37.1%
(n=763) of all farms with at least 20 tests each (n=2055) had
a Ketosis prevalence >25%; this percentage varied by region
with CANT 17.1%, CYL 40.3%, CAT 38.0% and GAL 39.7%.
Mean number of cows controlled per farm and test had a sig-
nificant impact on KET prevalence: in the Atlantic area the
1st quartile (<5 cows) had a KET prevalence of 27.09%, 2nd
quartile (5-7 cows) 20.47%, 3rd quartile (7-11 cows) 17.88%
and 4th quartile (>11 cows) 16.62%. In the rest of Spain KET
prevalence was: for 1st quartile (<12 cows) 25.7%, 2nd quar-
tile (12-24 cows) 22.13%, 3rd quartile (24-51 cows) 19.66%
and 4th quartile (>51 cows) 19.96%. In the Atlantic area, Win-
ter and Spring had the highest KET prevalence, conversely
in the rest of Spain Summer and Fall had the highest KET
prevalence. Statistically significant differences for KET risk
were found across parities (3+ vs. 2, Relative Risk (RR)=1.54
95%CI=1.50-1.58; 3+ vs. 1, RR=2.03 95%CI=1.97-2.08; 2 vs
1, RR=1.31 95%CI=1.27-1.35) and across age at first calv-
ing for lact=1 (>27mo vs. <24mo, RR=2.15 95%CI=1.98-2.33;
>27mo vs. 24-27mo, RR=1.48 95%CI=1.28-1.59; 24-27mo vs.
<24mo, RR=1.44 95%CI=1.34-1.56). Cows with a singleton
male had slightly more risk of having KET than cows calving
singleton female (M vs F RR=1.05 95%CI=1.01-1.10). Ketotic
cows were more prone to have, at the same time, subclini-
cal mastitis (>200 000 cell/ml, Ruegg P. 2017) (KET Yes vs
No RR=1.69 95%CI=1.63-1.75). Finally, accounting for parity,
farmcode, DIM 1st test, month and year fresh, Ketotic cows
yielded 1.29 kg less milk at first test compared to cows without
KET (p<0.0001). As it was not possible to account for previous
lactation milk production, this milk loss might represents an
underestimate of the true milk loss attributable to KET.
Conclusions: KET prevalence and proportion of high risk
herds is higher than perceived by much of the dairy indus-
try. Elevated BHB was associated with lower milk production
at first test and higher prevalence of subclinical mastitis. The
idenfied risk factors can help design better prevention strate-
gies.
Keywords: Ketosis, testday, Spain, dairy.
NU-08
Associations of serum calcium and subclinical
hypocalcemia at calving with productive, reproductive and
health outcomes in multiparous Jersey cows
Ainhoa Valldecabres Inchaustegui, Noelia Silva-Del-Río.
University of California, Davis, Davis, United States.
The most appropriate blood calcium (Ca) threshold to de-
fine subclinical hypocalcemia is still under study. Currently,
there is a wide range of suggested definitions, and variability
on its reported associations with productive, reproductive and
health outcomes, which have not been described in Jersey
311
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cows. Our aim was to evaluate the associations of serum Ca
concentration and subclinical hypocalcemia at calving with:
subsequent lactation milk and energy-corrected milk yield,
fat%, protein%, somatic cells count linear score, mastitis, herd
removal, and pregnancy at 1st service and by 150 days in milk
(DIM), in 609 multiparous Jersey cows from 2 commercial
herds fed acidifying prepartum diet.
Blood samples for total serum Ca concentration determi-
nation were collected from the coccygeal vessels at 3 h 10
min (±2 h 17 min) after calving. Monthly test milk yield, fat%,
protein% and somatic cells count information up to the 10th
test was obtained from the Dairy Herd Improvement Associ-
ation. Additional information was obtained from herd records.
Statistical analyses were conducted with multiple linear, Pois-
son, log-binomial, and Cox’s proportional hazards regression
using SAS (version 9.4). Considered explanatory variables for
all outcomes were: parity, herd, previous lactation length and
305-days mature equivalent milk yield, dry period length, calv-
ing body condition and locomotion scores, calving easiness,
and oral Ca supplementation. Additional variables considered
were: somatic cells count linear score at test for milk yield,
fat%, and protein%; milk yield at test for fat%, protein% and
somatic cells count linear score; and DIM at 1st service and
breeding code (timed artificial insemination and heat breeding)
for pregnancy at 1st service. Serum Ca thresholds among 1.80
and 2.20 mmol/L (7.2 and 8.8 mg/dL) at 0.02 mmol/L (0.08
mg/dL) intervals were used to define subclinical hypocalcemia
when serum Ca concentration (in a continuous scale) was as-
sociated with the outcome. Serum Ca thresholds that better
predicted the outcome (continuous outcomes: smallest P-val-
ue and most extreme estimate; categorical outcomes: max-
imized sensitivity and specificity on receiver operating char-
acteristic curve analyses) were chosen to define subclinical
hypocalcemia.
Subclinical hypocalcemia (Ca ≤2.18 mmol/L; 8.7 mg/dL)
was associated with 1.52 and 1.88 kg/d more of milk and en-
ergy-corrected milk yield, respectively (P < 0.001). Milk fat%
was 0.12 units of percentage higher and milk protein% was
0.06 units of percentage lower per day for cows with subclin-
ical hypocalcemia (Ca ≤1.96 and ≤1.80 mmol/L, respectively;
7.9 and 7.2 mg/dL, respectively), compared to normocalcemic
cows during the subsequent lactation (P = 0.01 and P = 0.03,
respectively). Subclinical hypocalcemia was associated with
lower 1st service pregnancy risk [Ca ≤2.08 mmol/L (8.3 mg/
dL); risk ratio = 0.70; P = 0.03] and hazard of pregnancy by
150 DIM [Ca ≤1.90 mmol/L (7.6 mg/dL); hazard ratio = 0.50;
P < 0.001]. No association was observed among serum Ca
concentration, mastitis and herd removal. Similar effects were
observed for additional thresholds evaluated.
Establishing a single serum Ca threshold for subclinical
hypocalcemia definition based on productive, reproductive
and health outcomes doesn’t seem feasible. Further studies
are needed to elucidate the applicability of a subclinical hypo-
calcemia definition.
Keywords: Dairy cow, hypocalcemia, transition cow.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
312
NU-09
A prospective cohort study on periparturient muscle tissue
mobilisation in high producing dairy cows
Cara Hatfield1, Robert Smith1, Jean Routley1, Rachel Hall1, William
Tulley2, Bethany Griffiths1, Andreas Foskolos3, Georgios Oikonomou1.
1
Livestock Health and Welfare, Institute of Veterinary Science, UoL,
Leahurst Campus, Neston, Wirral, CH64 7TE, United Kingdom;
2
Epidemiology and Population Health, Institute of Infection and Global
Health, UoL, University of Liverpool, United Kingdom; 3Deparment of
Animal Science, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Thessaly, Greece.
Objectives: Dairy cattle at the onset of lactation experi-
ence a period of Negative Energy Balance (NEB). Adipose tis-
sue is mobilised to meet energy demands for milk production.
There is evidence that some cows will also begin to mobilise
muscle during the dry period prior to fat mobilisation1. 3-meth-
ylhistidine (3-MH) is a very specific indicator of muscle metab-
olism in cattle which is not further metabolised nor produced
through any other metabolic pathways2. The main objective
of this study was to investigate the changes in the thickness
of the longissimus dorsi muscle in high producing dairy cows
in the periparturient period and the possibility to use a com-
mercial ELISA kit for 3-MH measurements as a correlate of
changes in muscle thickness.
Materials and Methods: We enrolled 455 cows from three
farms with data collected for 500 lactations (312 from Farm 1,
75 from Farm 2, and 113 from Farm 3). Data were collected
from each animal on three occasions per lactation: 3-4 weeks
before the expected date of parturition (Pre-calving (PC)),
0-10 day’s post-partum (Fresh (FR)) and approximately 60-80
days post-partum (Early Lactation (EL)). At each time point
blood samples were collected from the coccygeal vein, Body
Condition Score (BCS), Muscle Thickness (MT), and Back Fat
Thickness (BFT) were also recorded. Muscle and fat thickness
were measured using an Easi-Scan ultrasound machine. Lon-
gissimus dorsi depth was measured perpendicular to the skin
at the fourth lumbar process. Genomically estimated breeding
values (GEBVs) were also available for these animals. A com-
mercially available ELISA kit (Abbexa Ltd, 96 test kit) was also
evaluated for measurement of 3-MH concentration in bovine
serum. Descriptive and univariable analyses were undertak-
en between variables, before multivariable regression models
were constructed. Cox Proportional Hazards Analysis was
used for analysis of time to first service and time to conception.
Results: Explanatory variables using MT as an outcome
found assessor had a significant effect on MT (P < 0.0001).
Muscle thickness decreased in the period between the PC
and FR measurement. Cows in the lowest Milk PTA tercile
had higher MT measurements comparing to the other two
terciles but there was no significant Milk PTA tercile by time
interaction. Interesting Farm*Time-point interactions were also
observed. Higher MT PC was associated with increased MT
loss (Estimate -0.39 ± 0.04, P < 0.0001). Higher BFT PC was
associated with decreased MT loss (Estimate 0.23 ± 0.06, P
< 0.0001). A longer period between the PC and FR measure-
ment was also associated with increased MT loss (Estimate
-0.1 ± 0.03, P = 0.0006). Cows in the MT Pre-EL 3rd tercile
(cows that had minimal loss of MT or gained MT during the
studied period) were served earlier than cows in the 1st tercile

(cows with the greater loss of MT) (Hazard ratio: 1.39, CI =
1.004-1.94, P = 0.046). Additionally, cows in the top fertility in-
dex tercile (better genetics for fertility) were served earlier than
cows in the lowest fertility index tercile (Hazard ratio: 1.58, CI
= 1.17-2.13, P = 0.003).
The 3-MH ELISA produced a good standard curve using
assay buffer but the co-efficient of variation was large in du-
plicate serum samples potentially suggesting an interfering
substance within the serum. The polyclonal antibody in the kit
was found to be raised against 3-MH conjugated to bovine-se-
rum-albumin (BSA) and the BSA in the serum may have been
competing with the 3-MH. Despite trying two different meth-
ods of extraction (acetone and 5% sulfosalicyclic acid) previ-
ously published for separation of 3-MH from plasma or serum
proteins, none gave reliable results, therefore the kits were
deemed unsuitable for use.
Conclusions: Although US measurements are an acces-
sible way to measure MT, a more specific method which would
avoid assessor effect, such a looking at 3-MH, would have
provided further insight into the amount of MT loss occurring.
Until a more cost-effective way can be found to monitor mus-
cle catabolism it will be hard to reliably use the current meth-
ods of monitoring it on a commercial setting. This is an area of
study that requires further investigation.
References:
1. Van der Drift, S. et al. (2012). Journal of Dairy Science,
95(9), pp.4911-4920.
2. Houweling, M. et al. (2012). Journal of Dairy Science,
95(6), pp.3125-3130.
Keywords: Dairy Cow, Muscle Mobilsation, Periparturien.
NU-10
Magnesium butyrate is a readily available magnesium
source in dairy cow nutrition
Bastiaan De Groot1, Joan Edwards2, Thomas Schonewille1.
Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands; 2Palital Feed Additives,
1
Velddriel, Netherlands.
Objectives: Magnesium (Mg) is an essential nutrient for
cows. This means that dairy rations need to supply a suffi-
cient amount of absorbable Mg in order to safeguard the cow’s
health, for example decreasing the risk of milk fever and grass
tetany. Currently, Mg-oxide is widely used to supplement dairy
cows with Mg. In dry cow nutrition, however, Mg-butyrate can
be considered of interest as an alternative source of supple-
mental Mg. This is because the use of Mg-butyrate, instead of
Mg-oxide, is potentially advantageous. Butyrate, but not oxide,
may stimulate the growth of rumen papillae which is instru-
mental to prevent rumen acidosis. However, the bioavailability
of Mg from Mg-butyrate is not known. Therefore, an experi-
ment was conducted with dairy cows to measure the apparent
absorption of Mg from Mg-butyrate.
Materials & Methods: Six mid-lactation Holstein Friesian
dairy cows were used in an experiment which had two dietary
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases
treatments arranged in a cross-over design. The experiment
consisted of 2 experimental periods of 14 days each, preced-
ed by a 14-day pre-experimental period to allow the cows to
become adapted to the experimental rations. Two different
diets were fed during the experiment, with the basal rations
being identical and consisting of a low Mg diet without Mg-bu-
tyrate (L-Mg, 3.1g Mg/kg dry matter) and a high Mg diet with
Mg-butyrate (H-Mg, 3.9 g Mg/kg dry matter). The magnesium
content of the diets was modified via a pelleted experimen-
tal beet pulp. For the H-Mg group, the experimental beet pulp
contained Mg-butyrate (Rumen-Ready®, Palital Feed Addi-
tives, Velddriel, The Netherlands) whereas the experimental
beet pulp for the L-Mg diet did not. The Mg-butyrate from Ru-
men-Ready® is completely released and solubilized within the
rumen, i.e., it is 100% available for absorption. Both types of
experimental beet pulp contained TiO2, which was used as an
inert marker for determination of fecal output. Feed refusals
and milk yield were recorded daily during each experimental
period, and any feed refusals stored at -18 °C. During the last
4 days of each experimental period, all spontaneously voided
feces and urine were collected between 9:00 and 17:00. At
the end of each collection day, the individual feces collections
were stored at -18 °C whereas the individual urine collections
were stored at 5 °C. All individual feces, urine and feed refusal
collections were pooled per cow and mixed thoroughly prior to
chemical analysis. The Mg content of pooled samples of the
feces, urine, feed and feed refusals was measured by means
of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and the ti-
tanium concentration of the experimental beet pulp and feces
was determined using a spectrophotometer.
Results: Cows offered the L-Mg diet ingested 54.7 g Mg/
day while the cows fed the H-Mg diets ingested 66.3 g Mg/day
(P < 0.001). The fecal excretion of Mg, however, was similar
between the two experimental diets (P = 0.174). Consequent-
ly, apparent Mg absorption was found to be 7.9 percentage
units greater (P = 0.038) when the cows were fed the diet sup-
plemented with Mg-butyrate. The greater Mg absorption after
feeding the H-Mg diet was, however, not reflected by a greater
urinary Mg concentration (P = 0.228). These results indicate
that the availability of Mg from the Mg-butyrate supplemented
diet was high (34.1% of intake). The absolute fractional Mg ab-
sorption from Mg butyrate (i.e. 8.3 g/d) was at least 1.5 times
greater than that of similarly derived values for the fractional
Mg absorption from a highly soluble MgO (using previously
published data). Thus, it appears that Mg butyrate, relative to
MgO, is superior in supplying Mg available for absorption. The
fractional Mg absorption from Mg-butyrate was calculated to
be 71.6%.
Conclusion: Mg-butyrate is an attractive alternative to
supplement dairy rations with Mg.
Keywords: Rumen, ruminant, apparent absorption.
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NU-11
Utilising infra-red thermography to evaluate rumen
development in dairy youngstock
Nick Britten, Rebecca Hopper, Gareth Pearce.
University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
Objectives: Timing of weaning is a critical issue for the
efficient management of dairy youngstock. Successful tran-
sition to a solid diet as soon as possible provides economic
advantages due to the high cost of milk or milk replacer prod-
ucts when compared with solid foods. However, successful
transition to a solid diet requires sufficient ruminal function to
be present before weaning off milk. Accurate determination of
ruminal development in calves is therefore an important mea-
sure in calf management. Calves with increased solid feed
consumption, and therefore more rumen development before
weaning show greater weight gain postweaning (1). Current-
ly available rumen function evaluation methods involve direct
sampling of rumen fluid or tissue which is both costly and inva-
sive. Infra-red thermography of the left flank has been used to
quantify rumen activity in adult cattle with flank temperatures
rising 21% after feeding due to increased heat production
through fermentation (2). This study evaluated the use of flank
temperature to measure rumen function over time in calves
between 6 and 105 days of age.
Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in 30
Holstein heifer calves born over a 3-month period at Cam-
bridge University Farm, UK. Calves were housed in individual
pens immediately after birth and bottle fed 3l of milk replacer
twice daily for one week. Calves were then moved to group
housing at an average age of 10±4 days and fed 8l milk replac-
er per day by free access to a machine feeder (Vario Smart
Feeder, Volac) for 40 days before beginning a reduction of
0.5l/day until complete weaning at 56 days of age. Hay and
concentrate pellets (18% crude protein) were provided ad libi-
tum. After weaning calves were housed in groups of 8 and fed
2.5 kg concentrate pellets per head per day and ad libitum hay.
Calves were weighed every 7 days from entry to group
housing (T0) for 42 days until weaning (T6) and 42 days post
weaning until average age 101±4 days (T12). During weighing
the mean maximum surface temperature of the left flank was
measured in each calf using an infra-red camera (T335, FLIR
Systems, UK).
All data were analysed using RStudio 2022.02.0. Uni-
variate regression was used to quantify the relationship be-
tween flank temperature and bodyweight at each time point
pre-weaning (T0-T6) and growth rate post-weaning (T6-T12).
Variables with a p-value ≤0.1 in the univariate analysis were
included in a multivariate model of post-weaning growth rate
simplified by stepwise selection based on Akaike Information
Criterion (AIC). Recorded cases of pneumonia and diarrhoea
were included in the multivariate model to examine the influ-
ence of these diseases on growth rate.
Results: Univariate regression demonstrated significant
positive correlations between growth rate post-weaning and
flank temperature at T0 (r2=0.146, p<0.05), T1 (r2=0.336,
p<0.01) T2 (r2=0.208, p<0.05) and a tendency for a positive
correlation at T3 (r2=0.08, p<0.1) and these variables were
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
314
therefore included in the multivariate model. Stepwise selec-
tion based on AIC retained flank temperature at T0, T2 and
T3 and occurrence of pneumonia in the final model which ac-
counted for 47.6% of the variance in post-weaning growth rate
(adjusted r2= 0.476, p<0.01).
Conclusions: Measurement of flank surface temperature
in calves shortly after introduction of solid feed was a signif-
icant predictor of growth rate after weaning - with measure-
ment at one week after the introduction of solid feed (T1) being
the largest contributor variable and therefore the best single
time for this prediction.
It is suggested therefore that infra-red thermography of the
left flank in dairy calves represents a viable method of identi-
fying differences in rumen function between calves of similar
age. As the differences in rumen function soon after introduc-
tion of solid food identified using infra-red thermography had
significant impacts on growth rate post-weaning, this method
offers considerable promise as a non-invasive method to iden-
tify individual differences in young calves that will have signifi-
cant commercial implications.
References:
1. Sweeney et al. Journal of Dairy Science. 2010 Jan
1;93(1):148–52.
2. Salles et al. Animal Production Science. 2017 Jun
15;58(11):2032–41.
Keywords: Dairy, Calves, Weaning, Rumen, Thermogra-
phy.
NU-13
Iron deficiency anemia in whole milk fed calves
Jennifer Allan, Peter Plate, Steven Van Winden.
Royal Veterinary College, London, United Kingdom.
Objectives: This is one of the first studies to assess the
prevalence of iron deficiency anemia in whole milk fed dairy
calves on farms in the United Kingdom and the effect of a sin-
gle parenteral iron supplementation on haemoglobin (Hb) lev-
els and daily liveweight gain (DLWG).
Materials and methods: 268 whole milk fed dairy calves
from seven farms in the south of England were recruited in the
study. Six of the farms were organic, one was non-organic. All
calves were blood sampled for total protein and Hb levels and
weighed from one to ten days after birth. They were then ran-
domly assigned to either receive or not receive 1 gram of iron
as iron dextrane (UniferonTM, Virbac Animal Health) by intra-
muscular injection immediately after thist first blood sampling
and weighing. Calves were again weighed and blood sampled
for Hb at around six weeks of age and weighed only at around
12 weeks of age. Hb levels and DLWG were compared be-
tween treated and untreated animals.
Results: There were no reported adverse effects to the
iron injection in any of the treated calves.
Parenteral iron dextran had a significant effect on DLWG
from one to six weeks with an average 52g per day increase

in the treated calves compared to the control group. Iron had
a significant effect on Hb concentrations at six weeks and the
difference between Hb at week one and week six, with calves
in the treated group having a higher average Hb concentration
than calves in the control group (112.2 vs 97.0g/l). Over that
period Hb levels in the treated group increased by 4.5 g/l while
levels in the control group decreased by 10.1 g/l. Calves with
higher DLWG and calves in the control group were significant-
ly more likely to have Hb levels below 90 g/l at six weeks: 35
% of calves in the control group (42 out of 120) and 3.4 % of
the treated group (4 out of 118) showed Hb values below this
level.
There was farm variation in both Hb levels and DLWG
differences between groups. The size of the effect on DLWG
could not be predicted for any particular farm from either Hb
measurement at week one or six.
However, there was a consistent effect of iron across all
farms, suggesting a generalized finding.
Conclusion: The current industry recommendations are
to feed higher volumes of milk for longer to achieve high-
er growth rates. On a significant proportion of organic and
non-organic farms in the United Kingdom whole milk is fed to
to dairy replacement calves, and iron supplementation should
be considered in these calves.
Keywords: Calves, anemia, iron, whole milk.
NU-14
Epidemiology of hyperketonemia in first parity Holstein
cows. Is subclinical ketosis a problem of fresh cows, only?
Georgios E. Valergakis1, Alexandros Kougioumtzis1, Aikaterini
Soufleri1, Nektarios Siachos1, Georgios Banos2, Georgios Arsenos1,
Georgios Oikonomou3.
1
Laboratory of Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,
School of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124
Thessaloniki, Greece, Thessaloniki, Greece; 2Laboratory of Animal
Husbandry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, School of Health Sciences,
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece/
Scotland's Rural College/Roslin Institute, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK,
Thessaloniki, Greece; 3Department of Livestock Health and Welfare,
Institute of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, UK, Liverpool,
United Kingdom.
Objectives: Subclinical ketosis (SCK) is a common dis-
order of dairy cows, associated with several clinical diseases
during the post-partum period. Although negative energy bal-
ance lasts on average up to 8-10 weeks, commonly recom-
mended herd monitoring programs are mostly limited to the
first 3 weeks of lactation. The objective of this study was to
explore stage-of-lactation related epidemiologic parameters of
SCK.
Materials and Methods: This retrospective observational
study was based on two data sets established for two published
genetic studies. Data were collected on a large commercial
free-stall dairy farm located in northern Greece. The first da-
ta-set (A) included β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) measurements
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from 362 primiparous Holstein cows that calved between
January 2005 and July 2006 and the second (B) BHBA mea-
surements from 287 primiparous Holstein cows that calved
between January 2008 and April 2010. Management condi-
tions were greatly improved during the second period (mainly
regarding feeding and housing conditions during the transition
period). On both time periods, all cows were blood-sampled
weekly, during the first 13 weeks of their lactation. Blood was
drawn from the coccygeal vein and samples were left to clot
at room temperature for approximately 30 min and then cen-
trifuged at 2,000 ×g. The serum concentration of BHBA was
assayed with the use of an enzymatic kinetic method based
on the oxidation of BHBA to acetoacetate by β-hydroxybutyr-
ate dehydrogenase; a total of 8,437 samples were analyzed.
Subclinical ketosis was defined as a BHBA concentration ≥
1.2 mmol/L. Prevalence of SCK was calculated for each of the
13 weeks by dividing the weekly number of cows with SCK by
the total number of cows tested. Incidence of SCK was calcu-
lated as the number of cows with at least one positive BHBA
test result, either for the first 3 weeks of lactation (3W) or over
the entire 13-week sampling period (OV). Median first positive
BHBA test and number of repeated positive test results per
cow were also calculated for 3W and OV.
Results: Prevalence of SCK in data-set (A) was 12.2%,
9.7%, 8.0%, 8.6%, 6.9%, 4.8%, 5.7%, 3.3%, 3.0%, 5.2%,
5.0%, 2.5% and 3.0% for the 13 weeks, respectively. Preva-
lence of SCK in data-set (B) was lower, at 2.1%, 3.5%, 2.8%,
4.9%, 3.5%, 2.1%, 1.4%, 3.1%, 1.7%, 0.3%, 0.3%, 0.3% and
0.0% for the 13 weeks, respectively. Incidence of SCK in da-
ta-set (A) was 23.2% (84/362 cows) for 3W, while it was 46.7%
(170/362 cows) for OV. Incidence of SCK in data-set (B) was
9.1% (26/287 cows) for 3W and 19.2% (55/287 cows) for OV.
Median first positive BHBA test was at week1 and week2 for
3W and data-sets A and B, respectively; it was at week4 for
OV for both data-sets. When overall incidence of SCK was
high (data-base A) % of cows with ≥2 positive tests were also
high, both in 3W and OV (42.9% and 39.4%, respectively).
When overall incidence of SCK was lower (data-base B), cows
with ≥2 positive tests was only 3.8% in 3W but a considerable
27.3% in OV.
Conclusion: Subclinical ketosis is present well beyond
the first 21 days of lactation; actually, overall incidence dou-
bles when the monitoring period extents to 13 weeks post-par-
tum. Therefore, more than half of positive cows would be mis-
classified as non-ketotic if monitoring was limited to the first 3
weeks of lactation. Testing cows for SCK during the post-fresh
transition period may be useful in finding associations with
clinical diseases prominent during the first month of lactation,
like metritis and displaced abomasum. However, the effects of
SCK on reproduction and milk yield would be better evaluated
if monitoring continues beyond the post-partum transition pe-
riod, especially when considering the remarkable presence of
repeated positive tests.
Keywords: Dairy cow, subclinical ketosis.
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NU-15
Risk factors associated with excessive negative energy
balance in commercial United Kingdom dairy herds
Alastair Macrae, Elizabeth Burrough, Julie Forrest, Alexander
Corbishley, Geraldine Russell, Darren Shaw.
University of Edinburgh, Roslin, Midlothian, United Kingdom.
Objectives: Numerous studies have shown that exces-
sive negative energy balance (eNEB) in dairy cows, charac-
terized by elevations in blood biochemical parameters such
as β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA)
and reductions in glucose concentrations in either late preg-
nancy and/or early lactation, is associated with an increased
risk of transition cow diseases (such as ketosis, metritis and
displaced abomasum), an increased risk of culling in early lac-
tation, decreased milk production and poorer herd fertility. The
objectives of this study were to use the results from a commer-
cial laboratory service specializing in dairy cow biochemical
analyses to 1) assess the individual cow risk factors for eNEB
in UK dairy herds 2) assess the dietary risk factors for eNEB
and 3) assess the relative importance of these different risk
factors.
Materials and methods: Between April 2006 and March
2015, blood samples were analysed for BHB, NEFA and glu-
cose from a commercial nutritional monitoring service provided
by the Dairy Herd Health and Productivity Service (DHHPS) at
the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies at The Univer-
sity of Edinburgh, UK. For each cow that was blood sampled,
additional details were collected of the calving date (milking
cows), predicted calving date (dry cows), lactation number,
body condition score (BCS) and daily milk yield. Information
was standardized for each herd using identical data collection
forms. In addition, data was collected of the ration being fed to
the cows (in kg fresh weight fed each day).
Results: Following removal of all potential duplicate cows,
a final dataset of 69,161 unique individual cows was obtained
including biochemical results, individual cow information and
feed data. Use of generalized linear mixed-effect models and
multivariable classification tree-based models showed that
individual cow risk factors for eNEB included: days relative
to predicted calving date (dry cows); Days In Milk (lactating
cows); Body Condition Score (BCS: lactating cows ≥ BCS 4;
OR 2.1); milk yield (around 40 litres per day); parity (first lacta-
tion heifers OR 0.46 compared to older cows during lactation);
chronic inflammatory conditions as assessed by globulin lev-
els ≥ 50 g/l (OR 0.79 for elevated NEFA values). There was a
higher prevalence of eNEB during April to October (OR 1.19),
with the lowest prevalence in November. Feeding grass silage
and wholecrop (silage made from cereal crops) to dry cows
was associated with a reduced prevalence of eNEB, whereas
access to grazed grass was associated with a higher eNEB
prevalence in both the dry period (OR 1.32) and lactation (OR
1.33).
Conclusions: This study has shown that prevalence of
eNEB (as indicated by three separate biochemical measures
of energy balance: elevated BHB and/or NEFA values as well
as low plasma glucose) in dairy cows is associated with cow
level risk factors such as BCS, parity and milk yield. This study
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
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has also highlighted a number of dietary risk factors associat-
ed with the occurrence of eNEB in dairy cows including feed-
ing of conserved forages such as maize silage and wholec-
rop to dry cows, and access to grazed grass for both milking
and dry cows. Understanding the risk factors associated with
eNEB in commercial dairy herds assists in both the implemen-
tation of herd monitoring programs and reduction of eNEB in
dairy herds, with consequential benefits that could potentially
include reductions in transition cow diseases, increased per-
formance and improvements in herd fertility.
Keywords: Dairy cow, BHB, NEFA, glucose, ketosis.
NU-16
Effect of postpartum milking strategy on plasma calcium
concentration and risk of subclinical hypocalcemia in
multiparous dairy cows
Ainhoa Valldecabres1, Rubia Lopes1, Alfonso Lago2, Cedric Blanc3,
Noelia Silva-Del-Río4.
1
University of California - Davis, Davis, United States; 2DairyExperts
Inc., Tulare, United States; 3Lely International, Nevada, United States;
4
University of California - Davis, Tulare, United States.
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of
different postpartum milking strategies on plasma calcium (Ca)
concentration and risk of subclinical hypocalcemia in multipa-
rous dairy cows. Additionally, effects of the evaluated milking
strategies on colostrum quality and yield, and milk yield and
somatic cell count (SCC) at 1st monthly test were assessed. A
total of 83 Jersey and Jersey × Holstein crossbreed cows of
2nd to 8th parity, were enrolled in the study before 1st postpartum
milking. The study was conducted in a commercial dairy where
cows were fed a negative dietary cation-anion difference ra-
tion prepartum. Milking strategies implemented during the first
2 days postpartum were: once-a-day milking (M1; cows were
milked every 24 h; n = 24), twice-a-day milking (M2; cows
were milked every 12 h; n = 21), delayed milking (MD; cows
were not milked for the first 24 h, and were milked every 12
h afterwards; n = 19), and restricted milking (MR; cows were
milked 3 L every 12 h; n = 19). Blood samples for total plasma
Ca analysis were collected from the coccygeal vessels into
heparinized vacuum tubes starting before 1st postpartum milk-
ing, every 4 h up to 48 h and at 72 h postpartum. Colostrum
and transition milk yield was recorded using clear buckets pri-
or to manual homogenization and sample collection for IgG
determination at each study milking. Plasma Ca concentration
was determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma–Optical Emis-
sion Spectrometry (ICP-OES). Colostrum and transition milk
IgG concentration was determined by radio immunodiffusion.
First monthly test milk yield and SCC information was obtained
from the Dairy Herd Improvement Association. Multiple linear
regression with Dunnett adjustment was used to evaluate
plasma Ca concentration changes, 1st monthly test milk yield
and SCC. Poisson regression was used to evaluate the risk of
subclinical hypocalcemia (Ca ≤2.12 mmol/L; Ca ≤8.50 mg/dL).
Prevalence of subclinical hypocalcemia at enrollment was

48%. Overall, plasma Ca concentration was lower and tended
to be lower for M2 cows (2.04 mmol/L; 8.18 mg/dL) compared
to MD (2.16 mmol/L; 8.66 mg/dL) and MR cows (2.13 mmol/L;
8.54 mg/dL), respectively. Plasma Ca concentration was not
statistically lower for M1 cows (2.11 mmol/L; 8.46 mg/dL). Risk
of subclinical hypocalcemia during the study period was lower
for MD compared to M1 [Risk ratio (95% confidence interval) =
0.63 (0.46 to 0.86)] and M2 cows [Risk ratio (95% confidence
interval) = 0.54 (0.39 to 0.76)]. Good quality colostrum (>50 g
of IgG/L) was harvested at 1st postpartum milking from ≥80%
of the M1, M2 and MR cows, and from 17% of the MD cows. At
2nd postpartum milking, good quality colostrum was harvested
form 68% of MR cows. Milk yield and SCC at 1st monthly test
were not affected by the milking strategy.
Our results suggest that postpartum plasma Ca concentra-
tion and risk of subclinical hypocalcemia may be influenced by
the postpartum milking strategy, without negatively affecting
subsequent milk yield and SCC. Additionally, the implementa-
tion of once-a-day (M1) or restricted (MR) postpartum milking
strategies allows to harvest enough good quality colostrum to
feed the calves. Postpartum milking warrants further study as
a prophylactic strategy for hypocalcemia. Project funded by
USDA-NIFA (1013457 CFAH).
Keywords: Dairy cow, hypocalcemia, transition cow.
NU-17
The effect of monensin controlled release boluses on
subclinical ketosis, consequent health and production in
dairy cows
Rok Marzel1, Rok Klančnik2, Klemen Jug3, Tadej Virk4, Primož
Klinc5, Jože Starič5.
1
VOA Ihan, Kočevje, Slovenia; 2Veterinary faculty student, Ljubjana,
Slovenia; 3Veterinary faculty student, Ljubljana, Slovenia; 4Agriculture
and Forestry Institut, Celje, Slovenia; 5Veterinary faculty, Ljubljana,
Slovenia.
Objectives: Subclinical ketosis is one of the most import-
ant hidden conditions in high yielding dairy cows. It is directly
corelated with different management approaches for cows in
dry period, transition period and also in later lactation. Subclin-
ical ketosis is usually associated with negative energy balance
that occurs in transition period and in first trimester of the lac-
tation. It affects the outcome of transition together with occur-
rence of diseases typical for this period and is known to have
an impact on the most productive stage of lactation. The aim
of the study was to determine prevalence of subclinical ketosis
(SCK) on a dairy farm and success of preventive intervention
using ruminal monensin controlled release boluses. We mon-
itored health status, production, reproduction and culling rate
of 110 dairy cows included in this study, to determine the effect
of monensin controlled release boluses.
Materials and methods: The study was conducted be-
tween years 2017 and 2019 on a dairy farm with about 300
Holstein cows. Total mix ration (TMR) was fed to all the cows
according to NRC 2001 recommendations for dry and lactating
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
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cows. Average milk yield on the farm was 9926 ± 227 kg/stan-
dard lactation with 3,75 ± 0,03 % fat and 3,27 ± 0,03 % pro-
tein according to national milk recording control. Only healthy
multiparous cows, with the prediction of at least one more lac-
tation, were included in this study. Eighty-five cows were ran-
domly assigned in the control group and 25 cows in test group.
Cows in the test group received monensin controlled release
boluses (Kexxtone®) three weeks prior to calving, because
prevalence of SCK in the heard at the time of the study was
unknown. Non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) were measured in
all cows three weeks prior to calving. First postpartum check-
up was carried out 7-14 days and the second one 28-35 days
after calving. Blood samples were taken from all the cows to
measure β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB). Reproduction parameters,
milk yield and number of culled animals were taken out of the
national milk recording database.
Results: SCK threshold for BHB was set at 1,2 mmol/L
and for NEFA at 400 µmol/L. NEFA was in normal ranges for
all cows 3 weeks before parturition. The first check-up postpar-
tum revealed that 6 % of cows in control group had SCK and
none in the test group. At the second check-up 20 % of cows in
control group and 8 % in test group had SCK. Two cows in the
control group had SCK at both check-ups for BHB. During this
study 29 cows were culled, 31 % of those were from control
group and 12 % from the test group. Major reason for culled
cows was failure to conceive (reproduction problems). There
were 14 % of cows from control group and 4 % of cows from
test group culled due to reproduction problems. From control
group 3,5 % of cows were culled because of metabolic dis-
ease and none from the test group. Average days open in test
group was 139 ± 72 and 156 ± 72 in control group. Average
lactation energy corrected milk (ECM) was 32,0 ± 3,8 kg/day/
cow in test group and 31,9 ± 3,9 kg/day/cow in control group.
Conclusions: SCK is present in the herd in ranges es-
tablished also by other authors. The use of ruminal monensin
controlled release boluses can decrease the number of cows
with SCK and therefor attribute to better reproductive and
metabolic health, which was reflected in the number of cows
culled for reproductive failure and metabolic disease in the
control group compared to test group. In cows that finished the
lactation milk yields were not different between the groups and
the average days open ware slightly lower in the test group.
Even though ruminal monensin controlled release boluses can
be successful in prevention of SCK, they cannot fully prevent it
and should be used as an addition to good management and
feeding practice.
Keywords: subclinical ketosis, monensin controlled re-
lease capsule, Kexxtone®.
NU-18
Expression of ADAMTS-7 in myocardial dystrophy
associated with white muscle disease in lambs
Nihat Yumusak1, Akin Yiğin2, Pelin Fatos Polat3, Mustafa Hitit4,
Rahsan Yilmaz1.
1
Dept. of Pathology, Fac. Vet. Med., University of Harran, Sanliurfa,
Turkey; 2Dept. of Genetics, Fac. Vet. Med., University of Harran,
317
ORAL — Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases
Sanliurfa, Turkey; 3Dept. of Internal Med. Fac. Vet. Med., University
of Harran, Sanliurfa, Turkey; 4Dept. of Genetics, Fac. Vet. Med.,
University of Kastamonu, Kastamonu, Turkey.
Objectives: White muscle disease (WMD), or nutritional
muscular dystrophy, is an acute fatal disease in young farm
animals. It generally leads to death associated with heart fail-
ure. A-Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase with Thrombospondin
Motifs (ADAMTS) genes play an important role in the patho-
physiology of chronic inflammations. And also, recent studies
have specified the role of ADAMTS-7 gene in cardiovascular
system disorders in humans. The aim of the present study was
to investigate the role of ADAMTS-7 gene in the pathogenesis
of myocardial dystrophy associated with WMD in lambs.
Materials and methods: A total of 341 cardiac tissue
samples from lambs with WMD were used in the study. West-
ern-blot, real-time PCR (rt-PCR) and immunohistochemistry
were performed for ADAMTS-7 gene expression. Histopatho-
logical sections of the samples were stained with hematoxy-
lin-eosin.
Results: RT-PCR revealed that the expression level of
ADAMTS-7 was statistically significantly higher in cardiac tis-
sue with WMD compared to the control group (p<0.05). West-
ern blot analysis confirmed significantly increased ADAMTS-7
protein level in the hearts of WMD (p<0.05). The immunohis-
tochemically a statistically significant in high density of im-
munopositive cells was found from the in myocytes in which
degeneration and necrosis were detected by labeling with
ADAMTS-7 (p<0.05). Histopathologically revealed myofibrils
with irregular borders and significant swelling of cells. Diffuse
hyaline degeneration was noticeable in myocytes.
Conclusions: The expression of ADAMTS-7 was signifi-
cantly upregulated in myocardial dystrophy associated with
WMD. Despite to this limited study, if the potential biolog-
ical mechanisms of ADAMTS-7 in WMD is understood more
clearly.
Keywords: ADAMTS-7, myocardial dystrophy, lamb,
white muscle disease.
NU-19
On field evaluation of preweaning period growth impact on
age at first insemination and survival risk at 500 and 1000
days in dairy heifers
Guillermo Lorenzo1, David Otero2, Elisa Cáceres3, Antonio Jiménez3,
Juan Cainzos4.
1
Gando nuevas tecnologías SL., Ferrol, Spain; 2Nanta, Madrid, Spain;
3
Ceva Salud Animal, S.A., Barcelona, Spain; 4ABS Progenex, Madrid,
Spain.
Previous studies indicated that nutrient intake and growth
during the preweaning period can influence a cow’s perfor-
mance later in life1. Thus, Average daily gain during the pre-
weaning period (ADGprew) has been stablished as a key pa-
rameter to measure the overall health of calves and a threshold
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
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of 0.820 Kg/day has been set up as “excellent”2. The aims of
this study were: a) to evaluate if birth weight and preweaning
length have an impact on ADGprew and b) to evaluate AGD-
prew impact on age at first insemination and survival.
A retrospective study was conducted on a commercial
dairy farm in Carral (A Coruña, Spain). All rearing heifers born
between March 2017 and November 2021 were included in
the study and the following parameters were collected for each
animal from the farm’s software Gando (Gando Nuevas Tec-
nologías S.L.): calving date (CALVDATE), weaning date (WE-
ANDATE), first artificial insemination date (1ªIADATE), first
calving date (FSTCALDATE) and cull date (CULLDATE), as
well as birth weight (BIRTHWGHT, Kg) and weaning weight
(WEANINGWGHT, kg). ADGprew (kg/day) and preweaning
length (PREWlenght, days) were calculated using Gando. Cor-
relation between BIRTHWGHT and PREWlenght with ADG-
prew was calculated using a linear regression. Three groups
were made based on ADGprew distribution: Bottom (GM-
D<0.83Kg/d, n=124, 25.75%), Medium (0.83≤GMD<1.02 kg/d,
n=245, 50.83%) and Top (GMD≥1.02 kg/d, n=113, 23.44%).
Cox Proportional-Hazards Model were performed to evaluate
ADGprew group impact on survival at 500 and 1000 days, as
well as risk of insemination during first 395 days of life.
BIRTHWGHT, WEANINGWGHT and ADGprew averag-
es were 36.94 ± 4.32 Kg (range: 23 – 46), 95.80 ± 13.86 Kg
(range: 56 – 126.5) and 0.912 ± 0.177 kg/d (range: -0.070
– 1.500) respectively. Animals in the Bottom group tended
to have an 80% higher risk of elimination at 500 days, with
no differences between Medium and Top groups (HR=1.81,
95%CI = 1.08-3.02). In same way, culling risk at 1000 days
was higher for animals in the Bottom group compared with
Medium group (HR=1.74, 95%CI=1.11-2.74) with no differenc-
es between Medium and Top groups. Animals in the Bottom
group had a 38% lower risk of being inseminated in the first
395 days (HR=0.62, 95%CI=0.44-0.89) compared to those in
the Medium group. Median time to first insemination was 379,
368 and 369 days for Bottom, Medium and Top groups re-
spectively.
Even in a herd with birth-to-weaning growth rates better
than those usually described in the literature, differences in
survival and age at first insemination were observed as a func-
tion of growth during preweaning period.
References:
1. Soberon F, Van Amburgh ME. 2013. Lactation Biology
Symposium: The effect of nutrient intake from milk or
milk replacer of preweaned dairy calves on lactation
milk yield as adults: a meta-analysis of current data.
Journal of Animal Science 91 (2), 706–712.
2. Average Daily Gain in Preweaned Holstein Heif-
er Calves NAHMS Dairy 2014 Study Calf Compo-
nent. At: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/
nahms/dairy/downloads/dairy17/adg-preweaned-hol-
stein-heifer.pdf. Visited on March, 10th 2022.
Keywords: preweaning, heifer, survival.

NU-20
Differences in the serum metabolome profile of dairy cows
according to the BHB concentration revealed by proton
nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H-NMR)
Anastasia Lisuzzo1, Luca Laghi2, Vanessa Faillace1, Chenglin Zhu3,
Barbara Contiero1, Massimo Morgante1, Elisa Mazzotta4, Matteo
Gianesella1, Enrico Fiore1.
1
University of Padua, Legnaro, Italy; 2University of Bologna, Cesena,
Italy; 3Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, China; 4Istituto
Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro, Italy.
Abstract
Objectives: During the transition period, a higher nutri-
ent demand and a reduction in dry matter intake induce to a
negative energy balance (NEB). The nonesterified fatty acids
(NEFA) are then mobilized by adipose tissue and they may be
oxidized into ketone bodies (β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), aceto-
acetate and acetone). This condition makes dairy cows more
susceptible to metabolic diseases such as ketosis. The BHB
concentration is commonly used for the diagnosis in high-yield-
ing dairy cows, with a cutoff of blood BHB value above 1.0-
1.4 mmol/L for subclinical ketosis or hyperketonemia without
clinical signs. These conditions are not easily identifiable and
are frequently related to other diseases that cause economic
loss. Metabolomics is a new analytical approach that aims to
measure simultaneously the entire metabolite profile of a bio-
logic sample. The aim of this study was to analyze the serum
metabolome using ¹H-NMR in dairy cows with different levels
of BHB.
Materials and methods: Animal care and procedures
were in accordance with the European Directive 2010/63/EU
and the national law D.L. 2014/26. Furthermore, The Ethics
Statement was approved by the Animal Care and Use Com-
mittee of the University of Padua (ID number 91/2019 - “Bo-
vineOmics” Projects). Forty-nine Holstein Friesian dairy cows
between 15 and 30 days in milk were enrolled from a single
high-yielding dairy farm. The same total mixed ratio (TMR) was
used for all enrolled animals. A cross-sectional experimental
design was used. Each animal received a clinical examination
by veterinarians at the University of Padua and animals with
clinical signs of disease were excluded from the study. The
blood samples were collected into tubes containing clot acti-
vator to obtain serum for biochemical and metabolomic anal-
ysis. According to the serum BHB concentration, the animals
were divided into three groups: Group 0 (G0; 12 healthy an-
imals; BHB≤0.50 mmol/L); Group 1 (G1; 19 healthy animals;
0.51≤BHB<1.0 mmol/L); and Group 2 (G2; 18 hyperketone-
mic animals; BHB≥1.0 mmol/L). The statistical differences for
biochemical parameters were performed by one-way ANOVA,
whereas a t-test was used to evaluate differences in metabo-
lite concentration. A post hoc pairwise comparison among me-
tabolite concentrations was performed using Bonferroni cor-
rection. A robust principal component analysis (rPCA), and the
metabolic pathways overrepresentation analysis (ORA) were
generated to summarize the structure of the data and to high-
light the metabolic pathways influenced by BHB concentration.
A p-value<0.05 was accepted, whereas a 0.05≤p-value≤0.10
was considered as trend to significance.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
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Results: Among biochemical parameters, only NEFA
showed a significant difference between groups, with a pro-
gressive increment according to BHB concentration. A total
of fifty-seven metabolites were identified in serum samples:
27 amino acids and derivates, 10 organic acids, 5 alcohols, 4
carbohydrates, 2 amine and derivates, 2 fatty acids, 2 ketone
bodies, 1 sulfone, 1 vitamin, 1 imidazole, 1 nucleoside, and
1 guanidine. The extreme groups (G0-G2) showed a statisti-
cal difference for thirteen metabolites, specifically: glutamate,
proline, serine, aspartate, isovalerate, and choline showed a
significant reduction in G2, whereas 3-hydroxybutyrate, 3-hy-
droxyisobutyrate, acetate, succinate, 2,3-butanediol, meth-
anol, and methylsuccinate showed a significant increase. In
addition, 11 metabolites showed a trend toward significance:
lysine, alanine, arginine, formate, pyruvate, and dimethylsul-
fone were reduced in G2, whereas isoleucine, valine, ethanol,
trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), and acetone were increased.
The rPCA analysis revealed three different structure of me-
tabolome, with G1 values located between G2 and G0. The
ORA analysis identified three metabolic pathways possibly
responsible for changes in metabolome profile: lipid metabo-
lism, synthesis of phosphatidylserine, and glycosaminoglycan
metabolism.
Conclusions: Metabolomic analysis through ¹H-NMR is
a useful tool to achieve knowledge about metabolic profiling
related to serum β-hydroxybutyrate modifications during the
transition period in dairy cows. The metabolic state of our
hyperketonemic cows suggests the mobilization of body re-
sources, increased anaerobic fermentation, alteration of lipid
metabolism, a potential oxidative stress state, and a possible
alteration of inflammatory and healing processes. This study
demonstrates that the metabolomic approach can be consid-
ered a significant means to achieve knowledge about dairy
cow diseases and their pathogenesis.
Keywords: Metabolomics; H-NMR; Ketosis; Dairy cows.
NU-21
The behaviour of dairy cattle in the transition period:
Effects of blood calcium status
Rosie Barraclough1, Darren Shaw1, Vivi Thorup2, Marie Haskell3,
Wilson Lee1, Alastair Macrae1.
Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the Roslin Institute,
1
Edinburgh, United Kingdom; 2IceRobotics Ltd, Edinburgh, United
Kingdom; 3Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), Edinburgh, United
Kingdom.
Objectives: Low blood calcium concentrations at calving
can have a detrimental effect on cow health, welfare, and pro-
ductivity. Currently, there is no reliable method to predict if a
cow will develop clinical hypocalcaemia at calving, nor if cows
have subclinical hypocalcaemia without analysing blood sam-
ples.
This study aimed to use automated behavioural monitoring
under commercial farm conditions to investigate the behaviour
of both primiparous and multiparous cows 1) pre-partum, with
319
ORAL — Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases
the aim of predicting calcium status at calving and 2) post-par-
tum, to quantify the subsequent effects of hypocalcaemia on
cow behaviour.
Materials and methods: Behavioural data and blood se-
rum samples were collected from 51 multiparous and 21 prim-
iparous Holstein dairy cattle. Blood samples from the coccy-
geal vein were taken within 24h of calving, and serum was
analysed to measure total calcium concentration. Cows were
classified into one of three categories: normocalcaemia (se-
rum calcium concentration ≥ mmol/L), subclinical hypocalcae-
mia (serum calcium concentration below 2.0 mmol/L, absence
of clinical signs), and clinical hypocalcaemia (clinical signs and
treatment).
An activity sensor (IceQube, IceRobotics Ltd., United King-
dom) was fitted to the right hind leg of cows 3 wk prior to ex-
pected calving date. Data for lying time, standing time, number
of steps, motion index (total motion), and the total number of
standing and lying bouts (postural transitions) were automat-
ically collected and summarised from the time of calving into
two datasets: behaviour in 2h periods and 24h periods (be-
haviour per day). The bihourly dataset was used for the anal-
yses of cow behaviour on the day of calving, and data was
analysed in 2h periods from -24 h to 0 h (the time of calving).
The dataset containing cow behaviour per day was used to
create 2 experimental periods based on the time relative to
calving: pre-calving (d −14 to −1), and post-calving (d 1 to d
21). Mixed-effect models were used to analyse cow behaviour
in the 14 d before calving (d -14 to d -1), on the day of calving,
and the 21 d post-calving (d 1 to d 21).
Results: Between d -14 to d -1, the step count (no./d) of
primiparous cows with normocalcaemia decreased by 10.3%
and their motion index (unit /d) decreased by 6.1% over the
period. The step count and motion index of primiparous cows
with subclinical hypocalcaemia remained constant. There
were no behavioural differences between primiparous cows
with normocalcaemia or subclinical hypocalcaemia on the
day of calving. In the post-calving period, step count of cows
with normocalcaemia decreased by 6.7% from d 1 to d 21,
whilst the step count of cows with subclinical hypocalcaemia
decreased by 16.4% (P < 0.001). Similarly, the motion index of
cows with normocalcaemia decreased by 7.5% from d 1 to d
21, whilst the step count of cows with subclinical hypocalcae-
mia decreased by 15.5% (P < 0.001).
For multiparous cows, there were no behavioural differenc-
es between blood calcium status (normocalcaemia, subclinical
hypocalcaemia, clinical hypocalcaemia) in the pre-calving pe-
riod and on the day of calving (d 0). In the post-calving period,
cows with clinical hypocalcaemia spent 88 min/d (1.5 h) and
125 min/d (2.1 h) more time lying down compared to multipa-
rous cows with subclinical hypocalcaemia and normocalcae-
mia (P < 0.001). Cows with normocalcaemia had fewer daily
postural transitions (18.4 ± 0.5 no. /d; P = 0.01) compared to
cows with subclinical hypocalcaemia (21.1  ± 0.3 no. /d) and
clinical hypocalcaemia (22.0 ± 0.5 no. /d). Cows with clinical
hypocalcaemia had 10% fewer steps and 6% lower motion in-
dex compared to cows with normocalcaemia, and 6.7% fewer
steps and 4% lower motion index compared to cows with sub-
clinical hypocalcaemia (P < 0.001).
Conclusions: There was a decrease in activity across
the pre-calving period for primiparous cows, and activity could
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
320
potentially be used to predict subclinical hypercalcaemia in
primiparous cows. No behavioural differences between blood
calcium status categories were found within the pre-calving
period for multiparous cows, suggesting that it would be diffi-
cult to predict blood calcium status at calving using lying and
activity behaviours. Blood calcium status at calving affected
lying time duration, the number of postural transitions, step
count, and motion index in the post-calving period for multipa-
rous cows illustrating the profound and long-lasting effects of
clinical hypocalcaemia.
Keywords: Hypocalcaemia, transition period, dairy cow,
calving.
NU-22
Preliminary results of a metabolic survey  for  plasma
ionized Calcium and Magnesium in dairy herds from  the
south of Chile
Pedro Melendez1, Francisca Lopez2, Jorge Lama3, Bernardita Leon3,
Pablo Pinedo4.
University of Georgia, Tifton, United States; 2Austral University of
1
Chile, Valdivia, Chile; 3Cooprinsem, Osorno, Chile; 4Colorado State
University, Fort Collins, United States.
Ionized calcium is the biologically active form of calcium;
therefore, total calcium might not be the best indicator for hy-
pocalcemia  in dairy cows  because of the changes in blood
pH and protein concentrations.  Consequently, the objective
of this study was to determine the  concentration of plasma
ionized calcium  and  magnesium  in  cows at parturition from
representative dairy herds from the south of Chile. The study
was conducted in the southern region of Chile covering an
area of 20,544 km2 (214 km length, 96 km wide; -39.82 S,
-73.23 W; -40.12 S, - 72.38 W; -41.39 S, -73.46 W; -41.43
S, -72.94 W). Mean temperature during autumn is 7°C while
during spring is 10°C, while mean rainfall during autumn is
850 mm, but in spring is only150 mm. The study consisted of
selecting at random 11 dairy herds from a pool of 100 herds
and sampling 8 cows per herd during the first 12 hours after
parturition. All herds were handled under grazing conditions
and had a calving distribution of 30% in autumn/winter, and
70% in spring/summer.  Herds consisted of Holstein cows
(Australian, New Zealand, Europe, and US genetics), artificial
insemination breeding, and milked twice a day. Predominant
pasture was based on perennial ryegrass (Lolium  perenne).
Spring calvings received 70% of dry matter from pasture and
the rest from a partial mixed ration  previous to  each  milk-
ing and  concentrate in the milking parlor. Between August
and  December 2019,  a blood sample for plasma collection
was taken from a total of 88 cows from the 11 herds. Sam-
ples were stored in a cooler and shipped during the same
day to a certified veterinary clinical pathology lab (Cooprin-
sem,  Osorno, Chile). Samples were centrifuged and plasma
was stored in plastic vials and frozen at -20 °C until analysis.
Samples were assessed for ionized Ca and Mg using the Stat
Profile® PRIME Plus VET  (Nova Biomedical Corporation,
Waltham, MA 02454-9141 USA). From the total samples,

26.7% were from parity 1, 19.6% parity 2 and 53.6% parity 3 or
more. Total mean ionized Ca concentration was 1.00 mmol/L
(range: 0.54-1.24 mmol/L) and ionized Mg was 0.615 mmol/L
(range=0.32 – 0.89  mmol/L). Within parity number, the con-
centration of ionized Ca was 1.064, 1.024, and 0.894 mmol/L
for parity 1, 2, and ≥3, respectively. For ionized Mg was 0.63,
0.60, and 0.613 mmol/L, for parity 1, 2, and ≥ 3, respective-
ly. Defining a cut-off value of ionized Ca for subclinical hypo-
calcemia of 1.10  mmol/L, the total prevalence of  subclinical
hypocalcemia  at day 1 postpartum  was 65% with a range
of an intra-herd prevalence between 0% and 100%. From the
total number of cows (n=88), the prevalence of subclinical hy-
pocalcemia within parity number was 40%, 54.5%, and 86.7%
for parity 1, 2, and ≥ 3, respectively. It is concluded that sub-
clinical hypocalcemia based on ionized Ca determination, is
a metabolic disorder more common than expected in Chilean
southern dairy cattle handled under grazing conditions.  novel biomarkers for identifying cows susceptible to metabolic
Keywords: Ionized calcium, ionized magnesium, dairy
herds, Chile.
NU-23
Very low negative DCAD diet promotes severe metabolic
acidosis and alters plasma and urine metabolomics in
prepartum Holstein cows
Pedro Melendez1, Prasanth Chelikani1, Dhavalkumar Patel2, Eduardo
Garbarino3.
School of Veterinary Medicine, Texas Tech University, Amarillo, TX,
1 Grünberg4.
United States; 2Health Science Center, Texas Tech University, Amarillo,
TX, United States; 3Progressive Dairy Health Service, Clovis, NM,
United States.
Several nutritional strategies to prevent clinical hypocal-
cemia in the US dairy industry and other countries have been
focused on feeding anionic diets. These diets reduced urinary
pH from 8.5 (normal) to as low as 5.5, which imposes a tre-
mendous acid load on the kidneys. However, the impact of
anionic diets on the metabolic status of both the cows and their
calves is not well understood, and such levels of over acidifi-
cation may have detrimental effects on both the dam and her
offspring. Consequently, the objectives of this cross-sectional
non-intervention observational study were to compare urine
and blood parameters between cows consuming a positive
DCAD diet (early dry cows, DCAD + 250 Meq/kg DM, n=15)
with the same cows consuming a negative DCAD diet (-220
mEq/kg DM) 10 days after moving them from the early dry to
the prepartum group. Urine pH and blood metabolites were
analyzed by a one-way repeated measures ANOVA for paired
samples using the PROC GLM of SAS (2017). Differences
in metabolic classes between groups were compared using
BH correction (FDR= 0.05; Graph Pad 7.0), and metabolomic
analyses was conducted using Metaboanalyst 5.0. Urine pH
and blood analytes for the early-dry and prepartum periods,
respectively, were as follows: urine pH: 8.18 and 5.33 (P ≤
0.0001); blood pH : 7.50 and 7.36 (P ≤ 0.0001); base excess
(mmol/L): 2.46 and -7.79 (P ≤ 0.0001); lactate (mmol/L): 0.99
and 1.49 (P ≤ 0.05); HCO3 (mmol/L): 25.65 and 17.45 (P ≤
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases
0.0001); sO2 (%): 68.73 and 52.0 (P ≤ 0.01); TCO2 (mmol/L):
26.59 and 18.39 (P ≤ 0.0001); pCO2 (mm Hg): 32.62 and 30.68
(P > 0.05); pO2 (mm Hg): 37.51 and 29.85 (P > 0.05). Parity,
BCS and days to parturition effect for all outcome variables
were not significant (P > 0.05). Importantly, the metabolomics
data revealed that only urine concentrations of essential and
aromatic amino acids were decreased, and that concentra-
tions of total non-essential amino acids and glucogenic amino
acids were increased in plasma and reciprocally decreased in
urine, suggesting that the cows fed anionic salts are attempt-
ing to meet a high glucose demand by mobilizing gluconeo-
genic amino acid reserves. The dietary anionic salts exerted
marked effects on glycerophospholipids with a reduction in a
majority of phosphatidylcholine containing diacyl and acyl-al-
kyl moieties in plasma and urine. Further characterization of
these metabolomic profiles may lead to the development of
alterations.
Keywords: Negative DCAD, metabolic acidosis, urine pH,
metabolomics, Holstein.
NU-24
Effect of oral or parenteral iron supplementation in early
life on iron concentration and hematological parameters of
dairy calves fed commercial milk replacer
Lennart Golbeck1, Imke Cohrs2, Esther Humann-Ziehank3, Walter
1
Clinic for cattle, University of veterinary medicine hannover,
Foundation, Hannover, Germany; 2Educational and Research Centre
for Animal Husbandry, Hofgut Neumuehle, Münchweiler an der
Alsenz, Germany; 3LABVETCON-Laboratory Veterinary Consulting,
Burgdorf, Germany; 4Clinic for Ruminants, Justus-Liebig University
Gießen, Gießen, Germany.
Objectives: Iron supplementation is common in newborn
calves. The objective of this study was to compare the effect of
oral and parenteral iron supplemenation to a negative control
treatment on iron concentration and hematological parame-
ters.
Material and Methods: Thirty healthy newborn dairy
calves were randomly assigned a subcutaneous injecton of
Fe3+(1000mg,INJ), oral administration of Fe3+(1050mg,ORAL)
or a sham-treatment without Fe3+(CON) within 1h of birth.
Calves were then fed whole milk over 5 days(d) and after-
wards switched to milk replacer (MR,1500g/d,65mgFe/kg).
Blood was collected before treatment, on d1,3,5,7 and once
weekly for 7 weeks. Samples were analyzed for hematology
and iron concentration.
Results: Red blood cell count declined by ~17% in all
groups, reaching a nadir within the first week. Values returned
to d0-values by d14 in INJ and ORAL and d28 in CON, and
remained constant thereafter. Hemoglobin(Hb) reached a
more pronounced nadir at d7(CON) compared to d5 (INJ and
ORAL). Hb rose and remained >100g/L from d9 on (INJ and
ORAL), CON calves remaind in the range of 80g/L.
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ORAL — Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases
Serum-iron peaked at d1 in ORAL (48.5 [46.9-51.7]µmol/L)
and INJ (31.0[27.6-37.8]µmol/L) and declined thereafter. A
second peak occurred at d7 (ORAL 23.9 [21.2-38.0]µmol/L,
INJ 32.2 [20.9-39.1]µmol/L, CON 19.2 [12.6-20.9]µmol/L).
Thereafter serum-iron in ORAL and INJ remained above CON.
Conclusions: Oral and parenteral iron supplementation
had similar effects on hematological parameters and iron con-
centrations. Although Hb-values were higher in treated than
control calves, hematological parameters remained within ref-
erence limits throughout the study in all groups.
Keywords: Iron treatment, hematology, neonatal calf.
NU-25
Variation in Longissimus Dorsi thickness in dry and
lactating Holstein dairy cows, and association with early
lactation mastitis and sole ulceration
William Tulley, Matthew Barden, Bethany Griffiths, Alkiviadis
Anagnostopoulos, Cherry Bedford, Georgios Oikonomou.
University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
Objectives: Dairy cattle face a drastic increase in nutrient
demand at the onset of lactation leading to a period of neg-
ative nutrient balance which cattle respond to by catabolism
of body tissues. Adipose tissue mobilisation to meet energy
demands for maintenance, and milk production and its asso-
ciation with health and fertility have been extensively studied.
Studies on the role of muscle mobilization have been limited
to small numbers of cows in single herds or experimental set-
tings (Megahed et al., 2019, Van der Drift et al., 2012). While
a consistent pattern of muscle mobilisation has been identi-
fied, data is lacking from large scale studies involving large
numbers of cows across multiple herds. The objectives of this
study were to (i) describe changes in longissimus dorsi thick-
ness before and after calving (ii) to identify variables asso-
ciated with difference in longissimus dorsi thickness and (iii)
to describe associations between muscle thickness and early
lactation health disorders.
Materials and Methods: A cohort of 2,352 Holstein cat-
tle were prospectively enrolled on four farms and assessed
at four different stage pre-calving (PC), immediately after
calving (fresh, F), in early lactation (EL), and in late lactation
(LL). Cows were grouped by parity as either primiparous or
multiparous. At each time point, ultrasonographic images of
the longissimus dorsi muscle at the level of the 5th lumbar ver-
tebrae were stored and retrospectively measured according
to the method described by Megahed et al (2019). Feet were
lifted, and presence and severity of sole lesions was assessed
by veterinary surgeons and lesion severity recorded. Mastitis
episodes in the first 30 days in milk (CM30) were recorded by
trained farm staff. A mixed effects multivariable logistic regres-
sion model was fitted to the data, with muscle thickness as the
outcome; cow was fitted in this model as a random effect to
account for within animal clustering of measurements.
Results: In total, 6,849 observations were available from
2,186 cattle. Significant variables that remained in the final
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
322
model were parity, farm, CM30, stage, calving season and
incidence of sole ulcer in EL, with significant interactions be-
tween stage x farm, parity x stage x farm, sole ulcer in EL
x stage and parity x stage. Variance components analysis
showed that 58% of variation in muscle thickness was due to
animal effects.
In agreement with previous studies a greatest decrease in
muscle thickness was between PC and F (with model adjusted
means and standard error being 36.99 ± 0.90 mm and 32.59
± 0.91 mm, respectively). Pattern of mobilisation varied by
parity with primiparous animals having a greater decrease in
muscle thickness between PC and F, and multiparous animals
between F and EL. Differences occurred in pattern of change
in muscle thickness between farms at different stages. Farms
with greater loss in muscle thickness had higher formulated
levels of crude and metabolisable protein in early lactation di-
ets, but no consistent difference in pre-calving diets.
Cows with a sole ulcer at EL had significantly lower muscle
thickness at EL compared to cows without sole ulcer. A CM30
by stage interaction was observed (p=0.06) with cows with
CM30 having a greater decrease in muscle thickness from PC
to F.
Conclusion: Decrease in thickness of longissimus dorsi
was greatest prior to calving and is not synchronous with mo-
bilisation of body fat (initial analysis; data not shown). Pattern
of muscle loss differs between different parities at different lac-
tation stages, and different farms at different lactation stages,
suggestive of a management or nutritional influence, although
cow factors are highly significant. Pattern of decrease in mus-
cle thickness is also associated with incidence of early lacta-
tion mastitis and sole ulceration.
References:
Megahed, A. A., Hiew M.W.H., Ragland D., Constable P.D.
(2019) ‘Changes in skeletal muscle thickness and echogenici-
ty and plasma creatinine concentration as indicators of protein
and intramuscular fat mobilization in periparturient dairy cows’,
Journal of Dairy Science. American Dairy Science Association,
102(6), pp. 5550–5565. doi: 10.3168/jds.2018-15063.
Van der Drift, S.G.A., Houweling M., Schonewille J.T., Tiel-
ens A.G.M., Jorritsma R. (2012) Protein and fat mobilization
and associations with serum B-hydroxybutyrate concentra-
tions in dairy cows, Journal of Dairy Science. American Dairy
Science Association, 95 pp. 4911-4920. Doi:10.3168/jds.2011-
4771.
Keywords: Longissimus dorsi, mastitis, sole ulcer.
NU-26
Factors affecting milk fatty acid composition on Galician
Holsteins cows: a field studyFactors affecting milk fatty acid
composition on Galician Holsteins cows: a field study
Ruth Rodríguez-Bermúez1, Ramiro Fouz1, Margarita Rico1, Juan
Cainzos2, Francisco Javier Diéguez1.
1
Departamento de Anatomía, Produción Animal e Ciencias Clínicas
Veterinarias, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela (USC), Lugo,
Spain; 2ABS Progenex, Madrid, Spain.

During the last decades, milk fatty acid composition (mFAc)
has gained the interest of manufacturers and consumers as it
influences nutritional, physical and flavor properties of dairy
products (Bobe et al. 2007). Previous studies reported sever-
al factors, including individual variability, genetic parameters,
and breed, influencing mFAc (Samková et al. 2012). The aim
of the present study was to evaluate type of ration, calving
number, lactation phase and season impact on fatty acid com-
position, including myristic (C14:0), palmitic (C16:0), stearic
(C18:0), oleic (C18:1), saturated (SFA), monounsaturated
(MUFA), polyunsaturated (PUFA) and short chain fatty acid
(SCFA) concentration in cow's milk in 25 Galician (NW Spain)
commercial dairy farms. 10,098 test-days samples from the
1,557 cows were collected from July 2018 to June 2019 and
bronopol-preserved samples from Laboratorio Interprofesion-
al Galego de Análise do Leite (LIGAL, Spain) were received.
Quantity of C14:0, C16:0, C18:0, C18:1, SFA, MUFA, PUFA
and SCFA, MCFA, LCFA and total FA (in g/100 g of milk), as
well as, fat and protein % and milk β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB)
concentration (in all the animals from 1st post‐partum (PP) test
day) were determined individually by infrared-FTIR (Fourier
transformed infrared-FTIR, MilkoScan FT6000, Foss Electric,
Hillerød, Denmark). On top of this analysis, data from each
test-day, including cow ID, date, parity (1st, 2nd and ≥3rd), type
of ration (pasture based, grass silage-based total mixed ration
(TMR), corn silage-based TMR or grass/corn silage-based
TMR), days in milk (DIM) and daily milk yield were recorded.
For analysis, animals were classified into five categories: fresh
cows without ketosis (DIM ≤ 35 and BHB concentration in the
first PP test-day < 0.10 mM/L), fresh cows with ketosis (DIM
≤ 35 and BHB ≥ 0.10 mM/L), peak lactation (DIM > 35 to 90),
mid lactation (DIM 91-210) and late lactation (DIM >210).
Data were analyzed descriptively and by means of
mixed-effect ordinal regression models. Animals feeding corn
silage-based total mixed rations (TMR) and grass/corn silage
based-TMR had higher C14:0, C16:0 and SFA concentrations
than those feeding pasture-based rations, but lower concen-
trations of C18:0 and PUFA. Comparing to 1st parity cows,
2nd parity animals had higher C16:0, SFA and SCFA concen-
trations and 3rd parity cows had higher C18:0, SFA and SCFA.
With respect to spring, C14:0, C16:0 and SFA concentrations
increased in summer, autumn and winter while MUFA, PUFA
and SCFA concentrations decreased. In the case of C18:0
and C18:1, concentrations decreased in autumn and winter.
Considering the lactation phase, C14:0, C16:0 and SFA con-
centrations decreased in fresh cows with ketosis comparing
to healthy fresh cows and increased in peak, mid, and late
lactation (using again healthy fresh cows as reference). C18:0,
C18:1 and MUFA follow the opposite trend. Milk fatty acid pro-
file varies significantly with type of ration, calving number, lac-
tation phase and season. The fact that the fatty acid profile has
been associated with animal health, organoleptic properties of
milk or even methane production highlights the importance of
studying factors that affect its variation.
Keywords: Milk, Fatty acid, holstein.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases
NU-27
Economic opportunities on prevention of subclinical and
clinical hypocalcemia by use of synthetic zeolite
Per Theilgaard1, Jehan Ettema2.
ViloFoss, Fredericia, Denmark; 2SimHerd, Agro Business Park, Tjele,
1
Denmark.
Objective: The objective of this study was to develop a
sophisticated and robust tool for dairy farmers, to quantify the
impact of using synthetic zeolite (X-Zelit) for prevention of sub-
clinical and clinical hypocalcemia on farm economics.
Material and Methods: Dairy farmers could implement
several solutions to decrease subclinical hypocalcemia. The
solutions have different costs and efficiency in terms of reduc-
ing hypocalcemia. The existing simulation model SimHerd can
quantify the economic consequences of changes in manage-
ment for a dairy herd including youngstock. The expert-ver-
sion of the model that vets use requires intensive training,
and each simulation is time consuming. Therefore, in order
for SimHerd to be operational for farmers, a Response Sur-
face Model (RSM) was developed. An RSM is a meta-model
that approximately describes the behavior of a certain area
of the complex model (SimHerd). The current RSM predicts
the change in profit (output) as a function of implementing of
synthetic zeolite (X-Zelit) for prevention of hypocalcemia given
different levels of disease risk and milk yield, amongst other in-
put parameters. The assumed reduction in hypocalcemia as a
result of the implementation was based on scientific literature.
In this project, an RSM was created using four steps.
• First, a simulation experiment with SimHerd, the expert
version, was designed, covering the relevant ranges of
input parameters like milk yield level, the risk of mas-
titis, calving interval and calf mortality among others.
• Secondly, simulation of all 160 scenarios from this ex-
periment were done by SimHerd, using 200 replica-
tions and a burn-in period of 5 years.
• In the third step, the simulated results (output) were de-
scribed as a function of the model’s input with a linear
prediction model. The best model was chosen by the
Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) using the stepAIC()
procedure in the MASS package of R.
• Finally, the response of the resulting model was ex-
plored, when using combinations of input parameters,
that were not included in the design (interpolation and
extrapolation).
Result: Input parameters of the RSM are herd size, milk
yield per cow-year, the herd-level incidence of milk fever, sub-
clinical hypocalcemia, other metabolic diseases, reproductive
diseases, culling rate. The output parameters are changes in
milk yield per cow-year, replacement rate, life-time yield, num-
ber of surplus heifers and economic net return per year and
per cow-year. The RSM describes the changes in the output
as a function of the input. The equations that make up the
RSM contain two-way interactions and quadratic terms. The
RSM is used as a web-based calculator (html) embedded on
the Vilofoss website, where advisors and dairy farmers can
use it.
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ORAL — Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases

Table 1. Examples of the RSM for 4 different herds, that research is to present results from three years of testing close-
are characterized by different levels of yield, hypocalcemia up dry cows based on samples submitted to the laboratory of
and replacement rate (input). The OUTPUT shows changes Royal GD from 2019 to 2021.
in production parameters relative to current production (OUT- Materials and Methods: Results for metabolic parame-
PUT) when using calcium binder for prevention of subclinical ters in serum samples of close-up dry cow submitted to the
hypocalcemia. veterinary laboratory of Royal GD (Deventer, the Netherlands)
between January 2019 and December 2021 were evaluated.
Herd 1 Herd 2 Herd 3 Herd 4 Each submission consisted of samples from a set of 4 to 10
cows (between 21 and 2 days before calving) from one herd.
INPUT Yield, kg EKM 9.000 9.000 11.000 11.000
Serum samples were analyzed for concentrations of NEFA,
Subclinical 50 70 70 70 BHBA, urea, Mg, and haptoglobin on a clinical-chemistry
hypocalcemia, %
analyzer using enzymatic or colorimetric methods. The final
Replacement rate 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.2 dataset contained records of 6798 cows from a total of 1371
OUTPUT, Kg ECM +77 +87 + 114 +119 submissions (with an average of 5 samples per farm). Data
change
Replacement -1.5 -1.8 -1,8 -2.7 could occasionally originate from cows that were sampled out-
rate, % side the targeted interval of 21 to 2 days before calving, but
at a low enough incidence to be insignificant. Cut-off values,
based on earlier studies, were: cows with NEFA concentra-
Benefit pr cow, € 54 € 59 € 67 € 71 €
tions ≥0.40 mmol/L, BHBA concentrations ≥0.80 mmol/L, and/
or haptoglobin concentrations ≥0.30 g/L were indicated to be
The table shows a larger benefit in case of calcium bind- at an increased risk for postpartum disease. Cows with urea
ing in case the incidence of hypocalcemia is high; the bene- concentrations ≤3.3 mmol/L were indicated to have a insuffi-
fit increases with €59 in herd 2 and with only €54 in herd 1. cient protein supply. For magnesium concentrations, a cut-off
Furthermore, in case the herd has a high milk yield level, the value of ≤0.78 mmol/L was used to indicate increased risk for
increase in milk yield, and therefore the benefit of the interven- postpartum hypocalcaemia. The proportion of cows below or
tion, is also higher (herd 3 versus herd 2). Finally, in case the above the cut-off value were calculated for each metabolic pa-
herd has a lower culling rate and therefore a higher proportion rameter.
of older parity cows, the intervention shows a larger benefit Results: Descriptive statistics are shown in Table 1. Con-
(herd 4 versus herd 3). Many more factors can be adjusted to centrations of one or more metabolic indicators were outside
explore the benefit in the individual farm. the cut-off values in 50.5% of cows, with urea being the most
Conclusion: The developed RSM tool makes it easier for frequent, at 22.9%, and Mg being the least frequent, at 5.8%.
the farmers to see the effects of changes in herd manage-
ment. This has a potential to improve their decision making, as Table 1. Descriptive statistics for concentrations of NEFA, BHBA,
farmers can improve their economic performance, using the urea, magnesium (Mg), and haptoglobin in serum of 6798 cows
farmers’ own key figures and prices. (1371 sets of 4 to 10 samples) sent to the laboratory of Royal GD
from January 2019 to December 2021, including cut-off values and
Keywords: Hypocalcemia, synthetic zeolite, economics. proportion of results outside the cut-offs.
Mean P25 – Min - Cut-off % of
Parameter Median
(± SD) P75 Max value cows
NEFA 0.24 0.14 – 0.10 –
0.18 ≥0.40 12.8%
(mmol/L) (± 0.19) 0.27 2.07
NU-28
BHBA 0.6 0.5 – 0.1 –
0.6 ≥0.8 18.4%
Metabolic profiling of dry cows in practice: three-year (mmol/L) (± 0.2) 0.7 5.6
results from a routine laboratory Urea 4.3
4.2
3.4 – 2.0 –
≤3.3 22.9%
(mmol/L) (± 1.3) 5.1 22.3
Saskia Van Der Drift, Sietske Haarman - Zantinge, Deon Van Der
Mg 0.96 0.90 – 0.34 –
Merwe. (mmol/L) (± 0.12)
0.97
1.03 4.10
≤0.78 5.8%

Royal GD, Deventer, Netherlands. Haptoglobin 0.18 0.07 – 0.03 –

0.09 ≥0.30 9.6%
(g/L) (± 0.36) 0.14 8.05

Objectives: Metabolic parameters can be assessed in

close-up dry cows (last 3 weeks before calving) to indicate
their risk for postpartum diseases and evaluate transition cow
management. In the Netherlands, dairy farmers can submit
serum samples from a set of close-up dry cows to the labo-
ratory of Royal GD for analysis of a specific set of metabolic
parameters, including non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), β-hy-
droxybutyric acid (BHBA), urea, magnesium (Mg), and hapto-
globin. Results are presented in a herd report that can be used
to improve transition cow management. The objective of this
Conclusions: A substantial proportion of close-up cows
were outside the cut-off values for one or more metabolic pa-
rameters. Based on the high proportion of cows with low urea
results, a suboptimal protein supply in the dry period could be
an important risk factor for transition cows in the Netherlands.
Testing for metabolic parameters in close-up dry cows can be
helpful to evaluate dry cow management and indicate cows at
risk for postpartum diseases.
Keywords: Close-up, dry cows, metabolic parameters.

31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID

324

PA-01
Assessment of body weight and weight gain of Eprinomectin
or Doramectin injectable strategic control against
gastrointestinal helminths on grazing Holstein heifers in
Brazil
Luciana Maffini Heller1, Luiz Fellipe Monteiro Couto1, Dina Maria
Beltran Zapa1, Gustave Decuadro Hansen2, Bruno Sivieri De Lima3,
Welber Daniel Zanetti Lopes1.
Centro de Parasitologia Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Goiás,
1
Goiás, Brazil; 2Virbac Latam, Santiago de Chile, Chile; 3Virbac do
Brasil, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Objective: The experiment was conducted to assess the
expected body weight and weight gain of distinct strategic de-
worming control program with injectable eprinomectin or dor-
amectin against gastrointestinal helminths on grazing Holstein
heifers in central-west of Brazil from November 2018 until
June 2019.
Material & Methods: On November 2018, 150 Holstein
heifers with an average age of 5.8 months belonging to the
commercial dairy farm located in Jatai (Southwest of Goiania
state, Brazil) were enrolled and weighed in order to estimate
the weight gain in the last 30 days prior the trial. Deworm-
er drenches or any other antiparasitic medicine had not been
used on the heifers within the previous 120 days. Faecal sam-
ples were taken from all heifers before turnout and parasite
egg counts ranged from 0 to 300 eggs per gram (EPG). The
study population was then stratified with regard to the average
daily gain and age, and animals were randomly allocated in 3
homogenous groups of 50 heads as follow, 1) Group 1 (G01)
were injected with eprinomectin 2 % at a dose of 1 ml/100kg
BW (NEOPRINIL® injectable - Virbac do Brasil), 2) Group 2
(G02) received doramectin 1 % at the dose of 1 ml/50kg BW
(DECTOMAX® - Zoetis Brazil), and 3) Group 3 (G03) was
designated as negative control group and was not treated with
macrocyclic lactones, however, was injected with saline solu-
tion as placebo. Treatments were performed for all groups in
November 2018 (age ± 5.8 months), February 2019 (age ±
8.8 months) and May 2019 (age ± 11.8 months), completing a
study period of 210 days. All enlisted heifers were individually
weighed on an electronic scale on day –30 (October 2018),
d0 (day of the beginning of treatment), d30, 60 and every 30
days until d210. The weight gain of each animal was calculat-
ed considering the difference in bodies weights achieved over
the study period.
Results: The average weight of monitored animals
from G01 G02 and G03 on day 0 was 147.49 kg, 147.49 kg
and 147.53 kg (n.s.), respectively. By d210, same groups
showed an average weight of 268.9 kg, 264.6 kg and 258.5 kg,
respectively. There was no statistical difference in the average
weight obtained between the groups, over the study period.
The average weight gain demonstrated by the heifers enlisted
in G01, was statistically higher (P≤0.05) to the average weight
gain showed by the control animals (G03) on d210. There was
no statistically significant difference in average weight gain
between the treated groups (G01 and G02) at the end of the
observation period.
Conclusion: Dairy replacement heifers represents a drain
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Parasitism
of cash flow in any dairy farm. Support weight gain with an
overall program including strategic deworming can increase
the net value of heifers entering the herd. Results of this study
confirm that a strategic deworming of grass-fed dairy heifers
with injectable macrocyclic lactones improves live weight and
weight gain.
Keywords: Eprinomectin, doramectin, helminths, Brazil.
PA-02
On the current resistance status of stable flies from dairy
farms in Brandenburg (Germany)
Sophia Reissert-Oppermann1, Ricarda Daher1, Jürgen Krücken1,
Burkhard Bauer1, Wiebke Weiher2, Peter-Henning Clausen1, Stephan
Steuber2.
1
Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie
Universität Berlin, Robert-von-Ostertag-Str. 7-13, D-14163 Berlin,
Germany; 2Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety
(BVL), Mauerstr. 39-42, D-10117 Berlin, Germany.
Objectives: Flies play an important role as pests and vec-
tors of pathogens in ruminant production systems. During an
earlier study, varying degrees of resistance against insecti-
cides were demonstrated in 58 out of 60 Musca domestica
field populations collected on dairy farms (Jandowsky et. al.,
2010). A further pilot study was carried out to investigate the
potential occurrence of resistance in stable flies (Stomoxys
(S.) calcitrans) against commonly used adulticides and larvi-
cides on dairy farms in the federal state of Brandenburg.
Material & Methods: Based on a questionnaire survey,
40 dairy farms were selected for an on-farm cross-sectional
survey. An bioassay (FlyBox®) was concomitantly used to
evaluate the field susceptibility of stable flies against the syn-
thetic pyrethroid deltamethrin. To confirm the preliminary re-
sults observed in the on-farm bioassay, stable flies with strong
evidence of deltamethrin resistance were collected from 10
selected dairy cattle farms for further investigations.
Using a susceptible reference strain of S. calcitrans, the
discriminating dose (DD) of deltamethrin (2.3 ng/fly) and the
organophosphate azamethiphos (4.9 ng/fly) were calculated.
Subsequently, the progeny of the 10 stable fly populations was
each tested with 1x, 4x, and 16x of the DD following recom-
mendations of WHO (2016). Furthermore, two insect growth
regulators (IGR), the larvicides cyromazine and pyriproxyfen,
were evaluated at different concentrations based on the man-
ufacturers' recommendations.
PASA-PCR (amplification of specific multiple alleles) were
established with a forward primer matching all known alleles
and reverse primers perfectly matching to the wild-type (Leu)
or resistance-associated alleles currently known in pyrethroid
resistant house and stable flies (e.g. kdr, kdr-his, super-kdr).
Results: The questionnaire survey revealed that pyre-
throids are the most frequently used insecticides (78.9 %).
The on-farm survey using the cardboard box bioassay (Fly-
Box®) indicated deltamethrin resistance in all of 40 strains
tested (100 %). The topical application of deltamethrin at 1x,
325
ORAL — Parasitism
4x, and 16x of the DD provided mean paralysis rates of 22.7
%, 55.3 %, and 87.9 % in the 10 suspect strains at 24 hrs. p.
appl. At the highest dose applied (16x) 70 % of the stable fly
populations showed paralysis rates < 98% indicating high re-
sistance intensity according to the WHO concept (2016). The
topical application of azamethiphos at 1x, 4x, and 16x of the
DD revealed mean paralysis rates of 22.7 %, 55.3 %, and 87.9
% at 24 hrs. p. appl. Six out of ten populations (60 %) showed
mortality rates below 98 % at the highest dose tested (16x)
indicating high resistance intensity according to the WHO con-
cept (2016). The use of the IGRs cyromazine and pyriproxyfen
at the recommended concentrations resulted in an inhibition
rate of 100 % in all 10 evaluated populations indicating full
susceptibility against the two larvicides.
First results of the PASA revealed kdr and kdr-his muta-
tions in Stomoxys calcitrans field populations being the second
molecular confirmation of kdr resistant stable flies worldwide.
Conclusions: There is an urgent need for re-designing
strategies to control fly populations, particularly with regard to
any non-strategic use of adulticides. Before applying insecti-
cides (biocides or veterinary medicinal products) it is highly
recommended to assess the resistance status of flies in ani-
mal husbandries. Insecticides should only be used as the last
resort of choice in a cascade of possible control measures
such as improved manure management, insect traps and the
use of biological control agents. Unfortunately, none of the
aforementioned methods alone is sufficient to effectively con-
trol flies in dairy farms. Therefore, there is a considerable need
for research.
References:
Jandowsky, A. et al. (2010): Occurrence and distribution
of insecticide resistance in house flies (Musca domestica) on
dairy farms in Brandenburg, Germany, Der praktische Tierarzt,
91, 590-598.
WHO (2016): Test procedures for insecticide resis-
tance monitoring in malaria vector mosquitoes, 2nd edt.,
ISBN 978 92 4 151157 5. www.who.int/malaria/publications/
atoz/9789241511575/en/
Keywords: Stomoxys calcitrans, insecticide resistance,
kdr, cattle, Germany.
PA-03
Anti-O.ostertagi antibody ODR in bulk tank milk assesses
exposure not parasitism
Tom Loughnan1, David Beggs2, Peter Mansell2.
Colac Vet Clinic, Colac, Australia; 2The University of Melbourne,
1
Melbourne, Australia.
Objective: International research has suggested that anti
O. ostertagi antibody optical density ratio (ODR) of vat milk
can indicate the level of milk production benefit producers will
get from applying effective anthelmintic treatments to lactating
dairy cows. ODR is an assessment of the magnitude of anti-
body production specific to O. ostertagi. In Australian pastoral
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
326
dairy systems, lactating cows and young stock graze on pas-
ture for 100% of their life and there will often be a prolonged
worm season in dairy regions due to the high rainfall climate.
The objective of this study was to look for a correlation be-
tween ODR and faecal egg count (FEC) or the presence of
parasite eggs in faeces in corresponding cohorts.
Materials and Methods: Fourteen herds in south-west
Victoria (Australia) were included in the study. All were com-
mercial dairy enterprises. Milk vat samples were collected
during the calving period for ODR. On the same day, faecal
samples were collected from recently calved cows (less than
30 days in milk) for individual FEC (sensitive to 2.5 eggs per
gram of faeces). Fifteen primiparous and 15 multiparous an-
imals of representative ages were sampled. Farm practices
including recent and routine anthelmintic use was recorded for
each property and each cohort of animals. Data analysis was
then undertaken using the Jamovi statistical package.
Results: Bulk milk ODR was not related to measurable
FEC in corresponding herds. Bulk milk ODR was also not re-
lated to the proportion of animals in each corresponding co-
hort with detected parasite eggs in faeces. Bulk milk ODR was
strongly correlated to the number of days since most recent
anthelmintic application (r2=0.73).
Conclusion: Anti-O. ostertagi ODR is a good measure
of likely antibody presence against O. ostertagi. However, in
pastoral systems in Australia where worms are present on
pasture for sustained periods, possibly year-round, it may not
be a good measure of current parasite load. ODR should not
be used as the sole determinant of anthelmintic application in
Victorian pastoral dairy herds.
Keywords: Australia, pasture-based, dairy, ODR, FEC.
PA-04
Prevalence and risk factors for hair loss in outdoor-wintered
beef cattle during cold weather conditions
Ylva Persson1, Katinca Fungbrant2, Giulio Grandi1, Wonhee Cha1.
1
National Veterinary Institute, Uppsala, Sweden; 2Farm & Animal
Health, Stockholm, Sweden.
Keeping cattle outdoor year-around is an attractive alter-
native for farmers due to low investment costs. Furthermore,
keeping the animals outside can promote animal health and
welfare compared to confined settings. In the Nordic countries,
the climate can be a challenge though, as extreme cold and
harsh wind can negatively affect an animal's thermal balance.
The hair is an important parameter in the thermal retention
capacity of an animal. Thus, if the hair thins out and bald spots
appear, the welfare of the animal can get negatively affected
along with the production value of the animal. Therefore, we
conducted a repeated cross-sectional study to examine the
epidemiology of hair loss in outdoor cattle in Sweden during
the winters of 2019-2021. The three main objectives were (1)
to describe the prevalence of hair loss in outdoor cattle, (2) to
examine the development of hair loss in animals when there
was no prophylactic ectoparasite treatment (delousing) ap-

plied, and (3) to investigate the associated factors for the hair
loss outcome.
During January-February of 2019-2021, each group of
outdoor cattle had an annual visit where they were inspected
for hair loss, and group-level data, such as size, breed, and
information on delousing treatment (date, drug), was collected
along with the inspection parameters in the Swedish control
program for outdoor cattle. A subset of the study population,
among groups with no prophylactic delousing treatment, was
followed up for investigating development of hair loss in animal
level. Logistic regression was used to examine the association
between collected animal- and group-level factors and sta-
tus of hair loss with group and farm added as random effects
when relevant. All the analyses were done using R.
A total of 463 groups from 75 farms were included in the
study. The median size of the groups was 30 animals (range
2-698). 25.7% (n=119) of all the groups had at least one an-
imal with hair loss. Prevalence of hair loss within group var-
ied from 0.6% to 47.9% (mean 8.2%). Thirty-one farms had
no hair loss observed. In the final model, group size (p<0.01)
remained to be significantly associated with the hair loss out-
come with the small groups (<14 animals) having lower odds.
Also, having at least one dirty cow in the group significantly
increased the odds for hair loss (OR=4.34, p<0.01), while de-
lousing treatment significantly lowered the likelihood for hair
loss in a group (OR=0.43, p<0.05). Among the groups with
delousing treatment (n= 336), having at least one dirty animal
in the group significantly increased the odds to have hair loss
outcome (OR=12.64, p<0.00001), while delousing the animals
before November significantly decreased the odds (OR=0.26,
p>0.05). For the groups that did not have any prophylactic de-
lousing treatment (n=127), only the big group size (>68 ani-
mals) was associated with the hair loss outcome (OR=3.64,
p<0.05) in the final model.
A total of 3673 animals were included in the groups in
which no prophylactic delousing was performed for the study.
At the first visit, 249 animals showed hair loss (6.78%) while
the proportion increased to 12.02% at the second visit and
18.22% on the third visit, suggesting spread of hair loss within
the group over time. In the final model, being >2 years old
(OR=11.89, p<0.001) and having bedding (OR=4.13, p<0.001)
were significantly associated with higher likelihood of hair
loss in an animal. Also in the final model, compared to Here-
ford, Angus had significantly higher odds to develop hair loss
(OR=8.59, p<0.05).
In conclusion, the study showed a wide range of hair loss
prevalence between farms and groups. Applying prophylactic
delousing treatment significantly decreased the likelihood to
develop hair loss in a group while increase in the proportion
of animals with hair loss was observed among animals with-
out delousing treatment in the follow-up visits. Along with the
statements of veterinarians in the field, these findings suggest
ectoparasites, i.e., lice, as a significant cause for the hair loss
in these outdoor cattle. Yet, there were farms which had no
cows with hair loss during all three years without any delous-
ing treatment, indicating good farm management, like having
no dirty cows, and keeping the group size more manageable
can also be effective measures against hair loss.
Keywords: Range cattle, lice, ectoparasites.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Parasitism
PA-05
Effect of injectable eprinomectin on milk production and
quality of dairy ewes reared semi-intensively and naturally
infected with gastrointestinal nematodes
Sofia Afroditi Termatzidou1, Nektarios Siachos1, Panagiota Kazana1,
Smaragda Sotiraki2, Katerina Saratsi2, Damien Achard3, Hamadi
Karembe3, Georgios Bramis4, Georgios Arsenos1.
1
Laboratory of Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,
School of Health Sciences, Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, Greece;
2
Laboratory of Parasitology, Veterinary Research Institute, Hellenic
Agricultural Organization Demeter, Thermi, Thessaloniki, Greece;
3
Ceva Santé Animale, Libourne, France; 4Ceva Hellas Ltd, Alimos,
Greece.
Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate
the effect of treatment with injectable eprinomectin on milk
production and quality of dairy ewes grazing in communal pas-
tures and naturally infected with gastrointestinal nematodes.
Material and methods: One-hundred and fifty (150) clin-
ically healthy adult lactating ewes (2nd-4th month of lactation)
from 3 flocks (50 animals per flock) were included. They were
raised semi-intensively and had good body condition (BCS
≥2.5), good udder health and negative California Mastitis Test.
On day -7, ewes of each flock were randomly allocated in 2
groups of 25 ewes: Control (group C) and Treated (group T).
Groups were balanced for faecal egg count (FEC), milk yield
record and Maedi-Visna seropositivity. On day 0, ewes in group
T received a single subcutaneous injection of eprinomectin
at a dose rate of 0.2 mg/kg BW (Eprecis® 20 mg/mL, CEVA
santé animale). Ewes in group C were left untreated during the
whole experiment. Ewes in group T with a FEC >300 eggs per
g on day +60 were given a second injection with eprinomectin
at the same dose rate. Faecal samples were individually col-
lected on days -7, 0, +30, +60, +90, +120 for FEC estimations
and coprocultures. On days -7, 0, +30, +60 and +90, individual
milk yield (MY) was recorded using ICAR approved volumetric
milk meters. Moreover, at the same test-days, individual milk
samples were collected for chemical composition and somatic
cells counts (SCC). Energy corrected milk yield (ECMY) for
6% fat was also calculated. Milk composition [fat (F%), protein
(P%) and lactose (L%) content] was determined by infrared
analysis (FTIR interferometer) using Milkoscan FT6000 (Foss
Electric, Denmark) and SCC were evaluated by flow cytome-
try using Fossomatic FS (Foss Electric, Denmark). On each
test-day, individual fat and protein yield (FY and PY, respec-
tively) were calculated. Total lactation MY (TMY), total ECMY
(TECMY), total FY (TFY) and total PY (TPY) were comput-
ed according to ICAR recommendations (ICAR, 2016). The
effect of treatment on FEC (ln-transformed numeric FEC +1)
and milk parameters (MY, ECMY, F%, P%, L%, FY, PY, and
Log_SCC) were assessed with mixed models for repeated
measures accounting for the random effect of each ewe and
each farm. Last, the effect of treatment on TMY, TECMY, TFY
and TPY was assessed with general linear models accounting
for the random variation within each farm. All analyses were
performed with IBM SPSS v.25 (Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.).
Results: The most prevalent parasite at pre-treatment and
post-treatment days was Haemonchus spp. Treatment had a
significant effect (P<0.001) on FEC reduction throughout the
327
ORAL — Parasitism
trial; the overall efficacy on days +30 and +90 was 97.27% and
98.80%, respectively. In two out of the three farms, 80% and
91.3% of T ewes received a second treatment on day +60, due
to high parasitic challenge and burden (FEC >300 eggs per g).
Treatment had a significant effect (P=0.033) on MY. Estimat-
ed marginal means showed an average benefit of ca. 105 mL
more milk per test-day for treated ewes compared to untreated
ones. No significant effects of treatment were observed on the
other parameters, although values were constantly numerical-
ly higher for treated ewes compared to control ones. T ewes
produced 5.7% more milk (308.8 L vs. 292.1 L, P=0.158), 4.6%
more fat-corrected (6%) milk (311.7 L vs. 298.1 L, P=0.236),
2.4% more fat (15.2 kg vs. 14.8 kg), P=0.557) and 6.4% more
protein (11.8 kg vs. 11.1 kg, P=0.115) across the whole lacta-
tion compared to untreated ones.
Conclusion: In this field trial, injectable eprinomectin had
a high overall efficacy against gastrointestinal nematodes, with
Haemonchus spp. being the most prevalent species identified.
Treatment had a beneficial effect on daily milk yield and po-
tentially could lead to higher milk, fat and protein yield during
a whole lactation.
Keywords: Eprinomectin, dairy sheep, milk yield, milk
quality.
PA-06
Severe eosinophilic dermatitis in Jersey cows infested with
Leptotrombidium spp (Acari: Trombiculidae)
Marie-Christine Cadiergues1, Jean-Paul Moulin2, Marie-Noëlle
Lucas3, Philippe Dorchies4, François Schelcher5.
1
Small Animal Clinic, Université de Toulouse, ENVT - UDEAR,
Université de Toulouse, INSERM, ENVT, Toulouse, France; 2Clinique
vétérinaire, Saint-Céré, France; 3Large Animal Clinic, Université de
Toulouse, ENVT, Toulouse, France; 4Université de Toulouse, ENVT,
Toulouse, France; 5Large Animal Clinic, Université de Toulouse,
ENVT - IHAP, Université de Toulouse, INRA, ENVT, Toulouse, France.
Objectives: In cattle, the lesions of eosinophilic derma-
titis are attributed to different causes, but mainly to scabies
and insect bites (stable flies, horn flies, tabanids, …). Harvest
mites, also known as chigger mites, are rarely implicated and
this work reports cases observed in Jersey cows. This study
describes the clinical and histopathological lesions of several
Jersey cows in an organic farming dairy herd in south-west
France, that developed a severe outbreak of pruritic dermatitis
mid-October suspected to be induced by Trombiculidae.
Material and methods: The herd consisted of 28 cows,
including Jersey (21), Bretonne pie noir (3) and crossed
Abondance-Montbéliarde (4) breeds. Lactating cows (17) had
permanent grazing access except for indoor milking times
since June. In addition, they received hay, concentrate and
a vitamin/trace mineral supplement. Five 2-year-old and six
1-year-old heifers had been permanently kept in two different
meadows, with no contact between them or with adults, since
the beginning of the summer. Licking buckets of vitamin/trace
mineral supplement were available. No antiparasitic treatment
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
328
had been administered during the last five months.
Impression smears, multiple skin scrapes, swabs for bac-
terial culture and skin samples for histopathology were col-
lected from the most affected individuals. Blood samples were
taken and haematological parameters, activity of erythrocyte
glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and plasma concentrations
of inorganic iodine, zinc, copper, vitamins A and E were de-
termined. Jersey heifers were serologically examined for anti-
bodies against Besnoitia besnoiti.
Results: Physical examination revealed no abnormalities
other than dermatological. Pruritus was moderate to severe.
Severe and extensive lesions of alopecia, lichenification and
crusting were observed on the jaws, dewlap, face and distal
limbs. Crusts overlying yellowish oozing material were present
on the perineum and above the udder. Only Jersey cows were
affected (10/13 lactating cows and 3/3 2-years-old heifers)
with varying degrees of lesions severity. Lesions were more
intense in 2-years-old Jersey heifers compared to the adults.
The other group of heifers remained unaffected.
Differential diagnoses were parasitic skin disease (psorop-
tic or chorioptic mange, besnoitiosis, trombidiosis), zinc defi-
ciency, superficial bacterial infection (staphylococcal pyoder-
ma, dermatophilosis).
Cytologic examination of direct skin smears revealed very
high numbers of eosinophils but no micro-organisms. Micro-
scopic examination of skin scrapes showed numerous speci-
mens of small-sized Trombiculidae larvae (150 µm x 250 µm)
identified as Leptotrombidium spp and no other ectoparasite
[1, 2]. Histopathological examination of skin biopsy specimens
revealed severe hyperplastic, superficial and deep perivascu-
lar, and oedematous eosinophilic dermatitis. Bacterial culture
yielded Acinetobacter calcoaceticus and Pantoea agglomer-
ans, gram negative facultative anaerobic strains, considered
as contaminants from the soil. Jersey heifers were seroneg-
ative for besnoitiosis. Complete blood counts revealed mild
to moderate eosinophilia (0.6-1.3Ʌ109/L, reference interval
0.1-1.2Ʌ109/L). GSH-Px activity and plasma concentration of
inorganic iodine, zinc, copper, vitamins A and E were in normal
range. Final clinicopathological diagnosis was eosinophilic
dermatitis likely due to Trombiculidae bites. No treatment was
administered. Lesions had completely self-resolved by the
end of December in the absence of any specific or concurrent
treatment or major modification of the feeding or husbandry
conditions. Further complete blood counts and skin scrapes
revealed a 20 % reduction of eosinophils and no presence of
parasite.
Conclusions: This case report emphasizes the need to
include harvest mites in the differential diagnosis of bovine
pruritic dermatoses. Around 3000 nominal species of Trom-
biculidae are known worldwide. Only a few have been iden-
tified on cattle [3]. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this
is the first report of Leptotrombidium sp. in cattle in Europe. A
concurrent contributing role of biting flies cannot be excluded.
Finding lesions only in Jersey cows remained unexplained,
but could be hypothetically consistent with individual genetic
susceptibility to develop hypersensitivity reactions [4], or with
numerous predisposing breed factors (feeding habits, skin
characteristics…).
Selected references:
1. Brennan, J.M. and M.L. Goff, Keys to the genera of

chiggers of the western hemisphere (acarina: trom-
biculidae). J Parasitol, 1977. 63(3): p. 554-66.
2. Shatrov, A.B., et al., Mouthparts in Leptotrombidium
larvae (Acariformes: Trombiculidae). J Morphol, 2016.
277(4): p. 424-44.
3. Gamboa, R., J. Velazquez, and M. Podesta, Trombid-
iosis en bovinos de Costa Rica. Ciencias Veterinarias,
1983. 2-3: p. 95-98.
4. AHVLA disease surveillance report, Rhinitis associat-
ed with allergic nasal granuloma in Jersey cattle. Vet
Rec, 2012. 171(19): p. 468-71.
Keywords: Jersey cows, eosinophilic, skin, Leptotrombid-
ium, Trombiculidae.
PA-07
Efficacy of a targeted selective treatment in dairy herds
affected by clinical dictyocaulosis
Thibaut Lurier1, Thomas Hilaire2, Claire Henon2, Philippe Camuset3,
Gilles Bourgoin4, Marie-Anne Arcangioli2.
1
Université de Lyon, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR EPIA, Marcy l'étoile,
France; 2Université de Lyon, VetAgro Sup, Marcy l'étoile, France;
3
SNGTV, Yvetot, France; 4Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS,
UMR 5558, Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, Marcy
l'étoile, France.
Bovine dictyocaulosis is a pulmonary disease caused by
the presence and development of the strongyle Dictyocaulus
viviparus in the trachea and bronchi of cattle. This parasite is
mostly observed in temperate countries, with potential import-
ant clinical and economical impacts. Individuals that already
had contact with the parasite normally develop a strong ac-
quired immunity. However, when the first contact with the par-
asite was poor and the contamination of the environment is
high, clinical signs can occur. In such a context of clinical dic-
tyocaulosis outbreak in dairy herds, current recommendations
are to treat the whole herd with anthelmintic because of the
presence of subclinical infestations. However, current guide-
lines against anthelminthic resistance recommend the use of
selective treatment on adult cattle in order to maintain a refuge
helminth population unexposed to anthelmintic. According to
the heterogeneity of acquired immunity in a herd, and hence,
of sensitivity of animals to parasitic infestation by D. viviparus,
an early targeted selective treatment of clinically affected and
main shedders animals may be effective to control the disease
in the herd. Such a strategy was never tested for dictyocaulo-
sis and a field validation is thus necessary to ensure a proper
control of ditycocaulosis at the herd level.
Objectives: This study is a pilot study designed to assess
the clinical relevance of a targeted selected treatment against
D.viviparus at the beginning of a dictyocaulosis outbreak in
dairy herds.
Materials and methods: In each herd with clinical signs
of dictyocaulosis, we performed broncho-alveolar lavage on 6
cows and a pooled McKenna sedimentation on 10 cows of the
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Parasitism
herd to test for the presence of D. viviparus. We implemented
a targeted selective treatment in three positive dairy herds by
treating with injectable eprinomectine approximately 50% of
the dairy cows including clinically affected, primiparous and
postpartum cows.The follow-up was implemented one and
three months after the targeted selected treatment by perform-
ing broncho-alveolar lavage and a pooled McKenna sedimen-
tation. The farmers recorded clinical signs of dictyocaulosis at
the herd level during the whole study period.
Results: In the three followed dairy herds, symptoms of
dictyocaulosis vanished after the targeted selective treatment.
After the treatment, we assessed a dictyocaulosis incidence
rate of 2% by month during the whole follow-up, which indi-
cates a low but persistent circulation of the parasite in the
herd. Clinical signs of dictyocaulosis remained very low to in-
existent in the three herds during the whole study period.
Conclusion: The targeted selective treatment implement-
ed in the three herds of this study was efficient to control dic-
tyocaulosis at the herd levels. To our knowledge, this study is
the first to prove the potential interest of a targeted selective
treatment to control dictyocaulosis at the herd level. These re-
sults should be confirmed in a larger study with more herds.
Keywords: Dictyocaulus viviparus - target selected treat-
ment - dairy cattle - bronchoalveolar lavage - baermann sed-
imentation.
PA-08
Ctenocephalides felis (cat flea) infestation in neonatal dairy
calves managed with deltamethrin pour-on in Australia.
Fei Man Bernice Tsoi, Jan Šlapeta, Michael Reynolds.
Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Sydney, Australia.
Objectives: Fleas are worldwide distributed hematoph-
agous ectoparasites (Lawrence et al., 2019). The cat flea
(ctenocephalides felis) is considered the most pervasive flea
with veterinary significance principally centred around owned
dogs and cats (Rust, 2017; Šlapeta et al., 2011). From the
veterinary perspective, livestock are rarely recognised as cat
flea hosts, or suffer from flea infestations (Araujo et al., 1998;
Dryden et al., 1993; Kaal et al., 2006). Here we report on an
outbreak of a flea infestation in neonatal dairy calves in east-
ern Australia.
Materials and Methods: The described events took place
in April to June 2018 and included a group of calves (0–12
weeks) on a privately owned dairy farm in eastern New South
Wales, Australia, under the care of the University Veterinary
Teaching Hospital, Camden, Livestock Unit. The farm oper-
ates an all year round calving herd of 600 Holstein-Friesian
cows and 400 youngstock.
All calves (n = 25) were individually restrained and their ear
tag recorded for numerical identification. The body condition
score (BCS) was assessed using the Penn State University
method on a scale of 2–5, with 0.25 increments. A capillary
refill time (CRT) was evaluated for each calf. Fleas were col-
lected from the sternum and ventral inguinal area of the calves
329
ORAL — Parasitism
using a metal flea comb (JW Gripsoft Flea Comb, Australia).
Each calf was combed for 90 seconds in each area, 3 min-
utes per calf. The total flea count for both sites was reported. A
commercially available deltamethrin pour-on formula (Arrest
Easy-Dose, Virbac Animal Health, Australia) was used ac-
cording to the registered label (1.9mg/kg). A Flea count was
performed immediately before each treatment, and two weeks
after the last treatment and the geometric mean calculated
for the BCS and flea burden present. The flea reduction post
treatment was calculated as a percentage difference between
the pre-treatment and post-treatment geometric mean count.
Statitical analysis was undertaken using the Mann-Whitney
test and exact P values calculated using GraphPad Prism 7.02
(GraphPad Software, CA) with significance level considered at
P-value<0.05.
Results: In early April 2018 examination of 15 affected
calves (age 0–4 weeks) revealed a geometric mean bur-
den of 41.51 (15–75) fleas (treatment group TA at timepoint
1 {TA1}). The affected calves showed dull and quiet demea-
nour, with the geometric mean BCS of 2.67 (2–4). At eight
weeks (TA4), all calves showed bright, alert and responsive
demeanour. The affected treated calves mean BCS was 4.04
(3.75–4.5) and mean count at TA4 was 2.29 (0–2) fleas on
affected treated calves (n = 10), representing a 94.8 % reduc-
tion from TA1 count. In mid-April 2018, an examination of 10
calves (age<4 weeks) revealed a geometric mean burden of
9.32 (2–33) fleas (treatment group TB at timepoint 1 [TB1]).
Demeanour of all calves was bright, alert and responsive. The
geometric mean BCS was 3.79 (3–4.25). At four weeks (TB3),
all 10 calves showed bright, alert and responsive demeanour.
The calves mean BCS was 3.67 (3.25–4). The mean count
at TB3 on the treated calves (n = 10) was 0.68 (0–4) fleas
representing a 92.7 % reduction compared to TB1 counts.The
initial flea burden between TA1 and TB1 (geometric mean)
was reduced by 77.5 % in the youngest calf category with no
clinical disease apparent and improved BCS from 2.67 to 3.79
in calves at TB1, 4 weeks post first application of pour-on del-
tamethrin. Both the flea count and BCS scores between TA1
and TB1 were significant (Mann-Whitney test, P-value<0.05).
Conclusion: Deltamethrin is a synthetic insecticide struc-
turally based on natural pyrethrins (Mestres and Mestres,
1992) and causes rapid knockdown effect through paralysis
of the insect nervous system. In cattle in Australia, deltame-
thrin is used for the treatment of lice and flies (Mestres and
Mestres, 1992). We took advantage of the existing registered
pour-on formulation for cattle, therefore assuring safety, and
the knowledge that that the cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis), is
susceptible to its active ingredient based on previous studies
in dogs. The application of deltamethrin pour-on achieved the
objective of improving the health and welfare of the calves,
through a reduction in the number of fleas.
Keywords: Fleas, Neonatal, Calves, Deltamethrin.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
330
PA-09
Gastrointestinal Parasites in Australian pastoral lactating
dairy cows
Tom Loughnan1, David Beggs2, Peter Mansell2, Matthew Playford3.
Colac Vet Clinic, Colac, Australia; 2The University of Melbourne,
1
Melbourne, Australia; 3Dawbuts, Camden, Australia.
Objectives: In Australian pastoral dairy systems, a variety
of ‘routine’ anthelmintic programs are used in lactating cows.
These programs vary from no use of anthelmintics to adminis-
tration of two doses to cattle annually. This suggests that there
may be either some overuse potentiating the development of
anthelmintic resistance, or underuse with consequential pro-
duction inefficiencies. We aimed to identify the predominant
gastrointestinal parasites in recently calved dairy cows in
south-west Victoria, Australia. We also assessed the different
anthelmintic management practices used on commercial, pas-
ture-based dairy farms and their effect on measurable worm
burdens.
Materials and Methods: The study included 18 commer-
cial, pasture-based dairy farms in south-west Victoria, Aus-
tralia. Faecal egg counts (FEC) were measured in recently
calved cows (<30 days in milk). Fifteen primiparous and 15
multiparous animals were selected based on age (multipa-
rous; 3-4 animals from each age up to 6 years of age) and
calving date. Parasitism of individual animals was assessed
through ultra-sensitive FEC, sensitive to 2.5 eggs per gram
of faeces, in recently calved cows. These animals were sam-
pled for individual FEC and pooled larval cultures (per group
of 15 animals). Farm data such as recent anthelmintic use,
management and cow body condition score (BCS) at sampling
was recorded. Data analysis was undertaken using the Jamovi
statistical package.
Results: Thirty-six per cent of all animals and 46% of
primiparous cows had FEC of greater than 2.5 eggs per gram
(epg). Ostertagi ostertagi was the most commonly identified
gastrointestinal nematode in all age groups and on all farms.
Cooperia oncophora were found to be the most frequent Coo-
peria spp, however C. pectinate or C. punctata were also pres-
ent on some farms.
Multiparous cows in low BCS post calving are more likely
to have a FEC of greater than 5 epg. Herds utilising anthel-
mintic routinely during lactation or at drying off did not have
significantly different mean FEC or proportion of cows with
individual FEC > 0 compared to those which did not utilise an-
thelmintics in lactating cows. Primiparous animals were more
likely to have a reduced FEC post calving if the most recent
anthelmintic was administered less than 50 days prior to calv-
ing.
Conclusion: Measuring the FEC at a sensitivity of 2.5 epg
is an effective indicator that parasites are present in primipa-
rous dairy cattle and may still be useful in assessing the pres-
ence of infection in multiparous animals if BCS is low. Whilst
O. ostertagi is the most pathogenic and important gastrointes-
tinal nematode in south-west Victoria, Cooperia punctata or
C. pectinata are more prevalent than previously reported. In
some herds these parasite species are still abundant in mul-
tiparous animals in moderate levels.

Anthelmintic use in Australian pasture-based systems
during lactation or dry off is not likely to be effective at reduc-
ing the worm burden of cows in early lactation. Further inves-
tigation of timing and value of anthelmintic use in multiparous
cattle is warranted.
Keywords: Dairy, roundworms, FEC, Australia, gastroin-
testinal parasites.
PA-10
Evaluation of the plasma profile and efficacy of eprinomectin
50 mg/mL prolonged-release injection administered at the
base of the ear of cattle in Europe
Dietmar Hamel1, Pascal Dumont2, Michael Kellermann1, Valerie
Kvaternick3, Becky Fankhauser2, Steffen Rehbein1.
Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH, Rohrdorf, Germany;
1
Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA Inc., Athens, Georgia,
2
United States; 3Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA Inc.,, North
Brunswick, New Jersey, United States.
Objectives: To characterize the plasma profile and the
therapeutic and preventive anthelmintic efficacy of eprinomec-
tin 50 mg/mL prolonged-release injection (Eprinomectin-PRI)
when administered at 1 mL/50 kg bodyweight (equivalent to 1
mg eprinomectin/kg) to cattle at the base of the ear in Europe.
Materials and methods: Data from one GLP study were
used to characterize the plasma profile of Eprinomectin-PRI.
In this study, blood was drawn from male and female Simmen-
tal cattle in intervals up to 136 days after Eprinomectin-PRI
administration and the plasma was analyzed for eprinomectin
levels using a HPLC method.
For the characterization of the efficacy, a total of 268 young
cattle were included from four experimentally induced (96 an-
imals) and one naturally acquired (16 animals) nematode in-
fection studies (three controlled studies to confirm the thera-
peutic efficacy against developing and inhibited fourth-stage
larval [L4] and adult nematodes; two controlled persistent ef-
ficacy studies) and one multicenter field efficacy study (four
sites, 156 animals) which were compliant with VICH GCP
and WAAVP and VICH anthelmintic evaluation guidelines.
The studies included cattle of both sexes and several breeds
(Brown Swiss, Hereford, Holstein, Montbéliarde, Pinzgauer,
Simmental and various beef crosses) and were conducted in
France, Germany and the UK.
In each therapeutic efficacy study, cattle were randomly
assigned to groups and received either saline (controls) or
Eprinomectin-PRI (treated) when the parasites were devel-
oping L4, inhibited L4 and/or or adult nematodes. In the two
persistent efficacy studies, cattle were randomly assigned
to controls (saline-treated) or two Eprinomectin-PRI-treated
groups and were challenged daily with a combination of infec-
tive larvae of parasitic nematodes from 80 to 100 or 100 to 120
days after treatment. Percent efficacy was calculated based
on the comparison of geometric mean nematode counts of the
Eprinomectin-PRI-treated vs. control animals established fol-
lowing necropsy.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Parasitism
In the field study, animals were randomized in a 1:3 ra-
tio to serve as saline-treated control or to be administered
Eprinomectin-PRI. Animals were weighed and fecal samples
collected at intervals starting pre-treatment through 120 days
after treatment for fecal egg and lungworm larval counts. At
each site, six sentinel animals grazing in intervals with the
study animals were necropsied to characterize the nematode
challenge of the study animals.
Results: As expected based on the release characteris-
tics from the Eprinomectin-PRI polymer-based formulation,
the eprinomectin plasma profile is characterized by an initial
release peak (observed one to five days post administration)
declining into a ʻtroughʼ region which is followed by a sec-
ond peak around 80 to 100 days post administration and a
subsequent rapid decline. Mean eprinomectin plasma con-
centrations of >1 ng/mL were observed up to 126 days after
Eprinomectin-PRI administration. The basic pharmacokinetic
parameters (Cmax, Tmax, AUC) were comparable for male and
female cattle (P>0.05).
The therapeutic efficacy studies demonstrated Eprinomec-
tin-PRI is efficacious (>90%, P<0.05) against developing L4
Bunostomum phlebotomum, Cooperia oncophora/surnabada,
C. punctata, Dictyocaulus viviparus, Haemonchus contortus,
Nematodirus helvetianus, Oesophagostomum radiatum, Os-
tertagia ostertagi/lyrata, Trichostrongylus axei and T. colub-
riformis; against inhibited L4 Ostertagia spp., Cooperia spp.
and Nematodirus spp.; and against adult B. phlebotomum,
Chabertia ovina, Cooperia curticei, C. oncophora/surnabada,
C. punctata, D. viviparus, H. contortus, Nematodirus battus, N.
helvetianus, O. radiatum, Oesophagostomum venulosum, O.
ostertagi/lyrata, O. leptospicularis, T. axei, T. colubriformis and
Trichuris discolor.
The persistent efficacy studies demonstrated Eprinomec-
tin-PRI prevents the establishment (>90%, P<0.05) of B. phle-
botomum, D. viviparus, H. contortus, O. ostertagi/lyrata and
T. colubriformis for minimum 120 days, and of C. oncophora/
surnabada, C. punctata and O. radiatum for minimum 100
days.
Examination of the sentinel animals for characterization of
the parasite challenge in the field study identified 18 species of
gastrointestinal nematodes, D. viviparus lungworms, and Mon-
iezia spp. cestodes. At all post-treatment sampling intervals,
Eprinomectin-PRI-treated cattle had significantly (P<0.0001)
lower strongylid egg and Dictyocaulus larval counts than the
controls with 98.8% and 100% reduction, respectively, af-
ter 120 days of grazing and Eprinomectin-PRI-treated cattle
gained significantly (P<0.05) more weight than the controls.
Conclusions: Results of the studies consistently demon-
strated that Eprinomectin-PRI can provide high levels of con-
trol of all important nematode parasites of cattle including pre-
vention of infection for up to four months following a single
administration. The unique biphasic plasma profile supports
the efficacy demonstrated in the controlled and field efficacy
studies.
Keywords: Eprinomectin prolonged-release injection, cat-
tle, efficacy, parasitic nematodes, plasma profile.
331
ORAL — Parasitism

PA-11 Conclusion: These results demonstrate the impact of low

Productivity impacts of low to moderate faecal egg counts
in growing cattle: Implications from meta-regression of
faecal egg count and average daily weight gain
Andrew Hancock1, Richard Shephard2, Matthew Playford3, Sally
Oswin4.
Zoetis, Dublin, Republic of Ireland; 2Herd Health, Maffra, Australia;
1
to moderate FEC in growing cattle, thereby highlighting the
impact of the emerging problem of anthelmintic resistance in
cattle and demonstrating the importance of integrated parasite
management.
Shephard, RW, Hancock, AS, Playford, M, and Oswin S.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of impact of strongyle
parasitism on growth rates in young cattle. Under review.

Dawbuts, Camden, Australia; 4Zoetis, Sydney, Australia.

3 Keywords: faecal egg count, gastrointestinal parasitism,
productivity, average daily gain, anthelmintic resistance.

Objectives: Quantify the productivity impacts of low to

moderate faecal egg counts (FEC) in growing cattle using the
results of a meta-analysis and meta-regression of the associa-
tion between FEC and average daily weight gain (ADG).
PA-13
Material and Methods: To quantify the association be-
tween strongyle parasite burden and productivity, results were Attempts to achieve apparent (in the field) nematocidal
used from a meta-analysis and meta-regression of the rela- efficacy while using popular anthelmintics with varying
tionship between differences in FEC and ADG (Shephard et degrees of anthelmintic effectiveness
al., under review). In this process, papers from all continents
Tom Yazwinski, Chris Tucker, Eva Wray.
were included, and 27 publications containing 86 groups and
59 comparison ratios were analysed. This analysis identified Animal Science Department, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
a 0.127 linear reduction in average daily weight gain ratio for Arkansas, United States.
every log10 increase in the difference between comparison and
reference group faecal egg count. For example, compared
Objectives: The studies reported herein were conducted
with an animal with FEC of 1 egg/g, an animal with FEC of 10
to further assess the effectiveness of routinely-applied an-
eggs/g would have 12.7% lower ADG.
thelmintic treatment and then attempt to achieve efficacious
This association was then incorporated into a determin- treatment via means not normally used but which should be
istic model, with several input scenarios of starting FEC over put in place if the debilitating effects of nematode parasitism
two specified growing period durations (Table 1). Average dai- are to be addressed. For more than a decade, it has been
ly weight gains were determined based on the starting FEC, well recognized that there has been the lack of a commer-
compared with a referent FEC of 1 egg/g, and then extrapo- cially-available, single active, broad spectrum, efficacious an-
lated out for the specified growing period. The starting body- thelmintic for use in ruminants. Producers and veterinarians
weight for cattle in all scenarios was set at 100kg. who have recognized this shortfall, have attempted to achieve
Results: effective nematode control in a variety of husbandry (pasture
Table 1. Two scenarios of defined growing period, and de- management, dietary inclusions, grazing management, etc.)
fined target weight, at various starting FEC. and treatment (frequency, dose level, targeting, combinations,
etc.) schemes. Anthelmintic combinations, formulated as such,
represent a logical means of biding our time until a new, effica-
Growing Period 120 days cious compound becomes available. Said combinations have
Starting ADG (kg/day) Final Weight Difference in not become available in the USA, where it is now common that
FEC (kg) Final Weight (kg) combinations be actuated “animal side”; with the effectiveness
(eggs/g) Compared with FEC of some of these treatment practices evaluated in the studies
of 1 eggs/g reported here.
1 1.25 250 - Materials and Methods: In three recent field studies, we
10 1.09 228.5 -21.5 looked at apparent anthelmintic efficacies via the fecal egg
count reduction test (FECRT) in naturally-infected replacement
40 0.99 216.9 -33.1
and stocker cattle; assessing various single and combined an-
80 0.94 211.4 -38.6 thelmintics. In all instances, at least ten animals were placed
Target Weight 250kg in each treatment group, with fecal egg counts recorded for
Starting ADG (kg/day) Days to Reach Difference in Days to all animals on the days of treatment and again 14 days later.
FEC Target Weight Reach Target Weight Coprocultures were conducted on all individual fecal samples
(eggs/g) (d) Compared with FEC with egg counts > 20 eggs per gram (EPG).
of 1 egg/g
Results: In the first field study (utilizing beef steers), inject-
1 1.25 120 - able ivermectin and oral fenbendazole were evaluated at 1X
10 1.09 139 +19 and 2X prescribed dose rates, and as a combination of both at
1X. Neither treatment with ivermectin as the sole anthelmint-
40 0.99 152 +32
ic resulted in a FECR rate of > 47%. All treatment regimens
80 0.94 160 +40 wherein fenbendazole was used resulted in FECR rates >
99%. In the second field study (utilizing replacement heifers),

31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID

332

1X dose rates of moxidectin injectable, moxidectin topical,
ivermectin injectable, doramectin injectable and eprinomec-
tin long-range were evaluated. During the 14-day post-treat-
ment period, fecal egg counts actually rose for ivermectin
treated cattle (42%) and for doramectin treated cattle (9%).
Treatment with moxidectin topical, moxidectin injectable and
eprinomectin long range decreased egg counts by 6, 26 and
56%, respectively. As a follow-up to the second field study and
utilizing cattle from the same herd, oxfendazole and levam-
isole drenches, given separately at labeled dose rate, were
evaluated. Both treatments resulted in FECR rates > 98%.
For the cattle used in the 3 field studies, Cooperia punctata
and C. oncophora accounted for > 90% of the coproculture
larvae harvested on a treatment group basis at both pre- and
post-treatment.
Conclusions: It is generally accepted that FECR rates >
90% are necessary in order for an anthelmintic to be assumed
to be effective. Given the results obtained herein, it is appar-
ent that the avermectins (ivermectin, doramectin, eprinomec-
tin) are not effective at normal or double dose rates, and that
moxidectin is not efficacious at 1X. Fenbendazole, oxfenda-
zole (benzimidazoles) and levamisole (an imidazothiazole) ad-
ministrations are still proving to be efficacious (> 90% FECR);
a guarded assessment of true nematocidal effectiveness giv-
en the potential disparity between egg count and worm count
reductions. Combinations of a macrocyclic lactone (ML) with
a benzimidazole or imidazothiazole also result in acceptable
FECR percentages, most likely due to the non-ML in the com-
bination. The implications of these findings, coupled with the
findings of many others, are that macrocyclic lactone use in
cattle should be augmented with combination. Clearly, gastro-
intestinal nematodiasis is not being effectively abated with ML
use; use that results in: (1), prolonging the deleterious effects
of subclinical infections, (2) perpetuation of the selection and
propagation of ML-resistant parasites, and (3), continued eco-
nomic losses (wasted monies spent on non-efficacious prod-
ucts and continued poor animal health and productivity). At
the present time, we are clearly past the time of routine “ML
remedy” for nematodiasis in herbivores. The looming query at
hand is what we do presently to preserve animal health.
Keywords: Cattle Nematodes, Effective Anthelmintics.
PA-14
Evaluation of four protocols for Haematobia irritans
control and their impact on the productivity of grazing
calves on tropical farms in Veracruz
Fernando Livas Calderón1, Eduardo Ramírez España1, Miguel Angel
Alonso Díaz2, Chandra Bhushan1.
1
Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia. Universidad Nacional
Autonoma de Mexico, Tlapacoyan, Veracruz, Mexico; 2 Facultad de
Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia. Universidad Nacional Autonoma
de Mexico, Tlapacoyan, VER, Mexico.
Objectives: The objective of the study was to compare dif-
ferent chemical control protocols on horn fly infestation (Hae-
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Parasitism
matobia irritans) and their impact on grazing calves weight
gain (Bos taurus x Bos indicus) in humid tropical farms of Ve-
racruz, México.
Materials and methods: The study was conducted for 90
days and was carried out 4 farms located in the north-cen-
tral region of Veracruz, México with a humid warm tropical cli-
mate. A total 100 calves (Bos taurus x Bos indicus cross) on
four farms were included in the study. Farm 1 (T1): 40 calves
(mean weight ± SD 174 kg ± 12.0 kg) were poured- on with
Flumethrin (Bayer) 0.5% plus Ciflutrina 0.5% (1.0 ml/10 kg of
weight) on the back when the average fly infestation exceded
200 flies/animal; Farm 2: 32 calves (mean weight ± SD 109
kg ± 20 kg) were sprayed with 22.47% Cypermethrin (Bayer)
spray (1.0 ml of 22.4 % formulation diluted with 1 litre of water)
when the average fly numbers infestation exceded 200 flies
per animal. Farm 3: 14 calves (mean weight ± SD 126 kg ±
35 kg were tagged with Diazinon (40%) impregnated eartags
and were given mineral salt mixed with oral Tetrachlorvinfos
larvicide (Bayer) at doses of 780.0 mg/animal/day from the
start of trial and pour on application of Flumethrin 0.5% plus
Cyflutrin 0.5% (1.0 ml/10 kg weight) on the back of the animal
when average fly infestation was greater than 200 flies/animal;
Farm 4: 14 calves (mean weight ± SD 134 kg ± 16 kg were
given 25.0 g of mineral salt (Bayer) mixed with an oral Tetra-
chlorvinfos larvicide (97.3%) at a dose of 780.0 mg/animal/day
from the start of trial. The animals were weighed and fly count-
ing were done at the beginning and every 15 days until the
end of the study. The initial weights (IW), final (FW) and daily
weight gains (DWG) of calves and fly infestation (FI) were ana-
lyzed using an ANOVA for completely random designs and the
means were compared with the Tukey test.
Results: The IW of T1 T2, T3 and T4 were 174.0±12.0,
109.0±20.0, 126.0±35.0 and 134 kg ±16.0 respectively, with
no statistical differences between them (P> 0.05). The FW in
T1 was 159.7±18 kg with a weight loss each animal in 90 days
of 14.3±8.0 kg (P<0.05), coinciding with the high level of Hae-
matobia irritans infestation, while the FW in T2, T3 and T4 the
calves had a weight 140.0±40 kg, 160.0±25 kg, 165.0±30 kg
respectively (P> 0.05). The infestation of flies in each calf for
T1, T2, T3 and T4 was 211, 135, 57, 113 respectively, T3 was
statistically different from the other treatments (P<0.05). Daily
weight gains (DWG) were affected by the level of fly infestation
being the highest in T3 with 446.0 g/day/animal (P<0.05) while
in T2 and T4 it was 368.0 and 346.0 g/day. In T1 the aver-
age weight loss/animal during (90 days) was 14.3 kg ± 9.0 %
equivalent to $ 32.5 dollars/calf.
Conclusion: The most effective protocol for the control of
Haematobia irritans was T3, where a combination of eartags,
application of adulticide solution and oral use of a larvicide
resulted in higer weight. From return on investment point (ROI)
of view protocol (T3) offers a higher economic returns for farm-
ers in the tropics.
Keywords: Horn fly, Haematobia irritans, calves, grazing,
weight gains.
333
ORAL — Parasitism
PA-15
Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with Toxoplasma
gondii in breeding ewes from western Mexico
Jaime Alcalá Gómez1, Leticia Medina Esparza1, Teódulo Quezada
Tristán2, Carlos Cruz Vázquez1, Irene Vitela Mendoza1.
Instituto Tecnológico el Llano Aguascalientes, El Llano, Aguascalientes,
1 of Eimeria infection in cattle is generally high (Daugschies A.
Mexico; 2Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes,
Aguascalientes, Mexico.
The objective of the study was to determine the seroprev-
alence and risk factors associated with Toxoplasma gondii
in breeding sheep from western Mexico. 184 blood samples
were collected in six municipalities of the state of Jalisco, Mex-
ico. Sampling was performed by venipuncture of the jugular
vein using tubes without anticoagulant. To obtain serum, blood
samples were centrifuged at 3,000 revolutions per minute for
five minutes. Serum was placed in 1.5 mL polystyrene tubes
and stored at -20°C until use. Diagnosis was made using the
commercial ELISA kit [IDEXX Toxotest Ab Test, IDEXX Lab-
oratories, Inc., Westbrook, Maine], with 100% specificity and
98.9% sensitivity. The manufacturer's recommendations were
followed, diluting the sera 1:400; the plates were read at an
optical density of 450 nanometers and a cut-off point of >
0.30. Determination of positive and negative cases was per-
formed using xChekPlus software [IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.,
Westbrook, Maine]. During the visit to the farms, a survey was
applied with the objective of identifying possible risk factors,
through a logistic regression analysis, calculation of Odds Ra-
tio (OR) and Confidence Intervals (CI). The OR values were
estimated using the independent variables that showed sta-
tistical significance in the multivariate analysis (p < 0.05). The
analysis was carried out using the Statistics and Data Science
(STATA) v. 10.1 software. An overall seroprevalence of 61.96%
(114/184; 95% CI 62.09 – 61.81) was identified. The identified
risk factors were: Poor hygiene conditions (OR 12.5; 95% CI
3.4 - 45.1 P<0.05), Presence of cats (OR 9.5; 95% CI 1.9 -
45.7 P<0.05), Presence of others domestic animals (OR 5.7;
95% CI 1.5 – 21.3 P<0.05), Urban context of the farm (OR 9.5;
95% CI 2.5 – 35.4 P<0.05) Public water supply (OR 5.3; 95%
CI 1.0 – 26.1 P<0.05). In conclusion, T. gondii is an import-
ant parasite in sheep farms in western Mexico, identifying a
high seroprevalence that may be associated with reproductive
losses. The risk factors identified in this study may be useful
to veterinarians in the region, farmers, and health personnel to
reduce exposure to this parasite and the damage it causes to
public and animal health.
Keywords: Parasite, Protozoan, Serology, Sheep Farm,
Mexico.
PA-16
Eimeriosis age dynamics in Italian dairy cattle farms
Marcello Guadagnini1, Alessandra Bazzucchi2, Marco Gobbi2,
Nicoletta D'Avino2.
Elanco Animal Health, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy;
1 2
Istituto
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
334
Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Umbria e delle Marche “Togo
Rosati”(IZSUM), Perugia, Italy.
Objectives: Coccidiosis, or Eimeriosis, is a common clini-
cal or subclinical cause of poor performance, illness, and eco-
nomic loss in dairy calves (Drackley J., 2008). The prevalence
et al., 2005). As the epidemiology of Eimeria is different from
farm to farm due to specific calves raising conditions, proper
coccidiosis’ control requires an understanding of the life cycle
and transmission dynamics (Keeton S. et al., 2018). The aim
of this analysis is to describe Eimeriosis’ age dynamics in Ital-
ian dairy cattle farms by summarizing the results of a coprolog-
ical diagnostic service (Elancox) developed by Elanco Animal
Health together with IZSUM laboratories.
Material and Methods: In this data analysis only dairy
cattle farms with Eimeria confirmed presence have been in-
cluded. Individual fecal samples were collected directly from
the animal.
Samples were grouped into pools and then processed us-
ing FLOTAC® double technique (Cringoli G. et al. 2010) with
sucrose and potassium iodomercurate (Rinaldi) solution. For
Eimeria identification, feces were mixed with 2.5% potassium
bichromate solution and placed in a Roux bottle for 2 weeks,
at 25 °C, away from light. After incubation, samples with more
than 250 Eimeria oocyst per gram of feces (OPG) were exam-
ined at light microscope 400X and identified using morpholog-
ical criteria described in literature.
Additional epidemiological data have been collected: num-
ber of animals on farm, mean age at weaning, mean calves’
age for every pool.
Results: From January to December 2021, 110 farm
samples (395 pools), belonging to 105 farms mainly located
in Northern Italy, have been analyzed. Herd size averaged
586±558 animals; this variable was further divided in classes
for the data analysis: <400 animals (46%; n=50), between 400
and 800 animals (31%; n=34) and >800 animals (23%; n=25).
Each farm sample was composed by 1 to 6 pools. Species
identification was possible in 68% (n=75) of the farm samples.
According to a previous study by these authors (Guadagni-
ni M. et al., 2021), Eimeria oocysts counts above 400 OPG
were considered as high: 77% (n=85) of the samples had at
least one pool with high oocyst count and 45% had 2 or more
high count pools. Overall, 10 species were identified with an E.
zuerni prevalence of 88% (n=66), E. bovis 67%(n=50), E. al-
abamensis 15% (n=11), E. cylindrica 44% (n=33), E. ellypsoi-
dalis 69% (n=52), E. auburnensis 39% (n=29), E. subspherica
16% (n=12), E. wyomingensis 9%(n=7), E. pellita 3%(n=2), E.
brasilensis 3%(n=2).
In 96% (n=72) of the samples at least one pathogenic spe-
cies was found (E. zuerni, E. bovis, E. alabamensis). Age at
sampling varied between 20 and 350 days, with an average of
107±54 days.
Mean age at first detection of a high OPG count was 85±43
days, with 16% of the farm samples having a high OPG only
pre-weaning, 34% only post-weaning and 22% both pre- and
post-weaning. Herds with more than 800 animals had higher
proportion of samples with at least 1 pool with high OPG (<400
animals= 68%; 400-800 animals= 79%; >800 animals=92%;
 ORAL — Parasitism

p=0.04) and a different distribution of high counts over time
(p=0.009) with more pre and post-weaning high counts com-
pared to smaller herds (<400 animals=14%; 400-800 an-
imals=24%; >800 animals=36%) and less pre-weaning only
high counts (<400 animals=12%; 400-800 animals=27%;
>800 animals=8%). Mean age at weaning was not correlated
with the risk of detecting high OPG, and no age pattern was
detected for any single Eimeria species. A positive correlation
was detected between age at weaning and the risk of detect-
ing high OPG pre-weaning(p=0.02).
Conclusion: Very little knowledge is described in literature
regarding Eimeriosis age dynamics, as this aspect seem to be
farm specific and highly correlated with housing and manage-
ment practices. Data presented in this work show that there
is wide age range for Eimeriosis, and pathogenic species
detection is frequent. No Eimeria species pattern by age has
been recognized, but rather relevant differences have been
described among farm size, with bigger farms having high
chance to show high OPG counts and for a longer period. In
summary, data confirm the key role of an accurate sampling
and diagnostics protocol, to determine farm specific Eimeria
dynamics and build a control strategy.
Keywords: Eimeriosis, Age, Italy, Cattle.
PA-17
Effect of Haemonchus contortus  on feed conversion rate,
average daily gain and carcass characteristics of Limousine-
cross calves
Konstantinos Arsenopoulos1, George Fthenakis2, Elias Papadopoulos1.
1
Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, School of Veterinary
Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece;
2
Veterinary Faculty, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece.
sitological examinations, of bodyweight gain and feed conver-
sion ratio and of carcass characteristics.
Results: There were no differences in mean epg counts
between the two groups at the start of the study: 545 for T
and 550 for C group (p=0.87), with 98% and 97% of larvae in
coprocultures identified as Haemonchus contortus. After treat-
ment, mean epg counts from T group were 0 until the end of
the study, whilst those from C group were >540 epg with ≥97%
of larvae in coprocultures identified as  Haemonchus  spp.
throughout the study. Animals in T group had a higher body-
weight gain and a better feed conversion ratio than animals in
C group: 355.5 kg and 3.85 versus 254.5 and 6.07, respec-
tively (p<0.0001 for all comparisons). Moreover, animals in
T group yielded on average heavier carcasses and of better
quality that carcasses yielded by animals in C group: 350.5 kg
of median U class (very good) with slight fat cover (2) versus
254.5 kg of median R class (good) with average fat cover (3),
respectively (p<0.01 for all comparisons).
Conclusions: The study evaluated the effects of Haemon-
chus infection on the production and carcass characteristics of
fattening calves in a long-term assessment. The results indi-
cated that  Haemonchus-infected animals had adverse lower
production characteristics (bodyweight gain and feed conver-
sion ratio) of calves and yield lighter carcasses of inferior qual-
ity than parasite-free animals.
Keywords: Haemonchus contortus, feed conversion rate,
average daily gain, carcass, Limousine breed.

Objectives: The objective of the study was to evaluate the

potential effects of Haemonchus contortus infection on: (a) av-
erage daily gain and feed conversion ratio of Limousin-cross
male calves and (b) carcass yield and carcass quality at
slaughter.
Materials and Methods: The study was conducted for
200 days (April to October 2020) in an intensive-management
fattening farm with Limousin-cross male calves in Central
Greece. The animals (average age: 8.13 months), which had
been naturally infected, were allocated, based on age match-
ing, in two equal (n=12) groups, with animals that underwent
anthelmintic treatment (T group) and remained as untreated
controls (C group). Standard parasitological examinations
were performed throughout the study to monitor the gastroin-
testinal parasitic burden of all animals at weekly intervals. Five
days after group allocation, animals in group T were adminis-
tered ivermectin (dose rate: 200 μg per kg bodyweight) subcu-
taneously. Bodyweight of animals was measured at the start
and the end of the study. Consumption of feed (concentrate
and roughage) by animals of the two groups was calculated
daily. At slaughter, carcasses were weighed and assessed by
means of the standard EU scale for the classification of car-
casses of bovines for conformation class and fat cover class.
Statistical analysis was performed to compare results of para-

31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID

335
ORAL — Public Health, Food Safety and Antimicrobial Resistance
PH-01
Antibiotic resistance and genomic characterization of
Enterobacteriaceae involved in bovine in mastitis using
Nanopore technology
Maria Eugenia Revilla Ruiz1, Carlo De La Serna1, Irene Sanchez1,
R. Matamoros Bosco1, Jose Delgado1, Emilia Wedel1, Manuel Ares1,
Natalia Montero,1, Carlos Martin2, Víctor García2, Bruno González
Zorn1.
Antimicrobial Resistance Unit, Department of Animal Health and
1
VISAVET, Veterinary Faculty, Complutense University of Madrid,
Madrid, Spain; 2Calidad Pascual, Madrid, Spain.
Objectives: Bovine mastitis is the most common and
costly disease in dairy cattle. Among the causative pathogens,
Escherichia coli has recently emerged as one of the most
prevalent causative agents. Mastitis treatment is mainly based
on the use of antibiotics, being one of the main causes for an-
tibiotic use in farms. The use of antibiotics is considered a risk
factor in the emergence of antibiotic resistant bacteria. There-
fore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the presence
of resistance determinants in mastitis pathogens from Spanish
dairy farms.
Materials & Methods: More than 10.000 bacterial isolates
were recovered over the past 10 years from clinical and sub-
clinical mastitis. The causative agents and their antimicrobial
resistance pattern was recorded. Further, mastitis30 isolates
from both clinical and subclinical mastitis from different dairy
farms in Spain collected during 2019. Bacterial identification
was performed using MALDI-TOF (Matrix Assisted Laser De-
sorption/Ionization- Time of flight). Agar disk diffusion method
was used to determine the susceptibility of all isolates. 15 E.
coli isolates were tested for their antimicrobial susceptibility
against fourteen antibiotics via Minimal Inhibitory Concentra-
tion (MIC), based on the criteria of the European Comittee on
Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST). All E. coli iso-
lates were sequenced using Nanopore technology in order to
determine its resistance genes.
Results: Analyzing the trends in antimicrobial resistance
over the last 10 years, we can observe the resistance to ampi-
cillin has been maintained in these 10 years. Ampicillin, amox-
icillin clavulanic and trimethoprim/sulfamide are the antibiotics
with the highest levels of resistance. We observed that the
bacteria that is causing the highest number of clinical mastitis
is E.coli, followed by Streprococcus uberis; on the other hand
Streptococcus uberis and coagulase negative S. aureus are
the ones that cause subclinical mastitits.
E. coli was detected in 15 samples, Klebsiella oxytoca was
detected in 2 samples, Klebsiella pneumonie was detected in
2 samples. The highest antimicrobial resistance was observed
for sulfonamides and tetracyclines due to the presence of the
genes sul1, sul2, sul3, tet(A), tet(B), tet(M), blaTEM-1B, blaTEM-1A,
blaCARB-2. These genes are related with mobile elements that
can favour the dissemination of resistance genes to other bac-
teria.
Conclusions: The main pathogens that cause mastitis are
Streptococcus uberis, coagulase negative Staphylococcus,
Staphylococcus coagulase positive, E. coli and Klebsiella spp.
Staphylococcus coagulase negative, the bacteria with a higher
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
336
incidence. The tendency of antimicrobial resistance, shown in
the different E. coli isolates that cause clinical mastitis, have
slightly grown towards penicilin, cephalosporins and fluoro-
quinolones resistance. This is worrying, as these antibiotics
are of great importance for human health, according to WHO
and the One Health approach. In the collected isolates during
2019 we can observe an extensive resistance to ampicillin
with resistance to to 3rd generation cehalosporins. The genes
encoding these resistances are also found in human isolates.
The levels of resistance found underline the imortance of re-
ducing the use of antibiotics to preserve their action as long
as possible
Keywords: Mastitis, antibiotic resistance, Escherichia coli.
PH-02
Molecular diagnosis of Coxiella burnetii in bovine milk
tank from small rural properties in Brazil
Simone Baldini Lucheis1, Thainá Valente Bertozzo2, Amanda Bezerra
Bertolini3, Suzane Manzini2, Marcela Alexandrino2, Maria Eduarda
Cavalheiro2, Jackieline Sampaio Steinle3, Andresa Xavier Frade
Gomes3, Isabella Neves Aires4, Nassarah Jabur Lot Rodrigues2, Maria
Izabel Merino De Medeiros1, Virgínia Bodelão Richini-Pereira5.
1
Paulista Agency of Agribusiness Technology - APTA, Bauru, Brazil,
Bauru, Brazil; 2Department of Tropical Diseases and Image Diagnosis,
São Paulo State University, Botucatu, Brazil; 3Department of Animal
Production and Preventive Veterinary Medicine, São Paulo State
University, Botucatu, Brazil; 4Department of Biology, São Paulo State
University, Bauru, Brazil; 5Adolfo Lutz Institute, Regional Laboratory
of Bauru, Brazil, Bauru, Brazil.
Objectives: Therefore, the aim of this study was to investi-
gate Coxiella burnetii in milk from cattle from small rural prop-
erties in the state of São Paulo, Brazil.
Material & Methods: Milk samples from bulk tank were
collected from 102 family farms and sent to the laboratory
for molecular testing. DNA extraction from milk samples was
performed and subsequently the polymerase chain reaction
(PCR) was performed using specific primers targeting the C.
burnetii IS1111 transposase region. For the conventional PCR
the set of primers Trans1/Trans2 were used and for the nested
PCR, the primers N3+ and N4- were used. Then, electropho-
resis was performed to estimate possible positive bands, and
negative and positive controls were used.
Results: Of the one hundred and two samples collected,
16 (15.6%) were positive for the bacteria by molecular tests.
Subsequently, these positive samples were sequenced and
compared with sequences in Blastn. The samples demonstrat-
ed a similarity level of 98.4 to 100% with the samples in the
database.
Conclusion: The presence of the bacterium in milk
demonstrates the need for its active research into properties,
as it can cause economic losses and infect humans. In addi-
tion, it demonstrates the circulation of C. burnetii in different
municipalities, showing that the bacteria have the potential to
 ORAL — Public Health, Food Safety and Antimicrobial Resistance
cause outbreaks and cases of Q fever. Therefore, it is neces-
sary that surveillance be carried out continuously so rural pro-
ducers can be made aware and to draw the attention of public
health agencies to the adverse effects of infection by the agent
and contamination of food, such as milk and its by-products,
in addition to contamination environmental, since Coxiella bur-
netii is reported worldwide.
Keywords: Coxiellosis, Q Fever, Bulk tank, Bovine milk,
Molecular diagnosis.
PH-03
Molecular investigation of Toxoplasma gondii in raw bovine
milk from small rural properties in Brazil
Simone Baldini Lucheis1, Suzane Manzini2, Amanda Bezerra
Bertolini3, Thainá Valente Bertozzo2, Marcela Alexandrino2,
Nassarah Jabur Lot Rodrigues2, Maria Eduarda Cavalheiro2,
Jackieline Sampaio Steinle3, Andresa Xavier Frade Gomes3, Isabella
Neves Aires4, Maria Izabel Merino De Medeiros1, Virgínia Bodelão
Richini-Pereira5.
1
Paulista Agency of Agribusiness Technology - APTA, Bauru, Brazil;
2
Department of Tropical Diseases and Image Diagnosis, São Paulo
State University, Botucatu, Brazil; 3Department of Animal Production
and Preventive Veterinary Medicine, São Paulo State University,
Botucatu, Brazil; 4Department of Biology, São Paulo State University,
Bauru, Brazil; 5Adolfo Lutz Institute, Regional Laboratory of Bauru,
Brazil., Bauru, Brazil.
Objectives: This study aimed to investigate Toxoplasma
gondii in 102 samples of bovine milk from expansion tanks,
in small properties located in different cities of the Midwest
region of São Paulo, Brazil.
Material & Methods: Samples from bulk tank milk were
collected from 102 family farms. The collection of milk samples
was approved by the Ethics Committee on the Use of Animals
– CEUA – protocol 1367/2020, of the Botucatu Medical School
- UNESP. The samples were submitted to DNA extraction us-
ing the commercial GFX Genomic Blood Kit (GE Healthcare)
with modifications and subsequently the polymerase chain re-
action (PCR) was performed using specific primers targeting
the Toxoplasma gondii ITS1 region. For the PCR the set of
primers NN1 and NN2 were used and for the nested PCR, the
primers TgNP1 and TgNP2 were used. The amplicons were
subjected to 2% agarose gel electrophoresis, with fragments
amplified at 227 bp.
Results: Thirteen samples (12,74%) were positive for T.
gondii.
Conclusion: The presence of Toxoplasma gondii DNA in
milk demonstrates the need for investigated into properties,
due it can cause economic losses and infect humans. In ad-
dition, it demonstrates that circulation of T. gondii in different
municipalities, showing the potential to cause outbreaks and
cases of Toxoplasmosis. Therefore, it is necessary that sur-
veillance be carried out continuously and to draw the attention
of public health agencies to the adverse effects of infection by
the agent and contamination of food, such as milk and deriv-
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
atives, as well as contamination environmental, since Toxo-
plasma gondii is reported worldwide. Other diagnostic tests,
like bioassay in experimental animals, would be opportune to
validate the infection capacity of these samples.
Keywords: Toxoplasmosis, Bulk tank, Bovine milk, Molec-
ular diagnosis, Zoonosis.
PH-04
Antimicrobial resistance profiles of Escherichia coli from
dairy farms participating on an antimicrobial stewardship
educational training program for farm employees
Adriana Garzon1, Rafael Portillo2, Gregory Habing2, Noelia Silva-
Del-Rio3, Betsy Karle4, Richard Pereira3.
1
Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of
Veterinary Medicine,University of California, Davis, Davis, United
States; 2Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of
Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, United
States; 3Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School
of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, United
States; 4Cooperative Extension, Division of Agriculture and Natural
Resources, University of California, Davis, Orland, United States.
Objective: The increase in antimicrobial resistant (AMR)
bacteria is one of the biggest public health threats of our time.
Although current AMR is monitored through reports such as
the U.S. National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System
integrated report, there is a knowledge gap for on-farm AMR
monitoring data. Our goal was to evaluate the antimicrobial
resistance of Escherichia coli (EC) from pooled fecal samples
before and after implementation of an on-farm animal health
and diagnostic training program for farm workers in antimicro-
bial stewardship in adult dairy cattle.
Methods: Pooled fecal pat samples were collected from
the hospital pen (cows treated with antimicrobials with a milk
withhold period), the fresh pen (1 to 3 DIM) and the mid-lacta-
tion pens (90 to 150 DIM) in conventional dairies in CA (n=9)
and OH (n=9). Fecal samples were collected as part of a
larger study with a quasi-experimental design that assigned
farms to training intervention group (TG; 9 per state) or control
group (CG; 3 per state). For the TG, farm worker(s) identified
as having the task of diagnosis and treatment of adult cows
on the farm participated in training program on antimicrobial
stewardship practices. Samples were collected at enrollment
and three months after completing the intervention. For each
pooled sample, EC was isolated. Standard culture, antimicro-
bial sensitivity testing using the broth microdilution approach,
and categorization of isolates as susceptible, intermediate, or
resistant was used. Logistic regression models were used to
evaluate the association between EC antimicrobial resistance
profiles and farm-level factors.
Results: A total of 504 EC isolates were tested for anti-
microbial susceptibility. All isolates were susceptible to azith-
romycin and sulfisoxazole. The antimicrobial resistance more
commonly found was against tetracycline (TET, 18.3%), strep-
tomycin (STR, 16.3%), ceftriaxone (AXO, 10.7%) and ampicil-
337
ORAL — Public Health, Food Safety and Antimicrobial Resistance
lin (AMP, 11.1%). Resistance to ceftiofur (XNL) was only found
in 1.98% of the isolates, one of the most commonly used drug
on the study farms to treat sick cows, while 15.3% isolates
were classified as multidrug resistant. Among the most com-
monly found MDR patterns were streptomycin-ceftriaxone-tet-
racycline (n=5), streptomycin-chloramphenicol-tetracycline
(n=5), and streptomycin-ampicillin-chloramphenicol-tetracy-
cline (n=4).
No significant effect on the proportion of AMR isolates was
found associated to the intervention compared to the control
farms. However, the univariate analysis showed that samples
from OH had a higher proportion of AMR isolates to nalidix-
ic acid (NAL) and TET, while samples from CA had a higher
proportion of isolates resistant to XNL. There was also a high-
er proportion of EC isolates resistant to STR, XNL and TET
from the enrollment visit compared to the visit after interven-
tion was completed. Finally, samples from the fresh cow pen
had significantly higher proportion of EC isolates resistant to
cefoxitin (FOX), STR, AMP and NAL, while samples from the
hospital and mid-lactation pens had higher proportion of iso-
lates resistant to XNL and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (AUG),
respectively.
Conclusion: Differences on the antimicrobial resistance
profiles of Escherichia coli from dairy farms included in this
project were detected, and although, there was not a signif-
icant difference in the AMR profiles after the educational in-
tervention, this supports the need for more research to get a
better understanding of the resistome and its changes over
time on dairy farms.
Keywords: Antimicrobial resistance, education, cattle.
PH-05
ESBL resistance genes in fecal E. coli of calves fed waste
milk with antimicrobial residues
Manuel Cardoso1, Inês Prata1, Inês Rebelo2, Telmo Nunes1, Carla
Carneiro1, Ricardo Bexiga1.
Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, ULisboa, CIISA, Lisboa, Portugal;
1
Proleite, Oliveira de Azeméis, Portugal.
2
Objectives: Beta-lactamases are enzymes capable of
hydrolysing β-lactam antimicrobials, conferring resistance to
Gram-negative bacteria. Among β–lactamase enzymes, the
extended-spectrum β–lactamase enzymes (ESBL) provide re-
sistance to a wide variety of β-lactam antimicrobials including
penicillin and 2nd, 3rd and 4th generation cephalosporins. In-
fections caused by Gram-negative bacteria harbouring these
enzymes are challenging to treat and have increased in inci-
dence in the human as well as in the dairy cattle population.
Feeding waste milk to calves, a mixture of excess colostrum,
transition milk and non-saleable milk from cows that are being
treated with antimicrobials, has been observed to lead to in-
creased antimicrobial resistance in faecal isolates of calves.
This study aimed to evaluate the association between feed-
ing waste milk to calves and the occurrence of antimicrobial
multi-resistance by extended spectrum β-lactamase enzymes
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
338
through determining ESBL production by E. coli isolates from
32 dairy farms.
Material & Methods: In each farm, fecal samples were
collected from the rectum of five healthy calves in the first
month of life and pooled into a single container. Five isolates
from each sample were selected and confirmed to be E. coli
by amplification of the 16S gene. ESBL production was deter-
mined phenotypically on 148 isolates from 31 farms by use
of antimicrobial susceptibility testing to cefotaxime, ceftazidine
both alone and after impregnation with clavulanate. Genotypic
confirmation of ESBL production was performed by PCR for
the genes blaCTX-M-1, -2, -8, -9 and blaCMY-2. A question-
naire was performed regarding potential risk factors for the
emergence of antimicrobial resistance. A univariate analysis
was performed to evaluate which risk factors should be in-
cluded in a multivariable logistic regression. Statistical anal-
ysis was performed with the software R®, version 3.5.1, with
p<0.05 considered statistically significant.
Results: Phenotypically 40 E. coli isolates from 15 farms
(48.4%) were found, whereas genotypically 55 isolates from
20 farms (64.5%) were found. The questionnaire revealed
that 28 out of 31 farms (90.3%) fed waste milk to calves. On
all of the farms that had this practice, waste milk comprised
milk from animals being treated with antimicrobials and milk
originating from animals during the withdrawal period for an-
timicrobial treatment. For 17 of the farms, waste milk also in-
cluded milk from animals with high somatic cell counts. On 7 of
the 31 farms an antimicrobial was added to milk, either waste
milk or milk replacer, in a preventative way. The questionnaire
also revealed that the number of different intramammary tubes
used as treatment options for mastitis in the past year varied
from 1 to 7. The multivariate analysis identified feeding milk
with preventative antimicrobial to calves as the main risk factor
with this routine leading to a 2.5 times higher risk of calves in
their first month of life shedding ESBL-producing E. coli. An-
other risk factor identified by our study was the use of a higher
number of antimicrobial treatment options for the treatment of
mastitis, which led to a 1.3 times higher risk of calves shedding
ESBL-producing E. coli on those farms. In our study, feeding
waste milk to calves was not significantly associated with an
increased risk for the presence of E. coli producing ESBL in
the faeces of calves in the first month of life, although farms
that had this routine, had a 5.2 higher risk of ESBL-producing
E. coli.
Conclusion: Feeding waste milk to calves was a very
common practice on the participating farms, with it including
milk from animals under antibiotic treatment, during the with-
drawal period for antibiotic treatments and milk from animals
with subclinical mastitis. Some farmers also added antibiotic
to waste milk to prevent neonatal calf diarrhea, a procedure
that increased significantly the likelihood of calves in their first
month of life shedding ESBL-producing E. coli in their feces.
The other risk factor that significantly contributed to this out-
come was the use of a higher number of intramammary antibi-
otic options to treat mastitis.
Keywords: ESBL, waste milk, calves, antimicrobial resis-
tance.
 ORAL — Public Health, Food Safety and Antimicrobial Resistance
PH-06
An observational cohort study on antimicrobial usage in
dairy farms from Québec, Canada
Hélène Lardé, David Francoz, Marie Archambault, Jonathan Massé,
Jean-Philippe Roy, Simon Dufour.
Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Canada.
Quantification of antimicrobial use (AMU) is crucial to
measure the impact of intervention programs targeting a more
judicious use, to determine associations between usage and
resistance, to compare populations and to promote bench-
marking.
Objectives: The objective of the study was to describe
quantitatively AMU in Québec dairy herds over one year as
a whole, then by administration route (intramammary, inject-
able, oral, intrauterine), and by category based on importance
in human medicine according to Health Canada (4 categor-
ies: Category I “Very high importance”, II “High importance”, III
“Medium importance”, and IV “Low importance”). A secondary
objective was to evaluate the effect of herd size, production
level, and disease level on AMU.
Material & Methods: Data were obtained from 101 dairy
farms randomly selected in 3 regions of the Québec prov-
ince of Canada (Montérégie, Estrie, Centre-du-Québec) by
collecting and recording all empty drug packaging between
spring 2017 and spring 2018 (garbage can audit method).
The quantity of medicated feed sold during the same period
was obtained directly from the feed mills. Antimicrobial usage
was reported in number of defined course doses (DCDbovCA)
per 100 cows-year (calculated as a whole, by administration
route, and by category). The intramammary route was separ-
ated between antimicrobial agents (AMs) administered during
lactation for treatment of mastitis and AMs administrated at the
time of drying-off. The oral route was separated between AMs
administered as individual treatments (boluses, oral solutions,
etc.) and AMs administered in the feed. The participating dairy
producers completed an in-person questionnaire between
January and March 2018. The number of dairy cattle in the
farm was collected by age group, as well as the amount of
milk produced. Questions were asked regarding number of
animals experiencing some common diseases during the last
12 months by age group. Effect of herd size, production level,
and diseases level on AMU was evaluated by using negative
binomial regression models. A predictive model was also built
to predict how the level of infectious diseases on a farm could
explain its AMU.
Results: The average size of the population was 66.5
cows per farm (range 20-150); 2/101 farms were organic.
Overall, a median of 429 DCDbovCA /100 cows-year was
used. The most frequent administration was through the
intramammary route: median of 161 and 67 DCDbovCA
/100 cows-year for lactating and dry cow formulations re-
spectively. A median of 47 and 12 DCDbovCA /100 cows-
year was observed for the injectable route and the feed route
respectively. The intrauterine route and the oral individual
route (other than in the feed) were infrequently used (median
of 0 DCDbovCA /100 cows-year). Category II antimicrobials
were the most frequently used (median 181 DCDbovCA /100
cows-year), followed by categories III, I, and IV antimicrob-
ials (median of 79, 62, and 23 DCDbovCA /100 cows-year
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
respectively). Category I AMs were more frequently used
as intramammary than injectable formulations. A positive
and linear association was identified between herd size and
global AMU. A positive and non-linear association was iden-
tified between diseases level and global AMU. Incidence of
diseases only explained 31% of the global AMU, and 2.2% of
Category I AMU.
Conclusion: This study provides a detailed description
of the AMU over one year on Québec dairy farms. Oral and
intrauterine formulations were infrequently collected and other
methods of data collection should be considered to obtain a
more complete picture of AMU for these formulations. The
technique based on garbage can audit could be imperfect and
incomplete for reporting on AMU in dairy farms; other methods
such as using veterinary prescriptions (or invoices) or treat-
ment records could be used in Québec to estimate the AMU.
This study highlights that AMU is positively associated with
herd size (mainly for Category IV AMs) and with level of dis-
eases.
Keywords: Antimicrobial usage, dairy cattle, defined
course dose, garbage can audit, quantification.
PH-07
Salmonella eradication on 57 dairy cattle farms in Finland
Olli Ruoho1, Leena Seppä-Lassila2, Miia Kontturi2.
Animal Health ETT, Seinäjoki, Finland; 2Finnish Food Authority,
1
Helsinki, Finland.
Objectives: Finland has a salmonella control program that
covers cattle, pigs, and most of the poultry species. The aim of
the control program is to maintain Salmonella prevalence of all
serotypes below 1% in the food chain and thus reduce the risk
of human salmonellosis. If Salmonella is detected on a farm
or at the slaughterhouse sampling, it must be eradicated from
the farm. On a dairy farm eradication includes e.g., sampling
of animals and the environment, eliminating the possible infec-
tion source, and thorough cleaning and disinfection. For the
present group insurances through dairies have been available
for farms to partly cover the costs of eradication.
Our aim was to investigate Salmonella eradications on
dairy farms, describe the principles of the eradication process
and to clear out the most likely cause of the infection. Based
on these findings, it would be easier to advice the prevention
and guide the eradication of Salmonella on dairy herds.
Materials and methods: Our data included 57 dairy
herds with Salmonella infection and an eradication that an ex-
perienced veterinary advisor (Dipl. ECBHM Olli Ruoho) had
planned and guided during 2009–2019. These dairy herds
had an average 76 milking cows (range 17-260). The most
common serotypes detected were S. Typhimurium (n=30),
S. Enteritidis (n=11) and S. Altona (n=4). We calculated the
length of the eradication from the start and end date of the
official restrictions of the farm prescribed by legislation. Based
on environmental and animal sampling at the beginning of the
eradication process, we defined the Salmonella infection of
339
ORAL — Public Health, Food Safety and Antimicrobial Resistance
the farm as non-existent, restricted, average, or vast.
Results: The eradication lasted 21-533 days (mean 114,
median 90). It lasted longer (52-533 days, mean 156, median
120) on 31 farms (54%) where the infection was considered as
average or vast at the beginning. Other typical reasons for a
prolonged eradication were: if the source of the infection was
undetected at the beginning, if salmonella positive animals
were not culled in time, if cleaning and disinfection procedures
were inadequate or lack of labour leading to exhaustion. On 46
farms (81%) the source of the infection was birds or rodents,
and in most of these cases birds. Occasionally, the possible
source was Salmonella positive animals, humans, or contam-
inated feed. However, the management of salmonella risk in
commercial feeds is at a high level in Finland.
Conclusions: Eradicating Salmonella from a dairy farm
is possible. However, proper planning is essential as well as
working systematically throughout the eradication process.
Furthermore, a competent supervision and guidance during
the process are important as well as having enough skilled
labour on the farm. Nevertheless, the focus should be on Sal-
monella prevention by improving the on-farm biosecurity like
protecting the barn and especially feed storage from birds in
a way that there will be no easy access to feed. This includes
furnishing the barns with anti-bird nets, covering all the feed
storage, maintaining the barn and farm area tidy that uneaten
feed is taken away regularly, and enhancing the overall pest
control. Moreover, the whole sector should discuss the means
how to reduce the risk of spreading Salmonella infections from
dairy farms to calf rearing units and thereby to beef production
chain since all calves can not be tested against Salmonella.
Keywords: Salmonella eradication, dairy cattle,
biosecurity.
PH-08
Fractionation of milk for trace analysis of contaminants
and residues
Jan Steils1, Christian Baumgartner1, Klaus Schöne2.
1
PureMilk analytical GmbH, Pörnbach, Germany; 2Sartorius Lab
Instruments GmbH & Co. KG, Göttingen, Germany.
Objectives: Contamination of dairy products with deter-
gents and disinfectants and their degradation products such
as chlorate and perchlorate raise challenges for stakeholders
in the dairy food chain, as these substances are a potential
threat for food safety. The aim of this work was to develop a
passive sample preparation for raw milk, apart from the well-
known Quechers or Quppe methods, which does not require
any additional extraction agents and enables a cost-effective
just-in-time analysis of milk raw materials for chlorate and per-
chlorate.
Materials and Methods: Unprocessed raw milk was
separated into the phases “water”, “fat” and “protein”, using
a fractionation unit (FraMiTrACR C/PC®). The separation by
FraMiTrACR C/PC® requires the use of a standard table top
centrifuge. Different sample volumes were processed, both
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
340
10  mL raw milk using a fixed angle rotor at 30 minutes and
2,000 x g and 5 mL raw milk using a "swing out" rotor at 30
minutes and 4,000 x g. For both settings, half of the volume of
feed added was recovered as the water phase. For the anal-
ysis of the water phase, an ion chromatography system was
used, the 930 Compact IC Flex System with Dosin gradient
technology for the determination of anions after sequential
suppression and conductivity detection (IC-CD). For each
determination, 0.25 mL of water phase was injected into the
analyser. At the beginning of the development, the anion ma-
trix in the water phase was collected from milk samples that
were free of chlorate and perchlorate. To improve the detec-
tion limit, the characteristic anion matrix of the water phase
has been subtracted when evaluating the results. The chlorate
and perchlorate content was determined using spiked sam-
ples in standard series and also in native samples. In order
to obtain comparability with previously used methods, the in-
vestigated raw milk samples were simultaneously analysed in
a contract laboratory using the modified Quppe method and
liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry cou-
pling (LC-MS/MS).
Results: In direct comparison to well-established sample
preparation methods, such as Quechers and Quppe, there is a
significant saving in working time and thus personell costs due
to the passive sample preparation using a table top centrifuge.
In addition, the complete elimination of extraction solvents or
other additives leads to further cost savings in the laboratory
process chain, simultaneously excluding the risk of unwanted
contamination. In the water phase, detection limit of 0.003 mg/
kg chlorate and perchlorate could be achieved by using IC-
CD. In the analysis of the water phase by means of LC-MS/MS
detection limit of down to 0.001 mg/kg chlorate and perchlo-
rate could be achieved.
Conclusions: The application of the fractionation unit
(FraMiTrACR C/PC) shows that it is possible to determine
defined analytes directly from the water phase of the milk
without further preparation. The advantage of this method is
that milk samples are prepared in one step, passively and
without further additives. This leads not only to a reduction
in personnel costs by reducing the active working time of the
laboratory staff, but also to a reduction in the costs of operat-
ing resources, stock-keeping and stock management of oper-
ating resources. Sample contamination is prevented as well,
as the sample only needs to be filled into the fractionation unit
(FraMiTrACR C/PC) and then closed. The risk of carry-over or
contamination within the laboratory can thus be reduced to a
minimum. With the method described, it will also be possible,
depending on the analytical equipment available, to analyse
raw milk just-in-time before processing. It should be empha-
sised that sample preparation and subsequent analysis using
a comparatively low-cost method, IC-CD, led to comparable
results to sample preparation using the modified Quppe meth-
od and analysis by LC-MS/MS. In the methods compared, the
limit of quantification was 0.01 mg/kg chlorate and perchlorate
and the detection limit was below 0.01 mg/kg chlorate and per-
chlorate. This also shows that the sample preparation method
can be used universally for many other analytical methods.
Basically, the fractionation unit (FraMiTrACR C/PC) opens up
new possibilities for residue and contaminant determination
in dairy products. More analytes will be investigated with this
method in further studies.
 ORAL — Public Health, Food Safety and Antimicrobial Resistance
Keywords: Fractionation, milk, residues, chlorate, per-
chlorate.
PH-09
Knowledge, behaviours and attitudes of Scottish dairy
farmers towards antimicrobial use
Elena Borelli, Kathryn Ellis, Martin Tomlinson, Emily Hotchkiss.
University of Glasgow - Veterinary School, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
Objectives: Scientific evidence demonstrates that antimi-
crobial usage (AMU) in animals may contribute to the emer-
gence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). In the UK, dairy
farmers can administer antibiotics without the veterinarian be-
ing present and thus, they play a crucial role in the decision
making around AMU. Further understanding of how antimicro-
bials are used in dairy production as well as stakeholder be-
liefs relating to their use is essential to help ensure responsible
AMU. To the authors’ knowledge, no work to date has been
carried out exploring these aspects in the Scottish dairy sec-
tor. Therefore, the aims of this study were: to identify the fac-
tors influencing knowledge, AMU and attitudes towards AMR
and to determine the barriers and motivators to uptake of best
practice recommendations.
Materials and Methods: To address this study, a ques-
tionnaire was designed for administration via an online survey;
the target population was Scottish dairy farmers (n=840). To
inform the design of the questionnaire, a focus group and a
workshop were held with representatives of the industry with
the aim of eliciting free discussion around the topics of AMU
and AMR. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the focus
group was held via Zoom, and participants (n=5) were a con-
venience sample of farmers. The workshop was part of an on-
line agricultural event (Agriscot).
The questionnaire was structured in four main sections.
Section One explored farmers’ awareness and understanding
of antibiotics and AMR. Section Two contained some ques-
tions to identify factors that may influence farmers’ AMU, as
well as the main barriers and drivers for responsible usage. In
addition, some specific scenarios of dairy cows’ diseases were
posed to assess farmers’ behaviour. Section Three investigat-
ed farmers’ attitudes towards AMR and AMU best practices.
Section Four covered demographic information of the partici-
pants and the farm.
A pilot study was performed using a preselected group
of farmers (n=5) to test survey duration and suitability of the
questions to the target population. The questionnaire was
launched online and was open from May to September 2021.
The survey URL was promoted via multiple ways (farming
press, social media, veterinary practices, and milk buyers).
Data analysis was performed using R Core Team
(2020). Responses were analysed using descriptive statistics.
Two outcomes were explored in initial analyses – participant
knowledge and AMU. These were derived scales, determined
by answers provided in sections One and Two. Univariable
logistic regression models were established to explore the as-
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
sociation of knowledge and AMU with demographic character-
istics, attitudes and other various factors such as frequency of
contact with the veterinarian and implementation of AMU best
practices. Significant explanatory variables from univariable
analysis (P<0.2) were included in multivariable logistic regres-
sion models for the two outcomes.
Results: The survey was completed by 61 respondents
(7.3 % of the total target population). Overall, farmers ex-
pressed good understanding of the phrase antimicrobial resis-
tance (AMR) however, 31 % thought antibiotics were effective
against viruses and 25 % against parasites. The vast major-
ity (90%) had implemented practices to reduce AMU, such
as written treatment protocols and selective dry cow therapy.
Additionally, 70 % expected a further reduction in AMU in the
future. Limited knowledge and poor facilities were reported as
the main barriers. It was found that veterinarians are usually
not consulted before treating animals with antibiotics, even if
they are regarded as the most influencing and reliable source
of information. The majority of farmers (89 %) thought it was
important to reduce AMU on farm; however, only half of them
were concerned about AMR in the dairy sector. Future work
will look at associations between outcomes, such as farmer
knowledge and AMU, and selected explanatory variables.
Conclusions: For dairy practitioners, understanding farm-
ers behaviour and attitudes is essential to engage with them
towards antimicrobial usage reduction. These preliminary re-
sults suggest farmers’ need for more training and support for
responsible AMU and veterinary practitioners have a key role
on this. Farmers generally agreed on the importance to reduce
AMU; however, they often do not perceive AMR as a current
threat to their own farm. It is important for veterinarians to con-
sider the different levels of attitude and awareness of farmers
in order to implement tailored interventions.
Keywords: Antimicrobial resistance, dairy, farmer be-
haviour.
PH-10
Antimicrobials resistance in Escherichia coli and
Enterococcus fecalis commensal bacteria in north-eastern
Italian dairy farms
Matteo Cornaggia1, Elena Mazzolini2, Luca Palazzolo3, Benedetta
Cordioli3, Alessia Rizzardi3, Serena Bottin3, Giulia Zarpellon3, Angela
Guolo3, Tiziana Ferro3, Cosetta Bacchin3, Luca Bano3.
1
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Padova - Istituto
Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia ed Emilia-Romagna,
Brescia, Italy; 2Istituto zooprofilattico sperimentale delle Venezie,
Padova, Italy; 3Istituto zooprofilattico sperimentale delle Venezie,
Treviso, Italy.
Objectives: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is of public
and animal health concern worldwide.
Aim of our work was to identify an AMR indicator to clas-
sify healthy dairy herd according to antimicrobial susceptibility
(AST) in indicator bacteria Escherichia coli (EC) and Entero-
coccus fecalis (ENT) towards an harmonized list of antimicro-
341
ORAL — Public Health, Food Safety and Antimicrobial Resistance

bials as suggested (European Food Safety Agency (EFSA), ue (ECOFFs;www.eucast.org/mic_distributions_and_ecoffs/).

2019). The overall farm health condition or prevalence of an-
imal diseases were not considered yet the animal category
(whether milking cows (VL), dry cows (VA), heifers (M) and
calves (V)) of the isolate origin was analyzed to identify within
heard different source of AMR.
Materials and methods: Thirty-three dairy farms were en-
rolled in this study, caring that both small and larger farms locat-
ed in foothills or ground level of the Veneto and Friuli-Venezia
Giulia regions of Italy were selected. According to preliminary
analysis (data not shown in this paper) in each herd the follow-
ing sampling protocol was applied: individual fecal samples
were collected VL, VA, M and V to isolate 20 Escherichia coli
(EC) and 10 Enterococcus fecalis (ENT). Isolates were AST
with broth microdilution (CLSI VET01, 2020) using a commer-
cial kit EUVSEC3 and EUVENC (ThermoFisher, US) to deter-
mine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). MICs were
interpreted according to European Committee on Antimicrobi-
al Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) epidemiological cut-off val-
Isolates displaying MICs above the ECOFF were classified as
non-wild type. Antimicrobial resistance index (ARI) was cal-
culated for each bacterial isolate by dividing the number of
resistances by the number of antimicrobials tested to provide
descriptive statistics of the AMR herd indicator as reported
(Agnoletti, 2018).
Results: 620 EC isolates and 229 ENT were AST as-
sessed. The percentage of non-wild strains for each animal
categories for each active ingredient are summarized in ta-
ble 1 and table 2 for EC and ENT, respectively. EC isolates
showed high proportions of non-wild phenotype towards sul-
famethoxazole and tetracycline. In calves EC non-wild pheno-
types are largely diffuses when compared to the other animal
categories. Among ENT, non-wild phenotypes were mainly ob-
served for gentamicin (dry cows), erythromycin (calves) and
tetracycline (calves).
The herd level indicator ARI ranged from 0 to 0.14 (mean
0.08) for E. coli towards 13 antimicrobials tested (presumptive

Tables.
Antimicrobial A L M V
Sulfamethoxazole 35/68(51.5) 131/254(51.6) 69/160(43.1) 103/138(74.6)
Trimethoprim 2/68(2.9) 5/254(2) 6/160(3.8) 29/138(21)
Ciprofloxacin 1/68(1.5) 2/254(0.8) 3/160(1.9) 28/138(20.3)
Tetracycline 3/68(4.4) 14/254(5.5) 15/160(9.4) 71/138(51.4)
Meropenem 0/68(0) 0/254(0) 0/160(0) 0/138(0)
Nalidixic Acid 1/68(1.5) 0/254(0) 3/160(1.9) 24/138(17.4)
Azithromycin 0/68(0) 0/254(0) 0/160(0) 0/138(0)
Cefotaxime 1/68(1.5) 4/254(1.6) 0/160(0) 8/138(5.8)
Chloramphenicol 2/68(2.9) 3/254(1.2) 1/160(0.6) 19/138(13.8)
Tigecycline 0/68(0) 0/254(0) 0/160(0) 0/138(0)
Ceftazidime 0/68(0) 0/254(0) 2/160(1.2) 2/138(1.4)
Colistin 0/68(0) 1/254(0.4) 0/160(0) 0/138(0)
Ampicillin 4/68(5.9) 8/254(3.1) 8/160(5) 53/138(38.4)
Gentamicin 0/68(0) 0/254(0) 1/160(0.6) 6/138(4.3)
Presumptive_ESBL 1/68(1) 4/254(2) 2/160(1) 8/138(6)
Table 1. Number of non-wild strains of E. coli divided for animal category.

Antimicrobial A L M V
Gentamicin 26/33(79) 40/73(55 8/16(50 60/107(56)
Chloramphenicol 0/33(0) 5/73(7) 0/16(0) 21/107(20)
Ampicillin 0/33(0) 1/73(1) 0/16(0) 1/107(1)
Vancomycin 0/33(0) 0/73(0) 0/16(0) 0/107(0)
Teicoplanin 0/33(0) 0/73(0) 0/16(0) 0/107(0)
Erythromycin 10/33(30) 15/73(21) 3/16(19) 38/107(36)
Quinuopristin_Dalfopristin 4/33(12) 9/73(12) 2/16(13) 9/107(8)
Tetracycline 14/33(42) 19/73(26) 2/16(13) 73/107(68)
Tigecycline 0/33(0) 0/73(0) 0/16(0) 0/107(0)
Linezolid 0/33(0) 2/73(3) 0/16(0) 0/107(0)
Daptomycin 3/33(9) 4/73(5) 0/16(0) 3/107(3)
Ciprofloxacin 0/33(0) 0/73(0) 0/16(0) 2/107(2)
Table 2. Number of non-wild strains of E. fecalis divided by animal category.

31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID

342
 ORAL — Public Health, Food Safety and Antimicrobial Resistance
ESBL were defined as being not wild for at least one among
cefotaxime and ceftazidime) and 0.04 to 0.29 (mean 0.13) for
E. faecalis towards (12 antimicrobials tested).
Conclusions: Microbiologic resistance against molecules
widely employed in Veterinary Medicine (sulphonamides, tet-
racyclines, aminoglycosides, macrolides, and phenicols) was
detected in the sampled dairy herds. Yet with the exception
of fluorchinolones, EC isolated showed low levels of microbi-
ologic resistance against antimicrobials classified of highest
critical importance for human therapy (hstCIA; WHO, 2020).
However, enterococci displayed high levels of microbiologic
resistance towards erythromycin and gentamycin. Compared
to adult bovines, including heifers 6 months aged, isolates
from calves were keener to microbiologic resistance, which
may be attributable to inappropriate farmer behavior of feeding
calves with waste milk from cows treated with antimicrobials.
Calves must be considered when monitoring AMR to avoid un-
derestimate data.
References:
Agnoletti F, et al. Longitudinal study on antimicrobial con-
sumption and resistance in rabbit farming. International Jour-
nal of Antimicrobial Agents 2018.
Keywords: Antimicrobial resistance, dairy cows, calves.
PH-11
Critically important antimicrobials are not needed for
treating clinical mastitis in lactating dairy cows
Diego Nobrega, Syed Naqvi, Herman Barkema.
University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.
Objectives: There is ongoing debate regarding whether
critically important antimicrobials (CIAs) should be used to
treat infections in food-producing animals. Mastitis accounts
for majority of worldwide antimicrobial usage (including CIAs)
in dairy cattle. Objectives of this network meta-analysis
(NMAs) were to evaluate whether critically important antimi-
crobials (CIAs) were necessary to treat non-severe clinical
mastitis (CM) caused by the most commonly isolated bacterial
pathogens worldwide. The literature reporting on bacteriolog-
ical cure (BC) rates of antimicrobials used to treat lactating
dairy cows with non-severe CM was analyzed using a set of
networks.
Material and Methods: On March 30, 2019, the data-
bases CAB Abstracts, Web of Science (all databases), MED-
LINE, Scopus (Elsevier) and PubMed were screened for po-
tentially relevant articles reporting on pathogen-specific BC
rates of antimicrobials for treating non-severe CM in lactating
dairy cows. Two reviewers reviewed all titles and abstracts
independently. Prior to analyses, categories of antimicrobial
treatment protocols, supportive therapy and pathogens were
generated. Antimicrobial treatment protocols were grouped
using categories defined a priori based on the WHO 5th revi-
sion of Critically Important Antimicrobials for Human Medicine
and route of administration (systemic and intramammary). A
frequentist approach using generalized linear models applied
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
using graph theory was used to develop networks. Five NMAs
were carried out according to most commonly reported bac-
teria causing CM worldwide (Staphylococcus aureus, Esche-
richia coli, non-aureus staphylococci, environmental strepto-
cocci and Klebsiella spp.). Potential sources of heterogeneity
and inconsistency, including use of supportive therapy, were
assessed using sensitivity analysis.
Results: Our search strategy yielded 9,173 records, from
which 30 studies were included. Out of 30 studies, 25 were
randomized controlled trials. Staphylococcus aureus was
the most frequently studied pathogen (22 studies), where-
as relatively few studies (n = 8) reported on BC of Klebsiella
spp. There was no evidence supporting the need of CIAs for
treating non-severe CM caused by most commonly reported
bacteria worldwide; no protocol including the use of CIAs had
superior BC rates of non-severe CM than protocols relying on
non-CIAs. Additionally, there was no evidence to support use
of antimicrobials for treating non-severe CM caused by Kleb-
siella spp. or E. coli, as the probability of BC was similar for
treated versus untreated cows.
Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first systemat-
ic review comparing efficacy of CIAs and non-CIAs for treating
non-severe CM caused by the 5 most commonly isolated bo-
vine mastitis pathogens worldwide. Antimicrobials other than
CIAs were equally effective to treat non-severe CM in dairy
cows. In addition, antimicrobial treatments did not alter BC
rates of non-severe CM caused by the Gram-negative bacteria
E. coli and Klebsiella spp., although the relatively low number
of studies reporting on BC rates of CM caused by Klebsiel-
la spp. warrants further investigation. Due to the comparable
efficacy of CIAs and non-CIAs and assuming all other vari-
ables impacting safety, choice and use of antimicrobials are
equal, no adverse effects in terms of animal health and wel-
fare should be expected by ceasing use of CIAs for treating
non-severe CM in dairy cattle. Findings from this study will be
important to inform public strategies aimed to promote antimi-
crobial stewardship in veterinary medicine.
Keywords: Antimicrobial resistance, antimicrobial use,
critically important antimicrobials, dairy cows, mastitis.
PH-12
Longitudinal study of fecal commensal Gram-negative
bacteria resistant to critically important antimicrobials
found in healthy lactating dairy cattle on three farms from
Île-de-France
Vincent Plassard1, Sophie Granier2, Philippe Gisbert3, Yves
Millemann1.
Alfort National Veterinary School and AnTiBioresistance Mission,
1
Maisons-Alfort, France; 2Anses Fougères and AnTiBioResistance
Mission, Fougères, France; 3CEVA, Libourne, France.
Objectives: The specific objectives of the project were to
evaluate on a convenient sample of three dairy cattle farms
the baseline intestinal colonization with commensal gram-neg-
ative bacteria resistant to carbapenems and 3rd generation
343
ORAL — Public Health, Food Safety and Antimicrobial Resistance
cephalosporins (3GC) using specific selective media and nor-
malized methods for evaluation of antibiotic resistance.
Materials and methods: Three peri-urban dairy farms
were selected because they are included in a regular repro-
ductive follow-up by Alfort Bovine Theriogenology Unit. The
study lasted 1 complete year. Basically, 10 healthy produc-
ing cows were sampled in each herd on a monthly basis. The
samples consisted in rectal swabs, easy to make and to pro-
ceed rapidly afterwards in the lab. In addition, the bulk tank
filter was sampled monthly in 2 out of 3 herds. The selective
used media aimed at selecting for Gram-negative bacteria
resistant to 3rd generation cephalosporins and carbapenems.
For that purpose, we used 2 commercial media (Carba and
Oxa48) (ChromID®, Biomérieux) and one especially prepared
media on the basis of scientific literature (MacConkey with 1
mg cefotaxime /L). Isolates were identified through a Maldi-Tof
device, and resistance to critically important antibiotics was
confirmed via disk diffusion antimicrobial susceptibility testing
implemented on Mueller Hinton agar according to EUCAST
recommendations.
Results: In farm A, the average monthly percentage of
sampled cows harboring bacteria resistant to 3rd generation
cephalosporins was over 15% (table 1). This percentage was
highest in June at 70%. Among the 16 resistant isolates col-
lected during the year, antimicrobial susceptibility revealed
that none was resistant to carbapenem, but all were display-
ing an AmpC or an ESBL phenotype. AmpC producers all be-
longed to Enterobacter genus; one ESBL producer belonged
to the Pseudomonas genus, and all others belonged to the
Escherichia genus. All these ESBL producers were multi-drug
resistant (MDR) bacteria according to the classification of Ma-
giorakos et al.
In farm B, only one resistant bacterium was isolated on
one cow in June; this was a Pseudomonas aeruginosa exhib-
iting an AmpC-producing phenotype. By contrast, the monthly
sampling of bulk tank filters revealed the presence and per-
sistence almost entirely throughout the year of AmpC-produc-
ing Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the milking machine (table
2). All of these isolates were resistant to imipenem and MDR.
In farm C, no bacterium resistant to 3rd generation ceph-
alosporins or carbapenems was isolated in cattle during the
year. As in farm B, the monthly analysis of bulk tank filters also
revealed the presence and persistence throughout the year
of AmpC-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Only 20% of
these isolates were resistant to imipenem, yet all of them were
still considered MDR.
  Farm A Farm B Farm C
Total number of 75 21 36
phenotypically resistant
bacteria
Number of presumptive 16 (21.3%) 1 (4.8%) 0 (0%)
ESBL and/or AmpC
producers (%)
Number of presumptive 14 (18.7%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%)
ESBL producers (%)
Number of presumptive 2 (2.7%) 1 (4.8%) 0 (0%)
AmpC producers (%)
Number of MDR 14 (18.7%) 1 (4.8%) 0 (0%)
bacteria (%)
Table 1: number of resistant bacteria harbored by sampled healthy
dairy cattle in each farm during the year 2018.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
344
  Farm B Farm C
Total number of phenotypically 83 117
resistant bacteria
Number of presumptive ESBL 0 (0%) 0 (0%)
producers (%)
Number of presumptive AmpC 12 (14.5%) 10 (8.5%)
producers (%)
Number of MDR bacteria (%) 12 (14.5%) 10 (8.5%)
Table 2: number of resistant bacteria isolated in bulk tank filters for
farms B and C during the year 2018.
Conclusions: The intestinal colonization baseline of
healthy dairy cattle by Gram-negative bacteria resistant to
3GC or carbapenems on a convenient sample seems to vary
greatly between farms. By monitoring this resistance for a
whole year on a monthly basis, we observe an increase of the
proportion of resistant bacteria during summer. These data will
be confronted to the antimicrobial consumption data as well as
pasture and fertilization conditions in these farms.
The presence in the milking machine of AmpC-produc-
ing phenotype Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Farms B and C
needs to be confirmed and investigated further by determining
the support of this resistance. The milking industry would be
greatly impacted in terms of public health image should this
reservoir be confirmed.
Acknowledgements: Christelle Gandoin and Corinne
Bouillin are gratefully acknowledged for expert technical as-
sistance.
Keywords: Antimicrobial, critical, cattle, baseline, France.
PH-13
Monitoring antimicrobial consumption in the Dairy Sector
in Portugal - system structure and results
João Niza-Ribeiro.
ICBAS-UP, Porto, Portugal.
Objectives: Monitoring antimicrobial (AM) consumption in
the dairy sector is relevant to assess the quantity, quality and
reasons for antimicrobials usage.
The presentation describes the Portuguese system for an-
timicrobial consumption (PSAC) of the dairy sector and pre-
sents first results on antimicrobial consumption patterns from
three years of farm activity.
The PSAC provides data for the ESVAC system, records
and analyse the data to provide benchmark information to
farmers and veterinarians, help in establishing the baseline
for future target setting at farm level and serves also scientific
purposes.
Material & Methods: The PSAC is a conjoint initiative from
the Portuguese Veterinary Authority (DGAV), the Portuguese
Dairy Farmers Association (ANABLE) and Faculty of Biomedi-
cal Sciences Abel Salazar- Porto University (ICBAS-UP).
 ORAL — Public Health, Food Safety and Antimicrobial Resistance
Antimicrobial consumption (AMC) data used by PSAC is
supplied by the BOVNIFOR ® system. This is a WEB base
information system that harbours more than 70% of the dairy
farms in Portugal: The Continent and Azores Islands. It is op-
erated at national level by the dairy farmers’ association AN-
ABLE. Farms in PSAC adhere on a voluntary basis and are
selected from the database of BOVINFOR ® in order to rep-
resent, stratified by region and by size, the Portuguese dairy
sector. The objective is to reach 250 dairy farms.
BOVINFOR ® MEDICAMENTOS records all batches of
AM purchased by the farms using the system; the registry at
the farm, of AM and other medicines prescribed by the vet-
erinarian is compulsory in Portugal. Beside AM consumption,
PSAC also collects from BOVINFOR ® data from every animal
present at the farm the last day every month, categorized as
milking cow, dry cow or by age group otherwise – from calf to
heifer; milk production for every milking cow and somatic cell
count are also collected.
Data treatment involves the calculation of Defined Dai-
ly Doses for animals (DDDvet) and Defined Course Doses
(DCDvet) after the ESVAC recommendation, 2016. The con-
sumption of each AM substance per farm and the average
weight of animals’ is calculated for the entire year after ES-
VAC, 2016. In the analysis DDDvet or DCDvet are expressed
by 100 cow/day or cows/year. Other metrics are also calcu-
lated, like DDDvet or DCDvet per ton of milk produced yearly.
Analysis is performed for injectable, oral, intramammary and
intrauterine formulations. The use of Critically Important (CIA)
AM is analysed separately.
Standardized costing of AMC within the herds is performed
attributing an average cost per product after yearlly consulta-
tion of the market. Total quantity of products acquired per year
provides basis for calculation.
Descriptive statiscical analysis of the data is performed
as well as Principal Component Analysis to look for dominant
consumption patterns.
Reporting is available on line, to users, using an interactive
web-based dashboard. The dashboard allows for the farms
have a benchmark with farms from the same region and size
category. Standardized costing of AMC per farm, per cow in
milk/year and per ton of milk is calculated and presented in
dashboard.
Results: The structure and operation of the PSAC is pre-
sented and discussed. Advantages and limitations of treating
data from AM purchasing rather than from consumption, as
well as the methodology for cost calculation are discussed.
Data from more than 100 farms of AMC and heterogeneity
among farms is analysed. The variation in DDDvet or DCDvet
reaches fivefold. The profile of AM substances used is wide
even when the same prescriber is involved: the farmer seems
to play an important role deciding the AM substances used.
The use of CIA is analysed and doesn’t seem to play important
role in higher production of better SCC.
The dashboard will be explored in the presentation and the
way forward is discussed.
Conclusion: The PSAC approach involves the relevant
stakeholders: veterinary authorities, farmers, farm veterinari-
ans and academia which has so far proven to be a very pos-
itive solution.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
Data analysis suggests high heterogeneity of AMC among
herds offers ample opportunities for reduction and improve-
ment . Analysis of the use CIA raise interesting hypothesis
about the relevance of systematic use and deserves investi-
gation in the future.
The use of interactive web-based dashboard is a popular
solution for the farnmers and veterinarians involved.
Keywords: ESVAC, Dairy, Antimicrobial Consumption.
PH-14
Evaluation of the longitudinal effect of metaphylaxis
treatment of preweaned dairy calves with enrofloxacin
or tulathromycin on the susceptibility of antimicrobial
resistant fecal E. coli
Richard Pereira1, Craig Altier2, Julie Siler2, Sabine Mann3, David
Jordan4, Warnick Lorin5.
1
Department of Population Health and Reproduction, College of
Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis,, Davis,CA, United
States; 2Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences,
College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell, University, Ithaca, NY, United
States; 3Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences,
College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell, University, Ithaca,NY, United
States; 4Division of Primary Industries, Industry & Investment NSW,
Wollongbar, NSW, Australia; 5Department of Population Medicine
and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell,
Ithaca,NY, United States.
Objective: The objective of this study was to longitudinal-
ly quantify E. coli resistant to ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone in
calves treated with enrofloxacin or tulathromycin for the con-
trol of bovine respiratory disease. Dairy.
Material and Methods: Calves 2 to 3 weeks old were ran-
domly selected and enrolled in each study group: (1) receiving
single label dose of enrofloxacin (ENR)(n=22) ; (2) receiving
single label dose of tulathromycin (TUL)(n=23); or (3) serv-
ing as a control and not receiving an antimicrobial treatment
(CTL)(n=20). Calves were housed in individual hutches and at
approximately 60 days of age weaned and housed in group
pens. Fecal samples were collected immediately before the
administration of the antimicrobial treatment and at days 2,
4, 7, 14, 21, 28, 56, and 112 days after beginning treatment.
Samples were used for qualification of E. coli using a selec-
tive hydrophobic grid membrane filter (HGMF) master grid.
Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare proportion of E. coli
resistant to ciprofloxacin and proportion of E. coli resistant to
ceftriaxone by treatment group over time.
Results: ENR had a significantly higher proportion of E.
coli resistant to ciprofloxacin when compared to the CTL and
TUL at time points 2, 4 and 7. At time point 28, a significantly
higher proportion of E. coli resistant to ciprofloxacin was ob-
served only when compared to CTL. TUL had a significant-
ly higher proportion of E. coli resistant to ciprofloxacin when
compared to the CTL at time points 2, 4 and 7. Lack of signif-
icant difference in shedding of ciprofloxacin resistant E.coli in
ENR and TUL compared to CTL was because of lower total
345
ORAL — Public Health, Food Safety and Antimicrobial Resistance
CFU/g of feces shedding of ciprofloxacin resistant E.coli in
these treatment group. None of the treatment groups resulted
in a significantly higher proportion of E. coli isolates resistant
to ceftriaxone.
Conclusion: Our study identified that treatment of calves
at high risk of developing BDR with either enrofloxacin or tu-
lathromycin resulted in a consistently higher proportion of cip-
rofloxacin resistant E. coli in fecal samples.
Keywords: ENrofloxacin; prohylaxis; dairy calves; BRD.
PH-15
Effect of heat and pH treatments on degradation of ceftiofur
in whole milk
Richard Pereira, Adriana Garzon, Pramod Pandey, Lisa Tell, Sharif
Aly, Robert Poppenga.
University of California Davis, Davis,CA, United States.
Objectives: Waste milk (milk that contains drug residues
and high somatic cell counts) feeding practices of preweaned
dairy calves have been implicated as a potential source for
disseminating antimicrobial resistant bacteria among animals
and the environment. Two interventions that have shown po-
tential for degrading antimicrobial drugs in milk are heat and
pH treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect
of heat and pH treatments on the degradation of ceftiofur and
ceftiofur free acid equivalents in milk at concentrations previ-
ously found in waste milk on dairy farms by spiking saleable
pasteurized whole milk with ceftiofur sodium.
Material and Methods: Three heat treatments of ceftiofur
sodium spiked milk were evaluated for their ability to degrade
ceftiofur: 63°C for 30 minutes (LTLT), 72°C for 15 seconds
(HTST) and 92°C for 20 minutes (HTLT). Two pH treatments of
ceftiofur sodium spiked milk were evaluated: pH 4.0 (LpH) and
pH 10 (HpH). Control samples spiked with ceftiofur sodium
were kept at room temperature and samples collected at cor-
responding times for heat and pH treatments. Four treatment
replicates were performed for each treatment group. Ceftiofur
was quantified in milk samples using liquid chromatography
mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and ceftiofur free acid equiv-
alents (CFAE) were measured using high-performance liquid
chromatography (HPLC).
Results: HTLT resulted in a degradation of 35.24% of the
initial concentration of ceftiofur. Ceftiofur degradation did not
differ between control and the remaining two heat treatment
groups (LTLT and HTST). HpH resulted in degradation of the
95.72 and 96.28% of the initial concentration of ceftiofur and
CFAE, respectively.No significant changes in the degradation
of ceftiofur or CFAE were observed for control or LpH treat-
ments.
Conclusion: In conclusion, our study results were that al-
kalinizing milk to pH 10 and heating milk to 92°C for 20 min-
utes degraded ceftiofur and CFAE in spiked simulated waste
milk demonstrated promising potential as treatment options
for degrading ceftiofur and CFAE in waste milk, and further
research is needed to evaluate the viability for implementation
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
346
of these treatments in dairy farms.
Keywords: waste milk; drug residues; antimicrobial resis-
tance.
PH-18
Antimicrobial sensitivities of mastitis pathogens amongst
herds with different dry cow therapy usage history
Scott McDougall1, David Dymock2, Amanda Kilby2, Joanne Holter3.
Cognosco, Morrinsville, New Zealand; 2SP Animal Health Ltd., Upper
1
Hutt, New Zealand; 3SP Animal Health Ltd, Upper Hutt, New Zealand.
Objectives: Antimicrobial use in animal production faces
increasing scrutiny due to concerns about potential selection
for antimicrobial resistance. Intra-mammary dry cow therapy
(DCT) is the largest single indication for antimicrobial use on
dairy farms in New Zealand (Compton and McDougall 2014).
DCT containing the beta lactams cephalonium, cloxacillin or
cloxacillin/ampicillin in combination, are the most common-
ly-used in New Zealand. However, the relationship between
the use of cephalonium or ampicillin/cloxacillin-based DCT
and the development of antimicrobial resistance has not been
examined in New Zealand. The objective of this study was to
compare the distribution of Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations
(MICs) for common mastitis pathogens from cows in herds
exposed to cephalonium or cloxacillin-based DCT, relative to
isolates from cows on organic farms where there has been no
recent antimicrobial exposure.
Material and Methods: Herds were selected on the basis
of not having used any antimicrobial for at least three years
(organic; n=7 herds) or having used either cloxacillin/ampicillin
dry cow therapy (cloxacillin/ampicillin; n=11 herds) or cephalo-
nium DCT (cephalonium; n=8 herds) as the predominant DCT
in the preceding three years.
In each of these herds, quarter-level milk samples (n=793)
were collected from all cows (n=984) with an SCC >200,000
cells /mL at the most recent herd test. Cows that had been
treated with antibiotics for mastitis in the 30 days prior to sam-
pling were excluded. The MIC of coagulase-negative Staphy-
lococci (CNS), Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus uberis
and Streptococcus dysgalactiae isolates were determined us-
ing a broth microdilution plate which included 10 antimicrobials
(Mastitis plate, Trek Diagnostics, CMV1AMAF).
The MIC values were categorised as sensitive or resistant
using Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) cate-
gories (where available) and the effect of herd DCT exposure
on the MICs within each pathogen/antimicrobial combination
was analysed using the nonparametric Kruskal Wallis rank
test and by ordinal logistic regression.
Results: For CNS isolates (n=240), 13% and 32% were
resistant to ampicillin and to penicillin, respectively. Less than
3% of the CNS isolates were resistant to the other 7 antimicro-
bials tested (including 0.8% resistant to cephalothin). Isolates
from organic herds had a lower risk of being in a higher MIC
category for ampicillin (OR=0.14) and penicillin (OR=0.18)
than isolates from cephalonium herds. For 29% and 35% of
 ORAL — Public Health, Food Safety and Antimicrobial Resistance
isolates were resistant to ampicillin or penicillin, respective-
ly. Resistance was detected in 0.3% of S. aureus isolates to
erythromycin and 1.2% of isolates were resistant to cloxacillin.
Isolates from organic herds had lower MICs for tetracycline
than those from cephalonium (OR<0.01) herds and had lower
MICs for ampicillin and penicillin than for cloxacillin/ampicil-
lin exposed herds (both P<0.05). The MICs for ampicillin and
penicillin were lower (P<0.05) in cloxacillin exposed herds
than cephalonium exposed herds but were not different be-
tween organic and cephalonium herds. For S. dysgalactiae
(n=50), 2% of isolates were resistant to ceftiofur, 4% were re-
sistant to erythromycin, 2% were resistant penicillin/novobio-
cin, 2% were resistant to pirlimycin, and 8% were resistant to
tetracyclines. There were insufficient isolates of S. dysgalac-
tiae to analyse the effect of DCT-exposure on MIC. Amongst
S. uberis isolates, 1.1% were resistant to erythromycin, 1.6%
were resistant to pirlimycin, and 0.5% were resistant to tetra-
cycline. Organic herds had lower MIC’s for ampicillin, ceftiofur,
cephalothin, penicillin, pirlimycin, sulphadimethoxine, and tet-
racycline than isolates from cephalonium herds, and similarly
organic herd isolates had lower MICs for ampicillin, ceftiofur,
cephalothin, penicillin, pirlimycin, and tetracycline than those
from cloxacillin/ampicillin herds.
Conclusions: Antimicrobial resistance was detected
amongst some bovine mastitis pathogen/antimicrobial combi-
nations. Higher MICs were observed for some pathogen/an-
timicrobial combinations amongst isolates drawn from herds
with a history of exposure to either cloxacillin or cephalonium
DCT, compared with isolates from organic herds. It should be
noted that these differences in MIC distribution generally oc-
curred at MIC values below clinical cutpoints as defined by
CLSI, such that the antimicrobials are likely to remain clinically
effective. Bimodal MIC distributions for some antimicrobials
within some bacterial species were observed in organic herds
suggesting that recent DCT usage is not the only factor affect-
ing MICs. Given the observed findings, further work is required
to determine if indeed exposure to DCT is in fact causal of
elevated MICs, and whether reduction or removal of DCT from
herds alters the MIC of mastitis pathogens from herds.
Keywords: Antimicrobial resistance, dry cow treatment,
dairy cow.
PH-19
Antimicrobial resistance of E. coli in bulk tank milk from
dairy farms in Germany – A 10 year perspective
Bernd-Alois Tenhagen, Katja Alt, Annemarie Käsbohrer, Jens-André
Hammerl, Mirjam Grobbel.
German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany.
Objectives: The objective of this study was to compare
current antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in E. coli from bulk tank
milk in German dairy herds with AMR of E. coli from previ-
ous years collected in the same sampling framework. While
the risk of consumers due to AMR in E. coli from bulk tank
milk is typically low as most of the milk is heat treated before
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
marketing and consumption, it gives a good indication of the
overall resistance situation in the dairy herds and may mirror
antimicrobial use.
Material and Methods: The study was carried out in the
framework of a national monitoring program on zoonotic bac-
teria and antimicrobial resistance in the food chain in Germa-
ny. Randomly chosen dairy herds (n=471) were included in
this study in 2009, 2010, 2014 and 2019. A new random se-
lection was carried out in every year, i.e. different herds were
tested over the years. In 2014 an additional sampling frame
included organic dairy herds. No. of conventional herds was
distributed across the country proportionate to the number of
dairy cows in the respective federal state. Data for 2019 are
still subject to further validation. Final data will be presented at
the conference.
Escherichia coli were isolated from bulk tank milk by re-
gional state laboratories using routine methods. Isolates were
submitted to the National Reference Laboratory for Antimi-
crobial Resistance (NRL-AR) for antimicrobial susceptibility
testing (AST) using the broth microdilution method according
to CLSI guidelines. For the comparison, minimum inhibitory
concentrations were evaluated based on epidemiological cut
off values (ECOFF) provided by EUCAST and Commission
Implementing Decision 2013/652/EU. Fourteen antimicrobi-
als were included in the testing annually. However, due to a
change in the panel of antimicrobials only ten antimicrobials
(gentamicin, chloramphenicol, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, cipro-
floxacin, nalidixic acid, ampicillin, sulfamethoxazole, trimetho-
prim and tetracycline) were available for comparison across
all years, while some antimicrobials were only included in the
first two years (kanamycin, streptomycin and florfenicol) and
replaced by others (azithromycin, tigecycline and meropen-
em) in 2014. Colistin was tested in all years. However, con-
centrations tested in 2009 and 2010 did not cover the current
ECOFF. Therefore results from those years could not be in-
cluded in the analysis.
Results: Overall, antimicrobial resistance in the tested
E. coli was low in all years, with more than 80 % of the iso-
lates susceptible to all antimicrobials. The highest proportion
(95.9 %) of fully susceptible isolates was observed in isolates
from organic farms (n=74) that were tested in 2014. The lowest
rate was seen in 2010 with 75.8 % fully susceptible isolates.
Overall, highest resistance rates were observed to sulfame-
thoxazole (10.0 %), tetracycline (6.2 %) and ampicillin (5.9 %),
while resistance to azithromycin, tigecycline and meropenem
(tested only in 2014 and 2019) was absent. Resistance to third
generation cephalosporins (cefotaxime and ceftazidime) was
absent in 2009 and in isolates from organic farms that were
additionally tested in 2014. Highest resistance rates to these
substances were observed in 2019 (6.9 % and 5.7 %) while
overall resistance rate was low (1.9 %). Resistance to fluoro-
quinolones (2.3 %) was highest in 2010 (5.3 %) and was only
absent in isolates from organic farms in 2014. Resistance to
colistin was observed in one isolate from a conventional farm
in 2014, but absent in isolates from organic farms in 2014 and
dairy farms in 2019.
Conclusions: Overall results indicate a constantly low
rate of AMR in E. coli from bulk tank milk in Germany over
the years. On the other hand, observed resistance patterns
have been including antimicrobials of highest priority to human
347
ORAL — Public Health, Food Safety and Antimicrobial Resistance
medicine indicating room for further improvement.
Keywords: Antimicrobial Resistance, Bulk Tank Milk,
Dairy, E. coli.
PH-20
Quantifying, benchmarking and rationalising medicines
use in the UK beef industry
David C. Barrett1, Kristen K. Reyher1, Jon G. Massey1, Rachel Adams1,
Judith L. Capper2.
Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United
1 industry, providing that the denominator could be accurately
Kingdom; 2Livestock Sustainability Consultancy, Harwell, United
Kingdom.
Objectives: There is growing awareness of the threat of
antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to animal, human and ecosys-
tem health, therefore livestock industries must demonstrate
a clear intent to reduce, replace and refine antimicrobial use
(AMU). Individual farmers and veterinarians must also demon-
strate responsible, evidence-based medicine use to maintain
productivity, animal health and public health, and to ensure
consumer confidence in animal welfare and food safety. A
whole-system approach to livestock health is required, incor-
porating measuring and improving on-farm medicines use,
which is facilitated by benchmarking between time periods,
farms and industry sectors. Various medicines benchmarking
metrics are already in use within livestock production (e.g. mg
AMs/kg liveweight, defined daily dose (DDD), etc.), with the
relevance, applicability and adoptability of each metric de-
pending on the quality and availability of input data. However,
within the UK livestock industry, beef producers are unique-
ly heterogenous, with farms spanning a wide range of cattle
breeds, herd sizes, production systems and marketing strate-
gies, which poses significant challenges for medicines bench-
marking.
This study analysed on-farm medicine use on beef oper-
ations within and across UK beef sectors in order to develop
medicines metrics and methodologies for on-farm data collec-
tion, recording and benchmarking; and to inform the devel-
opment of a national electronic medicine data recording hub
(eMH) for UK cattle.
Materials and methods: A multimodal approach with in-
dustry input at every stage was employed, using farmer ques-
tionnaires in conjunction with on-farm medicine and veterinary
prescribing records to assess the quality and quantity of med-
icines data available on UK beef farms and to develop adopt-
able, appropriate and effective data collection methodologies.
Focus groups involving farmers, veterinarians, suitably-quali-
fied persons (SQPs) and beef industry stakeholders were con-
vened, with participatory methodology used to gain insight into
opportunities for and barriers to data collection.
Results: Although keeping detailed on-farm medicine re-
cords is a legal requirement, no standard approach exists for
UK beef operations, with considerable variation in the quality,
accessibility and extent of data recorded on farms. Medicines
records obtained in this study were shown to be consistent
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
348
with existing databases. However, they were often confounded
by multiple beef operations on a single holding or the co-pres-
ence of sheep, pigs or dairy operations. Furthermore, many
beef operators did not weigh their cattle and growing cattle
moved between operations without medicine records being si-
multaneously transferred. It was therefore difficult to calculate
accurate livestock weight-based metrics (e.g. mg AMs/kg cat-
tle liveweight), dose-related metrics (e.g. DDD) or individual
animal metrics (total AM use over the animal’s lifetime/kg beef
produced). Nevertheless, novel metrics that allowed cattle
producers to benchmark and compare medicines use between
cattle groups or timepoints (e.g. percent of cattle treated with a
specific medicine) and allowed AMU to be quantified and com-
pared were both achievable by, and applicable to, the UK beef
determined. Consequently, a standard beef cattle unit (SBCU)
was developed, based on characteristic and representative
cattle liveweights according to cattle breed (beef or dairy),
age, sex and system (intensive or extensive). The most appro-
priate metrics for AMU benchmarking were determined to be:
• Total AMU (mg/SBCU)
• Total Highest Priority Critically Important Antimicrobial
(HPCIA) (mg/SBCU)
• Total non-HPCIA (mg/SBCU)
The most-appropriate metric for benchmarking other med-
icines use (e.g. vaccines, parasiticides, steroids, etc.) was the
percent of the at-risk population treated with the medicine per
annum. These novel metrics have since informed national
AMU standards for the beef sector and the cattle eMH.
Conclusion: Establishing and adopting on-farm medi-
cines use metrics will encourage farmers and veterinarians to
improve animal health and responsible medicines use. How-
ever, it is also recognised that there is value in augmenting the
core benchmarking metrics recommended in this study with
more accurate farm-specific information as well as in moving
in the future to recording lifetime health and medicine admin-
istration information. In future, electronic cattle identification,
data collection apps and the development of an integrated
data hub that can include birth dates, movements, live/slaugh-
ter weights, laboratory tests, herd health status, medicine ad-
ministration and treatment outcome would add value for the
industry.
Acknowledgements: This work was partially funded by
the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB).
Discussion group participation and expert input from the proj-
ect’s industry stakeholder group plus numerous veterinarians,
SQPs and farmers is gratefully acknowledged.
Keywords: AMR, Medicine, Beef, Cattle, Metric.
PH-21
An outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium RDNC in a dairy
herd
Alan Murphy.
Animal and Plant Health Agency, Bury St Edmunds, United Kingdom.
 ORAL — Public Health, Food Safety and Antimicrobial Resistance
Objectives: An advisory visit and a subsequent zoonosis
sampling exercise were conducted on a dairy herd following
the isolation of Salmonella Typhimurium RDNC in the adult
herd. The aim of the advisory visit was to establish a cause for
acute milk drop in 80% of the adult herd. When confirmed as
being due to Salmonellosis a second visit was carried out to
epidemiologically assess the site and establish the likely route
of entry for the bacteria into the herd. This visit was also an op-
portunity to reinforce the zoonotic risk posed by the organism.
Materials and Methods: An acute episode of milk drop
was reported over one weekend in a 120 cow dairy herd with
80% of the herd affected. The bulk tank volume dropped by
over 50% and the private veterinary surgeon involved request-
ed an advisory vist by an Animal and Plant Health Agency Vet-
erinary Investigation Officer. At the time of this initial visit the
cows were observed to be dull, with vague signs of abdominal
discomfort and inappetance. Pyrexia had been reported in a
small proportion and supportive treatment had been admin-
stered. Walking the grazing area of the cows, casts of intesinal
mucosa were observed with frank blood staining also.
Blood and faecal samples were submitted for assessemt
with the primary differential being alimentary tract disease.
Following isolation of Salmonella Typhimurium RDNC from
all faecal samples, an advisory zoonosis visit was conducted.
This resulted in a detailed overview of the entire farm, its man-
agement and a substantial amount of environmental sampling.
Results: The blood results were unremarkable.
The faecal samples collected all yielded Salmonella Typh-
imurium RDNC.
The environmental samples collected demonstrated wide-
spread contamination of the adult cow and feed areas, with
Salmonella Typhimurium RDNC
Whole genome sequencing confirmed the isolate to be one
of concern in an ongoing human health issue under investiga-
tion by Public Health England.
Conclusion: This was an unusual presentation of Salmo-
nellosis in a group of adult cattle, given the morbidity and acute
onset. At no point was disease observed or suspected in other
age groups in the herd and it was considered that this was a
measure of the robust biosecurity already in place. Though
additional means to enhance this were suggested. The cows
recovered within a few weeks with moderate losses. This com-
prised of one abortion, one cow death and three cases of tail
tip necrosis. No further losses were reported some three mot-
nhs later and a full return to expected yields was reported. The
strain invoved in this case had been the subject of an informa-
tion leaflet published by APHA in Novemner 2018 following a
significant issue of mortlality in sheep flocks and associated
human health incidents. The latter had been linked to the con-
sumption of lamb and mutton. One of the flocks involved in this
case was near to this dairy farm. At the advisory visit it was
established that the outbreak coincided with the opening up of
a maize silage clamp, which had been heavily contaminated
by wild birds. Sampling of the feed area recovered the Salmo-
nella of interest and it was proosed that the most likely route
of entry onto the farm had been wild bird movements from an-
other infected premisies. The provison of the maize silage via
a TMR had then enabled large scale innoculation of the adult
herd in one event, leading to the uniformity of the clinical signs.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
Salmonella Dublin is routinely reported as the predomnant
serotype of concern in the bovine currently. As veterinary sur-
geons we must always be aware that other strains can be just
as significant or even more so on an individual farm basis.
New and emerging threats such as this with, established hu-
man health significance; are timely reminders that we should
never become complacent in the control of this bacteria.
Keywords: Zoonosis, Salmonella Typhimurium RDNC,
Dairy.
PH-22
There's more work to do: New Zealand Dairy Farmers’
understanding of One Health, Antimicrobial Resistance,
and the Restricted Veterinary Medicines process
Kurt Arden1, Richard A Laven2, Kristina R Mueller2.
Royal Veterinary College, London, United Kingdom; 2Massey
1
University, School of Veterinary Sciences, Palmerston North, New
Zealand.
Objectives: Veterinarians play a key role in managing the
threat of antimicrobial resistance in animal and human popu-
lations, not only by adopting antimicrobial stewardship in their
treatment and prescribing decisions, but also through edu-
cation of stakeholders. The Restricted Veterinary Medicines
(RVM) procedure under the Agricultural Compounds and Vet-
erinary Medicines (ACVM) Act 1997 is one method that veter-
inarians in New Zealand use to monitor antimicrobial use on
dairy farms and provides an opportunity for veterinarians to
introduce farmers to the One Health model.
The aim of this study was to generate a pilot set of data on
the opinions and understanding of New Zealand Dairy Farm-
ers with regards to ‘One Health’, ‘Antimicrobial Resistance
(AMR)’ and the ‘Restricted Veterinary Medicines’ operating
plan. Furthermore, it aimed to allow a greater understanding
of how these topics impact dairy farmers’ lives and to lay the
groundwork for further research in this globally important area.
Materials and methods: A questionnaire including 55
questions (40 open questions and 15 closed questions) was
distributed to a convenience sample of dairy farm clients of
the Massey Farm Services Clinic. The questionnaire was then
completed via in-person interviews with the principal research-
er. The study period was from September 2021 to November
2021. Results were entered into a database and processed
with Microsoft Excel.
Results: 15 out of 16 farms participated in the survey (re-
sponse rate of 93.75%). The average herd size of this study
was 181 cows. Only one farm reported being aware of the term
‘One Health’ and none of the interviewees could define the dis-
cipline. In comparison, 73% of interviewed farms were aware
of antimicrobial resistance and could attempt to define it. 53%
of clients interviewed were unaware of the existence of the
New Zealand Veterinary Association’s (NZVA) ‘Antimicrobial
Traffic Light system’ and only 33% considered following the
traffic light system when choosing antibiotic treatment. 53%
of respondents did not use antibiotics as first line treatment
349
ORAL — Public Health, Food Safety and Antimicrobial Resistance

without seeking veterinary advice, 80% of which said they had

decreased their antibiotic use over the past 5 years.
Conclusions: The World Health organization has cate-
gorized AMR as one of the top threats facing public health
and created the global action plan on AMR in 2015. The NZVA
antimicrobial traffic light system dividing antimicrobials into
three groups (green, orange, and red) was launched in 2016,
encouraging preferential use of green light antibiotics which
are less important to human health compared to orange or
red rated antibiotics. New Zealand Veterinarians have a key
role to play within this plan and by following the NZVA traffic
light system and using the RVM process as tools to combat
AMR, the New Zealand veterinary industry is in a strong po-
sition to keep AMR at the low levels we currently see in large
animal veterinary practice. However, ensuring all relevant par-
ties understand the terms that are used to achieve One Health
goals is crucial for success and for ensuring buy-in from farm-
ers. This study identified a lack of understanding of the term
‘One Health’ in farmers which is concerning. Furthermore, in
2021, a ‘traffic light system’ for the COVID-19 response was
launched in New Zealand which could cause confusion of
terms, especially when using search engines for example.
Overall, farmers interviewed in this study found the RVM
of use to their farm; providing opportunity for clinical veteri-
narians to communicate the key themes of One Health and
Antimicrobial Resistance to receptive clientele. This study has
laid the groundwork for future research into farmer opinions of
AMR and One Health and allow all those who work in this field
to collaborate on this important global health threat.
Keywords: Antimicrobial resistance, One Health, farmer
survey, antimicrobial traffic light system.

31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID

350

PT-01
Temperatures of pharmaceutical storage areas in large
animal veterinary practice vehicles in the winter
Elizabeth R. Homerosky1, Jeff D. Ondrak2, Meredyth L. Jones3,
Virginia R. Fajt4.
1
Veterinary Agri-Health Services, Ltd., Airdrie, Canada; 2Great Plains
Veterinary Educational Center, University of Nebraska, Clay Center,
United States; 3Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, United States;
4
Texas A & M University, College Station, United States.
Objective: Many manufacturers recommend that non-re-
frigerated products be stored at room temperature (20–25 °C).
Large animal veterinary practice vehicle storage units are
commonly outfitted with an adjustable heater to prevent freez-
ing as ambient temperatures in many locations in North Amer-
ica drop below these temperatures in winter. The authors have
previously evaluated storage units in vehicles in the summer,
so the objective of this study was to measure storage area
temperatures in the winter to evaluate the effectiveness of
heaters and the extent to which temperatures fall outside the
manufacturers’ recommended range.
Materials and Methods: A convenience sample of six
vehicles from an ambulatory beef cattle practice in Southern
Alberta was used. Ambient temperature and temperatures in
two storage areas (close to the heater and far from the heater)
in each vehicle were recorded from November 1, 2018 – Feb-
ruary 28, 2019, at 15-minute intervals using self-contained,
battery operated temperature recording devices.  Material and methods: A GCP compliant study was
Results: The lowest and highest overall temperatures re-
corded in a storage unit were -29.7 °C and 62.6 °C, respec-
tively. The mean temperature recorded across all six storage
units was 16.8 °C near the heater and 11.6 °C far from the
heater, while ambient temperature averaged 2 °C. During the
120-day data collection period, temperatures below freezing
were recorded between 3-48 days for each of the six vehicles.
Readings far from the heater fell within the recommended
range for room temperature 11.3% of the time, whereas only
5.6% of readings near the heater fell within the recommended
range.
Conclusion: Temperatures in practice vehicle storage
units were outside recommended pharmaceutical storage
temperatures a significant portion of the winter. Furthermore,
there is a discernable variation between storage areas near
and far from the heater. Research is needed to determine the
extent to which these fluctuations outside the manufacturers'
recommended storage temperatures impact efficacy of stored
pharmaceuticals.
Keywords: Drugs, vet box, heater, frozen.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Pharmacology and Therapeutics
PT-02
Efficacy of an oral solution of paromomycin for the
treatment of newborn dairy calves with cryptosporidiosis.
Results from a comparative European multicentric field
study
Damien Achard1, Béatrice Besche-Barbazanges1, Gaëlle Pagny1, Jean-
François Collin1, Dejan Cvejić2.
Ceva Santé Animale, Libourne, France; 2Klifovet AG, Munich,
1
Germany.
Objective: Cryptosporidiosis is a frequent parasitological
infection of mammals including but not limiting to humans and
neonatal ruminants. In newborn calves, cryptosporidiosis has
been repeatedly identified as a major contributor of neona-
tal diarrhoea, a dominant calfhood disease with detrimental
health and economic consequences.  Current treatment op-
tions for clinically affected newborn calves are limited. A recent
meta-analysis work reported halofuginone and paromomycin
as valuable oral treatment options while recognizing that halo-
fuginone can present important safety issues and that data is
insufficient to fully support the use of paromomycin (Brainard
et al., 2020, 2021). To address this lack of evidence, a study
under field conditions was performed in dairy newborn calves
clinically affected by cryptosporidiosis comparing a new dose
regimen of an oral paromomycin solution (Gabbrovet Multi®,
Ceva Santé Animale) to a reference product based on halo-
fuginone (Halocur®, MSD).
performed according to a blinded, randomized, positive con-
trolled, multicentric design in 4 commercial farms located in
Germany, Hungary, and Portugal. The farms enrolled had a
recent history of cryptosporidiosis and complied with several
conditions such as vaccination for BVDV and neonatal di-
arrhea. Each newborn calves in this study were required to
meet the following criteria for enrollment: age between 3-14
days, faecal score ≥ 2, negative rapid test for E. coli, coro-
navirus, rotavirus, and positive rapid test for C. parvum. Any
calf that presented with diarrhoea for > 24 hours or that has
been previously exposed to antibiotics, parasiticides or probi-
otics was excluded. Animals were randomly allocated to two
treatment groups. Calves in group A received 150 mg paro-
momycin sulfate/ kg b.w., once daily, for 5 days by oral route
while calves in group B were orally administered 100 µg halo-
fuginone/ kg b.w., once daily, for 7 days. The following clinical
and parasitological parameters were monitored at fixed times
during the 21 days of the study: fecal score (0-3), general
health observation (0-3), hydration score (0-3), oocyst counts
(number of oocysts per gram of dry faeces), bodyweight
and mean daily body weight gain (MDBWG). Percentages
of calves cured at day 8 and MDBWG between day 0 and
day 21 were the main criteria to evaluate the efficacy in both
treatment groups. Other criteria such as parasitological cure
at day 3, 5, 7, 14 and 21 and time to clinical cure from day 2
to day 8 were also assessed. The statistical unit was the calf
and the 5% level of significance (p < 0.05 for two-sided tests)
was used to assess statistical differences.
Results: Three hundred thirty-four dairy calves, mostly
Holstein-Friesians, with a mean age of 9.1 days and a mean
body weight of 41.8 kg were enrolled in this study. 165 calves
351
ORAL — Pharmacology and Therapeutics
were allocated to treatment group A, 169 in the treatment
group B. At inclusion, the treatment groups were found com-
parable.  94.6% (156/165) of newborn calves in group A and
87.6% (148/169) in group B were considered clinically cured
by day 8. Clinical cure rate in group A was found superior to
those observed in group B (lower bound of the 95% CI >0). In
addition, MDBWG was higher for calves in group A in compar-
ison to calves in group B, with a difference between groups of
0.0405 kg/day (p = 0.0086, best model); that is a bodyweight
advantage of 850 g at the end of the 3 weeks follow-up period.
Calves in group A were found to be cured faster in comparison
to calves in group B. More precisely, the probability of healing
first was 56.75% in favor of group A. The qualitative assess-
ment of oocyst counts (positive / negative) assessed at each
time point showed no significant difference, except on Day 7
(76.4% and 87.0% for negative calves in group A and B re-
spectively). Overall, seven adverse events were documented
from seven animals in group B but were not found to be related
to the treatment.
Conclusion: In this European field study, daily oral treat-
ment with 150 mg/kg of paromomycin (Gabbrovet Multi®) for
5 days was found safe and highly effective to cure sick dairy
calves with cryptosporidiosis and to control their oocyst bur-
den. In addition, this new treatment regimen was found supe-
rior to the current reference treatment based on halofuginone.
Keywords: Dairy calves, cryptosporidiosis, treatment,
paromomycin, field study.
PT-03
Effects of early treatment with non-steriod anti-
inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) against bovine respiratory
syncytial virus (BRSV)
Sara Hägglund1, Eve Laloy2, Ignacio Alvarez3, Katarina Näslund4,
Yongzhi Guo3, Sara Rosenberg3, Mansour Naghibi3, Gabriella
Hallbrink Ågren3, Haleh Yazdan Panah3, Ganna Shevchenko5,
Jonas Bergquist5, Anna Hillström6, Edouard Timsit7, Jean Francois
Valarcher3.
1
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden;
2
Laboratoire VETODIAG, Saint-Pierre-en-Auge, France; 3Swedish
University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden; 4National
Veterinary Institute, Uppsala, Sweden; 5Uppsala University, Uppsala,
Sweden; 6University Animal Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden; 7Ceva Santé
Animale, Libourne, France.
Objectives: Non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
are increasingly used as a single and early treatment against
respiratory disease caused by bovine respiratory syncytial vi-
rus (BRSV). These drugs reduce fever, but consistent reduc-
tion of pulmonary inflammation has not been demonstrated
[1]. While some of the induced mechanisms are anti-inflamma-
tory, others might augment inflammation in the lung and delay
the healing process. The drawbacks include increased levels
of leuokotriene B4, a chemoattractant for neutrophils, and de-
creased levels of prostacyclin and prostaglandin E2, which
mediate a switch from leukotriene to lipoxin production. On
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
352
the other hand, the production of lipoxin and resolvins, which
are important for lung epithelial repair, can also be triggered by
aspirin, by another pathway [2][3]. The effect of aspirin is high-
er on COX-1 versus on COX-2, whereas the opposite is valid
for meloxicam. The objective of this study was to map and
compare the inflammatory events following early treatment
with these different drugs against BRSV in calves.
Material and methods: Fifteen 3-8-week-old dairy calves
were allocated to three groups, according to age, bodyweight
and BRSV-specific maternal antibodies, and were infected
with BRSV by aerosol. The calves received either 0,5 mg/kg
meloxicam (MET) subcutaneously on D4 post infection (PI,
n=5), 20 mg/kg acetylsalicylat-DL-lysin (ASP) intravenously
on D4 and D5 (n=5), or no treatment (n=5, CRT).
Clinical signs of disease were scored and peripheral
capillary oxygen saturation was measured on a daily basis.
Bronchoalveolar lavages (BAL), plasma and nasal swabs
were repeatedly collected until post mortem examination of
lungs on D7 PI. The extent of macroscopic lung lesions were
quantified and histological analyses were carried out. BRSV
was detected in swabs and BAL by RT-qPCR. Inflammatory
cells were counted in BAL and BAL proteins were semi-quan-
tified by liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrom-
etry. Eicosanoids were analysed in plasma and BAL by liquid
chromatography triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrom-
etry.
Results: The calves developed mild to moderate clinical
signs of respiratory disease. All calves shed virus from D2 or
D3 throughout D7. No significant difference was observed with
regard to clinical signs, virus shedding or extent of lung le-
sions. The two calves with the most severe clinical signs and
most extensive pathological lesions, had been treated with
ASP and MET, respectively. Meloxicam significantly increased
the proportion of neutrophils in BAL compared to aspirin (24h
after treatment) and compared to no treatment (72h after treat-
ment). Histopathological, proteomic and metabolomic data will
additionally be presented at the meeting.
Conclusions: In contrast to aspirin, treatment with meloxi-
cam increased the influx of neutrophils in the lungs of calves
infected with BRSV, compared to controls 7 days after infection
and 3 days after treatment. Neither aspirin, nor meloxicam had
a curative effect on clinical signs or lung lesions. The effect of
these drugs will be analysed by taking into consideration sys-
temic and local eicosanoids, as well as proteins in BAL fluids
and histology. The results might contribute to evidence-based
practical handling of acute outbreaks of BRSV in the field, as
well as to the general understanding of pulmonary inflamma-
tion, needed for development of efficient drugs.
References:
1. Francoz, D. et al. Evidence related to the use of ancil-
lary drugs in bovine respiratory disease (anti-inflam-
matory and others): are they justified or not? Vet Clin
North Am Food Anim Pract 2012, 28, 23-38, vii-viii,
doi:10.1016/j.cvfa.2011.12.003.
2. Zheng, S., et al. Lipoxin A4 promotes lung epithelial re-
pair whilst inhibiting fibroblast proliferation. ERJ Open
Res 2016, 2, doi:10.1183/23120541.00079-2015.
3. Gilligan, M.M., et al. Aspirin-triggered proresolving
mediators stimulate resolution in cancer. Proc Natl
 ORAL — Pharmacology and Therapeutics

Acad Sci U S A 2019, 116, 6292-6297, doi:10.1073/ The onset, magnitude, and duration of caudal epidural analge-
pnas.1804000116. sia were also determined. Sedation was subjectively evaluat-
Keywords: BRSV, inflammation, NSAID, Eicosanoids, ed by the attitude of the cow, including the response to noise,
BAL proteome. carriage of the head, and the presence of excessive salivation.
Ataxia was evaluated by observing the position of the pelvic
limbs, swaying and leaning against the chute, or any knuck-
ling of the hindlimbs. Physiological variables including heart
rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), rumen contraction (RM), and
rectal temperature (RT) were assessed before epidural admin-
PT-04
istration (baseline) and at 15 min intervals thereafter for 120
Evaluation of the clinical effects of epidural butorphanol in min. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and pre-
cattle sented as mean ± SEM.
Results: Caudal epidural anesthesia was produced in all
Tomas Trucco1, Mazzini Ruben2, Cristian Leiva2, Oscar Garnero2,
heifers following the administration of BTL. The epidural in-
Reza Seddighi3.
jection was easy to perform and well tolerated by all animals.
1
Veterinaria Trucco, Private Practice, Argentina; 2Universidad Caudal epidural analgesia ranged from the tail, vulva, perine-
Nacional del Litoral, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Argentina; um, paralumbar fossa, flank fold and last rib in all heifers. Time
3
University of Tennessee, College of Veterinary Medicine, United States. to the onset of analgesia was 15 ± 2 minutes and duration of
epidural analgesia was 69 ± 7.2 minutes. In all cattle, mild to
moderate sedation (slight lowering of the head carriage and
Introduction and Objectives: Epidural administration is
lower lip and ptyalism) was noted for 68 ± 6 minutes. No signs
one of the commonly used regional blocks in bovine anesthe-
of ataxia were detected. No significant differences in heart
sia for pain control. Caudal epidural anesthesia is commonly
rate, respiratory rate, rumen motility and rectal temperature
utilized in veterinary medicine to allow diagnostic, obstetrical,
were observed between measurements before and after epi-
and surgical intervention in the perineal region of large ani-
dural administration.
mals, while allowing animals to remain in the standing position.
Local anesthetics are the most frequently used drugs for pro- Conclusion: Butorphanol (0.02 mg/kg) administered epi-
ducing analgesia by epidural injection, but other classes such durally to adult cattle produced adequate cutaneous analgesia
as α-2 adrenoceptor agonists, ketamine, and opioids have also and mild sedation without affecting the cardiopulmonary and
been widely used. It has been shown in several species that rumen motility at the doses used in this study.
opioids and alpha-adrenergic agents produce selective caudal Keywords: Bovine, opioids, epidural, pain, butorphanol.
epidural analgesia via binding to the spinal receptors. Stimula-
tion of these spinal receptors results in the inhibition of rostral
transmission of nociceptive (pain) impulses. Thus, a potential
advantage of these agents is the selective sensory blockade,
without the unfavorable depression of motor or autonomic
neurons. Although many opioids have been evaluated and
clinically used for epidural analgesia in cattle, there are no clin-
ical trials on the use of butorphanol (BTL) epidurally in cows.
Therefore, the objectives of this study were to determine the
sedative and analgesic effects of butorphanol administered
epidurally (C1-C2 intercoccygeal space) in standing cattle.
Methods: Five 2 - 3 year-old Holstein heifers (mean 14.6
months ± 0.7); weighing 423 ± 41 kg were used in this study.
During the experiment, cows were restrained in a chute. The
skin area over the first intercoccygeal (Co1-Co2) space was
identified and aseptically prepared. Epidural puncture was
performed with an 18-gauge, 38 mm needle, that was direct-
ed at the right angle to the general contour of the croup. The
correct needle placement in the epidural space was confirmed
by hanging-drop technique and the lack of resistance during
administration of the injectate. Each animal received epidur-
al anesthesia with butorphanol at a dose of 0.02 mg/kg BW.
For each animal, butorphanol was diluted in saline (0.9%) to
a final volume of 5 ml. Sedation, ataxia, and analgesia were
assessed before butorphanol administration and at 5 min in-
tervals after epidural administration for 60 min, and every 15
min thereafter for 120 min. Analgesia was tested by applying
a standard noxious stimulus (skin pinching using a kocher he-
mostat) and subjectively scored based on a 3-point scale: 1)
no response 2) depressed response; and 3) normal response.

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ORAL — Reproduction in Beef Cattle
RB-01
Recombinant glycoprotein with eCG-like activity did not
increase the incidence of multiple ovulation in beef cattle
in a 5-day CoSynch protocol
Alejandro Rodriguez1, Sebastian Maresca1, Sebastian López Valiente1,
Lucas Gelid2, Maria Guillermina Bilbao3, Karen Moran3, Gabriel
Franco4, Pedro Ezcurdia1, Santiago Pérez Wallace5, Ana Meikle6,
Julian Bartolome4.
1
Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Estación Experimental
Agropecuaria Cuenca del Salado, Argentina; 2Instituto Nacional
de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Estación Experimental Agropecuaria
Anguil, Argentina; 3Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y
Técnicas (CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias Universidad
Nacional de La Pampa, Argentina; 4Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias
Universidad Nacional de La Pampa, General Pico, La Pampa,
Argentina; 5Syntex S.A., Buenos Aires, Argentina; 6Laboratorio de
Endocrinología y Metabolismo Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria,
Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay.
Objectives: The objective was to compare the effect of a
glycoprotein with eCG-like activity on the incidence of multiple
ovulation in Bos taurus beef cattle synchronized with a 5-d
CoSynch plus progesterone protocol.
Material & Methods: Angus heifers of 22-month-old and
suckled cows were submitted at random to either a 5-d proges-
terone CoSynch with reCG (reCG; n=140) or a 5-d progester-
one CoSynch without reCG (Control; n=141). The body weight
(BW; mean±SD) and body condition score (BCS, scale 1-9)
of 22-month-old heifers of Herd 1 (n=95) and Herd 2 (n=97)
were 377±21 Kg and 382±30 Kg, and 5.2±0.4 and 6.3±0.5 re-
spectively, while suckled cows in Herd 3 (n=89) had 460±46
Kg and 5.2±0.5 units of BCS. The day of TAI was considered
as Day 0 of the experiment. On Day -8, BCS was recorded
and presence, number and location of CL (cyclicity) was de-
termined based on ultrasonography. On the same day, all ani-
mals received 100 μg of GnRH analog (Gonadoreline acetate,
2 mL, im, Prolusyn®, Syntex) and a 1.0 g of progesterone
intravaginal device (DIB®, Syntex). Ovulation in response to
initial injection of GnRH was evaluated by the number and lo-
cation of CL on Day -3 in relation to Day -8 based on ultraso-
nography. Also, on Day -3, all animals received 0.500 mg of
sodium closprostenol (2 mL, im, Ciclase®, Zoetis) at device
removal and were assigned randomly to receive 300 IU (1.5
mL, im, reCG, Syntex) in heifers and 400 IU (2 mL, im, reCG,
PCT/EP2019/073277, Syntex) in cows of reCG or remain as
untreated controls. On Day -2 animals received a second dose
of closprostenol and finally on Day 0 (72 h after DIB removal),
received 100 μg of gonadoreline acetate concurrent with TAI.
On Day 7, the number of ovulations (single = 1; multiple ≥ 2)
in response to synchronization of ovulation protocol was de-
termined by ultrasonography. Data was analyzed using SAS
(Statistical Analysis System). Optimal BCS was considered in
heifers ≥6 and in cows ≥5. Baseline comparisons were es-
tablished evaluating the distribution of cows in both treatment
groups using a Chi-square test (Proc Freq, SAS system®).
The effect of treatment group (reCG vs. control), herd (1, 2 and
3), BCS (<optimum vs. ≥optimum), cyclicity (anestrus vs. cy-
clic) and ovulation in response to initial injection of GnRH (yes
vs. no) on incidence of multiple ovulation was evaluated by
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354
univariate analysis with Chi-square test (Proc Freq, SAS sys-
tem®). In addition, the effect of treatment adjusted by the rest
of the variables and interactions on the incidence of multiple
ovulation was evaluated by multiple logistic regression models
(Proc Logistic, SAS system®) using the backward elimination
procedure.
Results: There was no difference in the distribution of
cows by herd (P=0.58) and cyclicity (P=0.96) between treat-
ment groups. At the beginning of the experiment (Day -8),
85, 84 and 89 % of heifers and suckled cows from herd 1,
2 and 3, respectively, were cyclic. The percentage of heifers
and suckled cows that ovulated in response to initial injection
of GnRH was 38 and 55%, respectively. Two suckled cows
did not ovulate in response to second injection of GnRH. A
7.2% (20/279) of animals had multiple ovulation in response
to synchronization of ovulation protocol. In the univariate anal-
ysis, the incidence of multiple ovulation was not affected by
treatment group [6.5% (9/139) and 7.9% (11/140) in reCG and
control group, respectively; (P=0.65)]. There was also not af-
fected by herd (P=0.90), BCS (P=0.33), cyclicity (P=0.59) and
ovulation in response to initial injection of GnRH (P=0.76). In
the multivariable analysis, the incidence of multiple ovulation
was also not affected by treatment group (P=0.81).
Conclusions: In conclusion, the addition of reCG in a 5-d
CoSynch plus progesterone protocol did not affect the inci-
dence of multiple ovulation in Bos taurus beef cattle.
Keywords: reCG, 5-day CoSynch, Multiple ovulation.
RB-02
Prevalence and risk factors of purulent vaginal discharge
and cytological endometritis in French beef cows
Vincent Herry1, Magadalena Claes2, Lamia Briant-Amirat3, Clara
Bourel-Conroy4, Nicolas Masset5.
1
SELAS EVA veterinary clinic, Reseau Cristal, Argentonnay, France;
2
SELAS EVA, veterinary clinic, Reseau Cristal, Argentonnay, France;
3
Laboratory of Biotechnology and Reproductive Pathology, ONIRIS:
The National Veterinary, Food agriculture, and food hygiene school of
Loire Atlantique, Nantes, France; 4MSD Santé Animale, Beaucouzé,
France; 5Clinic for Ruminants, CHUV, Oniris, Nantes, France.
Objectives: The primary objective of the study was to de-
terminate the prevalence of purulent vaginal discharge (PVD)
and cytological endometritis (CE) in French beef cows and to
find out cow-related risk factors associated with PVD and CE.
A secondary objective was to evaluate the performance of leu-
kocyte esterase test strips for the diagnosis of CE.
Materials and methods: This prospective cohort study
was conducted in 6 herds of Charolais and Blonde d’Aquit-
aine breeds from December 2020 to April 2021 in the region
of New Aquitaine in France. The cows included underwent
a thorough examination of the reproductive tract at 30 ± 15
days post-partum that consisted in chronological order of i) a
visual observation of vaginal mucous secretion using the Met-
richeck device (Simcro Technology, Hamilton, New Zealand)
ii) endometrial sample using a double-protected cytobrush, iii)

ultrasonographic examination in order to determine the diam-
eter of the cervix, the presence of the uterine contents and to
describe the ovarian structures.
Immediately after the endometrial sampling, the cytobrush
was gently rolled onto a microscopic glass slide which was
subsequently colored (May-Grünwald-Giemsa) in order to de-
termine of the percentage of polymorphonuclear (PMN) leuko-
cytes. The cytobrush was cut and placed in a tube containing
1 mL isotonic sodium chloride (NaCl 0,9%) to perform a leu-
kocyte esterase test (Multistix 10 SG; Siemens, Saint-Denis,
France).
The cows were also blood sampled between 30 to 15 days
before the expected date of calving and between 7 and 24
days after calving to determine the blood concentration of
non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and beta-hydroxybutyrate
acid (BHBA) respectively. The body condition score (BCS)
was determined before calving and at the time of reproduc-
tive examination. Some additional data regarding the calving
(degree of assistance or caesarian section), post-calving dis-
eases (uterine prolapse, retained fetal membranes, puerperal
metritis) or the calves (twinning, birth weight, vitality after birth)
were gathered. Risk factors associated with PVD or CE were
identified using multivariable logisitic regression.
Results: A total of 182 beef cows of Charolais (n=52) and
Blonde d’Aquitaine (n=130) breed were enrolled in the study
among which 66 were primiparous (36.2%) and 116 were mul-
tiparous (63.8%). The prevalence of PVD and CE defined as
a percentage of PMNs superior to 6% were 7.1% and 45.0%,
respectively. Herd prevalence of PVD and CE was highly
variable. Risk factors positively associated with PVD and CE
were the presence of a post-partum disease (i.e. retained fetal
membrane or vaginal prolapse; OR = 5.93 (1.01-30.77) and
OR = 7.0 (1.16-134.26) for PVD and CE respectively) and the
birth weight of the calves (i.e. ≥ 53 kg, OR= 3.94 (1.09-15.99)
or ≥ 49 kg, OR= 2.28 (1.19-4.43) for PVD and CE respective-
ly). No association were found between occurrence of PVD
or CE and the breed, the herd, cervix diameter, pre-partum
blood NEFA concentration, post-partum BHBA, BCS at calving
or BCS variation around calving or the presence of a corpus
luteum at the time reproductive tract examination. The per-
centage of PMNs varied positively with the PVD score, but
the correlation between PVD and CE was not significant. The
leukocyte esterase test was significantly correlated with the
% PMNs, and using a threshold of 6% PMNs for the defini-
tion CE, the sensibility, specificity, positive predictive value,
negative predictive value of the leukocyte esterase test was
0.64, 0.66, 0.60 and 0.69 if the result is “≥1+” and 0.31, 0.94,
0.81 and 0.63 if the result is “≥2+”. Besides PVD or CE was
not correlated with noticeable ultrasonographic changes of the
uterine contents.
Conclusion: Prevalence of PVD was not previously re-
ported in beef cows and appeared lower than observed in
dairy cows. Cytological endometritis, which is not strongly cor-
related with PVD is much more prevalent in this study than
previously reported. Beef cows that gave birth to heavy calves
or suffered post-partum disease (uterine prolapse or retained
fetal membrane in this study) might benefit a thorough evalu-
ation of “uterine health” before the breeding period because
they have higher risks to be affected by PVD or CE. In compar-
ison with conventional cytology, the performance of reagent
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ORAL — Reproduction in Beef Cattle
leukocyte esterase strip as an alternative test was relatively
moderate to good.
Keywords: Beef Reproduction Endometritis.
RB-03
The influence of a natural Neospora caninum infection
substantiated by serum antibody levels on the semen
quality of Belgian Blue bulls
Celien Kemel1, Matthieu Salamone1, Hans Van Loo1, Catherine
Latour2, Sébastien Vandeputte2, Jozefien Callens3, Miel Hostens4,
Geert Opsomer1.
University Ghent, Merelbeke, Belgium; 2AWE Group, Ciney, Belgium;
1
DGZ Vlaanderen, Torhout, Belgium; 4University Utrecht, Utrecht,
3
Netherlands.
Objectives: Worldwide, Neospora caninum (N. caninum),
a cyst-forming protozoan parasite, is considered as one of
the most important causes of bovine abortion/stillbirth. Even
though studies have shown an association of N. caninum and
the failure of reproductive performances in female animals, the
importance of N. caninum on bull fertility has been neglected.
The presence of N. caninum DNA in semen, however, indi-
cates that N. caninum can as well infect the male reproductive
system. Recent literature showed that sperm concentration,
motility, and viability were significantly lower in testes tissue
of slaughter bulls with natural neosporosis. To the best of our
knowledge, no longitudinal studies are available in which the
association between sperm quality parameters and peripheral
Neospora antibody titers has been assessed. Our study aimed
to assess the potential impact of a natural infection with N.
caninum on the sperm quality of fresh and frozen/thawed se-
men of Belgian Blue Bulls located in Belgium, taking sperm
samples harvested over a 1-year period into consideration.
Materials and methods: The present study took place
from January 3rd till December 31st 2020. In total 92 Belgian
Blue bulls kept for breeding purposes, spread over three lo-
cations of the Artificial Insemination Centre “Association Wal-
lonne De L'Elevage” (AWE, Ciney, Belgium) were used in this
study. Every two months, each bull was serologically screened
for N. caninum antibodies. Only semen data of bulls that were
six times negative or positive for N. caninum antibodies, were
included in the study.
Semen ejaculates were collected with an artificial vagina
twice weekly. In total 10.478 ejaculates of the 92 bulls were
included, with 9.537 fresh samples originating from Neospora
negative (n=84) and 941 from positive (n=8) bulls. Outcome
variables assessed for the fresh samples included: concen-
tration, volume, and subjective motility. Only semen samples
with more than 60% of total sperm motility and concentrations
higher than 0.3x 109 sperm cells/ml (n= 7.685 being 7.018 orig-
inating from Neospora negative bulls and 667 from positive
bulls) were further extended and frozen. Immediately after
thawing, total motility, progressive motility, and morphology
were assessed.
Sperm parameters were used as the dependent variable of
355
ORAL — Reproduction in Beef Cattle
interest. Generalized linear and binomial mixed models were
used for statistical analysis of each outcome variable. Initial-
ly, individual explanatory variables age, herd, Temperature
Humidity Index (THI) at the moment of sperm production as
well as collection, and season of sperm production and col-
lection, as well as the Neospora caninum antibody test results
were tested in univariable models for each outcome variable.
Akaike information criterion (AIC) values were used to select
explanatory variables to build the multivariable model, where
the Neospora caninum test result was forced in all models.
Results: Results revealed an overall apparent seroprev-
alence of Neospora caninum of 9,2% in our tested bull group.
For fresh semen: volume (negative N. caninum samples:
6,60 ml ± 2,55 ml; positive N. caninum samples: 6,28 ml ± 3,28
ml) and concentration (negative: 1.395,23x106 sperm cells/ml
± 493,77 x106 sperm cells/ml; positive: 1.471,53 x106 sperm
cells/ml ± 532,41x106 sperm cells/ml) were normally distribut-
ed, where the subjective motility (negative: 64,29% ± 14,71%;
positive: 61,21%± 12,94%) was right skewed. After freezing:
total motility (negative: 45,11% ±11,60%; positive: 44,47%
± 12,49%), progressive motility (negative: 26,28% ± 8,17%;
positive: 27,11% ± 8,81%) and normal morphology (negative:
96,03%± 2,53%; positive: 95,90%± 2,38%) were normally dis-
tributed.
Although there were numerical differences in the descrip-
tive results for some outcome variables, no significant associ-
ations were detected between natural neosporosis, substanti-
ated by ELISA-antibody levels, and any of our tested outcome
variables on fresh and frozen/thawed semen samples.
Conclusions: Results suggest no significantly negative
association between N. caninum and any of the tested out-
come variables in the fresh nor in the frozen-thawed semen
samples. Current evidence that N. caninum seropositive bulls
have lower semen quality or semen production is therefore
unlikely. Based on these results, there appears to be no rea-
son to advise against the rearing and use for mating of bulls
that are seropositive for N. caninum, but extensive field fertility
studies should further confirm this.
Keywords: Belgian Blue Bulls; Neospora caninum; semen
quality parameters.
RB-04
Effects of single treatment with low doses of hCG in timed
AI protocols on: follicle growth dynamics, ovulatory
dispersion and ovulation rate on Nellore cows
Henderson Ayres1, Joao Paulo Barbuio1, Carlos Antônio De Carvalho
Fernandes2, Francisco Barufi1, Heitor Amaral1, Rodolfo Mingoti1.
1
MSD Saude Animal, São Paulo, Brazil; 2Biotran Biotecnologia Animal
LTDA, Alfenas, Brazil.
Objectives: Postpartum anoestrus is very prominent in
Nellore cows and has a negative effect on reproductive re-
sults in the breeding session. The objective of this study was
to evaluate follicle growth dynamics, ovulatory dispersion and
ovulation rate in postpartum Nelore (Bos taurus indicus) cows
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
356
receiving low doses of hCG (Chorulon™ MSD- Brazil) vs eCG
(Folligon™ MSD- Brazil) after progesterone device withdrawal
on a timed AI protocol.
Materials and methods: A total of 42 anestrous (absence
of CL at the first day of the FTAI protocol) Nelore cows, with
average BCS of 2.73±0.05 (scale 0-5) and at 42 to 83 days
postpartum were treated on day 0 with 2 mg of estradiol ben-
zoate (Fertilcare Sincronização™, MSD-Brazil) and received
an intravaginal progesterone (P4) device (Fertilcare 600®,
MSD). On day 8, 12h before device withdrawal, an ultrasound
evaluation was performed. Cows were homogeneously ran-
domized to four treatment groups according to the highest
follicle diameter. At the moment of the intravaginal P4-device
removal all cows were treated with 0.5 mg Cloprostenol (Ci-
osin®, MSD), 1 mg of estradiol benzoate, and then random-
ized to receive either saline (Control Group, n = 8), 100 IU of
hCG (Chorulon®, MSD, hCG-100 Group, n = 14), 150 IU of
hCG (Chorulon®, MSD, hCG-150 Group, n = 11) or 300 IU
of eCG (Folligon®, MSD, eCG Group, n = 9). Subsequently,
ultrasound examinations were performed at 12h intervals un-
til 96h post P4-device removal, in order to evaluate follicular
growth and time of ovulation. Data for ovulatory dispersion and
ovulation rate were analyzed by least-squares ANOVA with
the PROC GLIMMIX procedure of SAS (v. 9.4; SAS Institute
Inc., Cary, NC). Orthogonal contrasts were used to compare
follicle growth means (C1=Control vs Gonadotropins; C2 =
eCG vs hCG; C3=100 IU of hCG vs 150 IU of hCG).
Results: There were no differences in time to ovulation
and distribution of ovulations across time among groups
(51.6±0.82h; P>0.95). There were no differences in ovulation
rate [83,3% (35/42); P=0.81]. Dominant follicle growth within
24h periods was greater on cows treated with gonadotrophic
hormones than the Control Group [gonadotropins = 2.28 mm
d-1; Saline = 0.18 mm d-1; P=0.001 (C1)], but hCG and eCG
treatments had similar results [hCG = 0.96 mm d-1; eCG = 0.75
mm d-1; P=0.81 (C2)] and different doses of hCG (100 IU vs
150 IU) had similar growth [150 IU of hCG = 1.05 mm d-1; 100
IU of hCG = 0.75 mm d-1; P=0.26 (C3)].
Conclusion: In conclusion, different doses of hCG and
eCG treatments resulted in similar dispersions between the
first and last ovulations, and similar ovulation rates and follic-
ular growth development rates after P4-device removal. Both
gonadotrophic treatments (hCG and eCG) resulted in higher
follicular growth rates than follicles in cows that did not receive
a gonadotrophic stimulus.
Keywords: Anestrous, Bos indicus, Gonadotrophic, Post-
partum, Ovarian Activity.
 ORAL — Reproduction in Beef Cattle

RB-05 Maturity Development

Age (months) Phase
index (%) index (%)
Reproductive program in Avileña-Negra Iberica breed 0 6,5 57 Birth
heifers (AECRANI) for an age programmed to the first
3 18,2 65  
birth of 2.5 years
7 33,6 74 Weaning
Pablo Iglesias Santiago1, Mar González Muñoz2, Javier López 9 39,2 80 Recribed
Cordero2, P. Herraiz Espinosa2, Almuneda Cabezas Albéniz3, Vicente 12 47,6 85 Recribed
Jimeno Vinatea4.
14 52,0 85 Recribed
INSAVET - Investigación y sanidad veterinaria, Salamanca, Spain;
1
16 56,4 88 Puberty
Asociación Española de Criadores de Ganado Vacuno Selecto de
2
19 63,0 89 Coverage
Raza Avileña Negra Ibérica AECRANI, Ávila, Spain; 3Facultad de 21 67,4 90 Gestation
Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain; 4E.T.S.I.A.A.B., 27 78,8 100  
Universidad Politécnica, Madrid, Spain.
30 85,0 100 1 postpartum week
LWA = Adult reproductive live weight; WHA = Adult reproductive
Objectives: To evaluate the reproductive efficiency of an withers height
assisted reproduction program based on estrus synchroni-
zation and fixed time artificial insemination (FTAI) in heifers
The average age of the heifers at insemination was 18.4
of the Avileña-Negra Iberica breed (ANI) for an average age
± 2.9 months, with an average live weight of 395.7 ± 56.5 kg,
programmed at the first birth of 30 months. The reproductive
withers height of 127.4 ± 4.1 cm and an average corporal
model consisted of an estrus synchronization and through a
condition of 3.0 ± 0.4 points. The average age, average live
Presynch + CIDR Cosynch and FTAI protocol with natural mat-
weight, withers height and corporal condition of the heifers of
ing (NM) after 15 post-insemination. each livestock at the moment of artificial insemination (AI) are
Materials and methods: The program has been conduct- shown in table 2.
ed with a sample of 94 ANI heifers from five livestock, located Table 3 describes the synchronization protocol (Presynch
in the provinces of Salamanca, Ávila and Segovia (Castilla y + CIDR Cosynch) applied to the heifers of the different live-
León). stock in the study.
At the moment of insemination, all the heifers from the After 15 days of the AI, the stallions were introduced in the
sample complied with the maturity and development index different livestock to review by means of natural mating (NM)
proposed by AECRANI (table 1). the heifers that were not pregnant in the AI. The diagnosis of
Table 1. Recommendations AECRANI of the maturity and pregnancy was made by ultrasonography 70 days post-AI,
development index in heifers of ANI breed, for PPE of 30 thus confirming the pregnant heifers.
months of age (PVA = 650 kg, AA = 1.40 m). Results: Through the reproduction program used in this
study, the average gestation rate in all livestock was 72.9%.

Table 2. Age, live weight, withers height and corporal condition of the ANI heifers of the different livestock studied at the time of AI.
Livestock
  Livestock II Livestock III Livestock IV Livestock V
I
Number of heifers 34 11 12 20 17
Age, months 18,2±1,1 18,0±1,5 19,4±4,2 15,62±0,3 21,6±3,4
Live weight, kg 395,5±43,6 420,1±26,5 346,8±41,8 354,6±29,6 463,2±52,7
Withers Height, cm 125,5±3,7 126,6±3,4 126,8±3,4 127,6±3,9 131,8±2,9
Corporal condition 2,8±0,4 3,1±0,2 3,1±0,3 2,9±0,2 3,3±0,3

Table 3. Estrous synchronization and protocol in ANI heifers.

Presynch   14 d Day 0 5d Day 5 1d Day 6 2d Day 8
+
Aplication Retired
CIDR Cosynch           FTAI
CIDR CIDR
PGF2α   GnRH   PGF2α   PGF2α + eCG   GnRH

Table 4. Percentage of pregnant heifers after the application of the reproduction program with IATF.
Livestock Livestock Livestock Livestock Livestock
 
I II III IV V
Number of heifers 34 11 12 20 17
Age AI, months 18,2±1,1 18,0±1,5 19,4±4,2 15,62±0,3 21,6±3,4
Pregnant rate, % 91,2 63,6 91,7 65,0 52,9

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ORAL — Reproduction in Beef Cattle

Table 4 shows the gestation rate in the different livestock that to goiter and chondrodystrophy independently.
have taken part in the study. Keywords: Iodine, manganese, mineral, deficiency, hypo-
Conclusions: The use of a reproductive program based thyroidism.
on the estrus synchronization and “Presynch + CIDR Cosynch”
and IATF, in combination with the introduction of stallions for
natural mating 15 days after insemination, is a recommended
method in ANI heifers at the first birth of 30 months of age, giv-
en the excellent rate of pregnant heifers obtained in this study.
Keywords: Avileña-Negra, Synchronization, Insemina-
tion, Heifers, Birth.

RB-06

An outbreak of congenital goiter and chondrodystrophy

among calves born to spring-calving beef cows
Elizabeth R. Homerosky1, Megan Johnsen1, Mei Steinmann2, Carling
Matejka2, Michael J. Jelinski1.
Veterinary Agri-Health Services, Ltd., Airdrie, Canada; 2University of
1

Calgary, Calgary, Canada.

Objectives: An outbreak of concurrent congenital diffuse

hyperplastic goiter and chondrodystrophy occurred at a com-
mercial cow-calf operation in southern Alberta during spring
2018 (Homerosky et al., 2019). All affected calves were born
to mature Angus cows and sired by one of two half-sibling
mature Red Angus bulls. Matings during the previous four
breeding seasons resulted in apparently normal calves. The
objective was to investigate non-genetic etiologies of congen-
ital goiter and chondrodystrophy.
Materials and methods: The herd was on pasture until
November 2017 when they were transitioned to a ration com-
prised of wrapped high-moisture barley greenfeed bales and
mixed grass hay bales. No supplemental trace minerals or vi-
tamins were provided during the winter feeding period. Twenty
of 35 calves born between April 5th and June 5 th, 2018 were
affected with goiter and generalized weakness in the presence
or absence of varying degrees of chondrodystrophy. Incidence
of stillbirths and neonatal deaths (N=7) and severity of clinical
signs decreased as calving season progressed. All dams were
in good body condition and appeared clinically healthy.
Results: Three deceased affected calves submitted for
additional diagnostics tested negative for bovine herpesvirus,
Leptospira spp., Neospora caninum, and bovine viral diar-
rhea. Liver concentration for iron was high, manganese was
low, and cobalt was deficient in multiple calves. Cobalt may
serve as a proxy for iodine as these two minerals must be
supplemented continuously to cattle in Alberta. As such, iodine
deficiency was determined to be the cause of goiter in these
calves. The herd was treated by providing trace minerals with
added ethylenediamine dihydroiodide.
Conclusions: Although congenital goiter and chondrodys-
trophy are observed globally in several species, there is a pau-
city of reports describing concurrent manifestations, especially
in calves. In the current outbreak, it is unclear if hypothyroid-
ism impaired normal fetal growth and development or if multi-
ple concurrent mineral deficiencies predisposed these calves

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358

RD-01
Effect of treatment of phantom cows with a progesterone-
based synchrony programme
Greg Chambers1, Mat O'Sullivan2, Chris Compton3.
Zoetis New Zealand, Auckland, New Zealand; 2Veterinary Centre,
1
Oamaru, New Zealand; 3Massey University, Palmerston North, New
Zealand.
Objectives: To determine the effect of a progester-
one-based synchrony programme on the daily hazard of con-
ception and the probability of being pregnant at the end of
the seasonal mating period in cows not observed in oestrus
within 35–49 days of insemination and that were diagnosed
non-pregnant (phantom cows) on seasonally-calving New
Zealand dairy farms. Secondary aims were to determine the
phantom cow prevalence and estimate the proportion of phan-
tom cows with a functional corpus luteum (CL) at enrolment.
Material & Methods: Phantom cows from 14 New Zea-
land commercial dairy farms were enrolled in a randomised
controlled trial. Cows that were artificially inseminated ≤14
days after mating start date and were not subsequently detect-
ed in oestrus were presented for pregnancy diagnosis approx-
imately 49 days after mating start date. Non-pregnant cows
were diagnosed as phantom cows and randomly allocated to
treatment and control groups. A milk sample was collected for
progesterone assay to determine the presence of a functional
CL. Treatment consisted of an injection of buserelin and inser-
tion of an intravaginal device containing progesterone on day
0, injections of dinoprost and equine chorionic gonadotrophin
and removal of the intravaginal device on day 7, injection of
buserelin on day 9, and fixed time artificial insemination on
day 10. Treatment group cows were then mixed with bulls for
the remainder of the seasonal mating period. Cows allocated
to the control group were mated naturally by bulls. Statistical
models were constructed to determine the effect of treatment
on the daily hazard of conception and the probability of being
pregnant at the end of the seasonal mating period.
Results: A total of 378/4,214 (9.0%) cows presented for
pregnancy diagnosis were diagnosed as phantom cows. A
functional CL was diagnosed in 257/362 (71.0%) phantom
cows. Median predicted enrolment to conception intervals
were 33 (95% CI= 30-45) and 30 (95% CI= 28-33) days re-
spectively for cows in the control and treatment groups re-
spectively. The odds of being pregnant at the end of mating
were 1.70 (95% CI= 1.34-2.17) times greater for treated phan-
tom cows than untreated phantom cows. Estimated marginal
mean proportion pregnant at mating end date were 59.5 (95%
CI= 47.9-70.1) % and 71.5 (95% CI= 62.6-79.0) % for control
and treatment group cows respectively.
Conclusion: Treatment with a progesterone-based syn-
chrony programme significantly increased the probability of
phantom cows being pregnant at the end of the seasonal mat-
ing period.
Keywords: Phantom cow, dairy cattle, reproduction.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Reproduction in Dairy Cattle
RD-02
Evaluating the cost-effectiveness of diagnosing and treating
phantom cows in seasonal-calving dairy herds
Greg Chambers1, Mat O'Sullivan2, Carolyn Gates3.
Zoetis New Zealand, Auckland, New Zealand; 2Veterinary Centre,
1
Oamaru, New Zealand; 3Massey University, Palmerston North, New
Zealand.
Objectives: The objective of this study was to explore the
cost-effectiveness of using a progesterone-based synchro-
ny program to manage phantom cows on seasonal-calving
dairy farms. Phantom cows were defined as cows that had
been artificially inseminated ≤14 days after mating start date
(MSD), were not subsequently detected in estrus, and were
diagnosed non-pregnant at a pregnancy diagnosis conducted
approximately 49 days after MSD.
Material & Methods: Decision-tree analysis was applied
to data from a previous randomized controlled trial in which
phantom cows (n=378) from spring-calving dairy farms were
randomly allocated to an untreated control group or were im-
mediately treated with a 10-day progesterone-based synchro-
ny program with fixed-time artificial insemination. The net eco-
nomic return of treating all cows presented by the farmer for
pregnancy diagnosis that were diagnosed non-pregnant was
compared to no intervention. The net return was therefore cal-
culated per cow present at MSD because the decision trees
followed all cows present at MSD through to mating end date
to account for farmers inadvertently presenting ineligible cows
for pregnancy diagnosis and possible treatment. Probabilities,
costs and benefits of reproductive outcomes were based on
published data and expert opinion. The effects of key parame-
ters on the economic return were tested by sensitivity analysis.
Results: Phantom cow intervention delivered a net re-
turn of NZ $4.51 per cow present at MSD. The sensitivity of
pregnancy diagnosis, proportion of ineligible cows presented
by the farmer for pregnancy diagnosis and the prevalence of
phantom cows were highly influential on the net economic re-
turn from phantom cow intervention.
Conclusion: These findings suggest that treatment of phan-
tom cows in seasonal-calving dairy farms using a progester-
one-based synchrony program is economically viable based
on the current model assumptions. Accurate cow selection
and pregnancy diagnosis are essential to success. Veterinar-
ians can improve the net economic return by selecting farms
likely to have a higher prevalence of phantom cows based on
the presence of observable risk factors.
Keywords: Phantom cows, Reproduction, Estrus Syn-
chronization, Economics, Decision Tree Analysis.
359
ORAL — Reproduction in Dairy Cattle
RD-03
Embryo production in dairy cattle after superovulation
with gonadotrophin preparation- effect of variability in
FSH/LH ratio-
Santiago Fuentes Ibañez1, Ana Sierra Toral2, Eugenio Liébana3, Juan
Carlos Boixo Pérez-Holanda4, Fernando De La Fuente Crespo5.
1
Aberekin, S,A., Derio, Vizcaya, Spain., Derio, Vizcaya, Spain; 2Selection
and Animal Reproduction Center (CENSYRA), Villaquilambre, León,
Spain., Villaquilambre (LEÓN), Spain; 3Embryo Transfer Unit of
Cantabria, Torrelavega, Cantabria. Spain, Torrelavega, Cantabria,
Spain; 4Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of León, León,
Spain, LEÓN, Spain; 5Department of Animal Production. Faculty of
Veterinary Medicine, University of León, León, Spain, LEÓN, Spain.
Introduction and objectives: Ovarian superstimulation of
dairy heifers and cows is a practical tool to increase offspring
from females of high genetic merit. The success of superovu-
lation and embryo recovery in cattle depends on numerous
factors but one of the most significant limiting factor has been
the high between-individual variability, in the ovarian response
to gonadotropin stimulation. (Mikkola & Taponen, 2017).
Currently the gonadotrophins preparations approved for
veterinary use derive from porcine and ovine pituitary tissue.
One of the disadvantage resulting from the nature of the origin
of the products is inconsistency among batches. This variation
in bioactivity affects embryo yield (Kanitz et al. 2002).
The more important question is the possible biological ef-
fect of the so called FSH/LH ratio. Variability in FSH:LH ra-
tios among different batches of one product of commercially
available gonadotrophins is a very important challange that
deserves to be considered. Because of this, the objective of
this study was to compare the outcome of embryo recovery
after superovulation with purified porcine pituitary extracts with
different FSH:LH ratios, using a standard protocol of eight in-
jections in a decreasing dose in cows and heifers.
Materials and methods: Data of 465 superovulations and
subsequent embryo collections from Spanish dairy farms were
analyzed. Donor animals were cows (n= 222) (47.74%), and
heifers (n= 243) (52.26%) of Holstein breed.
Superovulation was induced by eight intramuscular injec-
tions of gonadotrophin preparation, at 12-hour intervals over
4 days. Declining doses of 650 to 1000 IU in total was ad-
ministered for cows, whereas heifers received 500 to 750 IU.
Embryos were collected 7 days after inseminations by trans-
cervical uterine flushing according to the IETS guidelines.
Donors were randomly divided into three groups (I, II and
III), according to treatment they had received because of differ-
ent FSH:LH ratio in follicle-stimulating hormone preparation:
Group I (T1): (n= 362) Donors stimulated with a batch in
which FSH:LH ratio was ≥ 1
Group II (T2): (n= 56) Donors stimulated with a batch in
which FSH:LH ratio was <1 to ≥ 0.9
Group III (T3): (n= 47) Donors stimulated with a batch in
which FSH:LH ratio is < 0.9
Statistical analyses: With the aim of studying factors that
influence on number total recovered embryos variation; num-
ber viable embryos and number of quality 1 embryos variation,
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
360
statistical analyses were carried out using lineal models (GLM
procedure in SAS version 9.1.3, SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC).
The variance factors analyzed were: type of donor (heifer or
cow) and treatment (T1, T2, T3).
Results: The average values for the analyzed variables
were: number of total embryos recovered (10.28±0.32), num-
ber of viable embryos (5.66±0.23) and number of quality 1 em-
bryos (2.83±0.12).
The donor type factor (heifer of cow), was not significant
for the three variables analyzed, however the treatment effect
was significant for the number of viable embryos (p <0.05) and
for the number of quality 1 embryos.
There was no effect (P=0.08) of different FSH:LH ratios
of gonadotrophins on mean of total embryos recovered be-
tween Groups I, II, III (10.53 ± 0.37 vs. 9.73 ± 0.94 vs. 9.25 ±
1.03 respectively).
There was a main effect of different FSH:LH ratios used for
superovulation in present trial (P = 0.0004), on viable embry-
os obtained between Group I (FSH:LH ratio ≥1), with highest
value (6.06 ± 0.26) and group III (FSH:LH ratio < 0.90) with
lowest (3.26 ± 0.73). The mean showed of Group II (FSH:LH
ratio: <1 to ≥0.90) (5.07±0.67) tended (P=0.07), respect to
Group III value.
There was also a significant effect of the treatment on the
number of quality 1 embryos: donors of Group III had lesser
number (1.81 ± 0.38) than Group II (2.68 ± 0.35) (P=0.09) and
Group I (2.98 ± 0.13) (P=0.0043).
Conclusions: The number of viable and quality 1 em-
bryos recovered resulted in significantly increased in donors
stimulated with a batch of gonadotrophin preparation in which
FSH:LH ratio was ≥ 1 respect to those obtained from females
superovulated with a batch which ratio of FSH:LH was < 0.9.
These results suggested that relative high LH contami-
nation in gonadotrophin preparations impairs the ovarian re-
sponse to superstimulation, resulting in decreased yield of
viable and quality 1 embryos.
Keywords: FSH/LH ratio, SOV, embryo, cattle.
RD-04
Quantification of reproductive hormone use in Dutch dairy
herds: "From no treatment to excessive use"
Savannah Van Der Laan1, Bart Van Den Borne2, Peter Vos1, Hilde
Aardema1, Tine Van Werven1.
Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands;
1
WUR, Wageningen,
2
Netherlands.
Objectives: Globally, reproductive hormones are used
in the dairy industry to increase reproductive efficiency and,
hence, to increase the longevity of dairy cows. The number
of treatments seems to vary significantly between herds, but
exact numbers on reproductive hormone use are lacking for
most countries. Variation between countries appears to be
highly dependent on a farm’s management system, includ-
ing the type of calving pattern used. In the Netherlands, the

calving pattern is year-round and, consequently, hormonal
treatments tend to be prescribed at the cow level based on
diagnostics rather than by using timed artificial insemination
protocols at herd level.
Consumers’ growing interest in food safety and cases of
pharmaceutical product misuse have resulted in scepticism
among the public regarding the use of antimicrobials and hor-
mones in modern farming, although direct negative effects of
reproductive hormones are not described. Transparency in the
process of milk production, including insight into key perfor-
mance indicators and medicinal treatments, is a strong and
effective tool in influencing social opinions and acceptance of
modern dairy farming.
The aim of this study was to estimate reproductive hor-
mone use on year-round calving dairy farms under Dutch cir-
cumstances and to obtain insight into a number of herd-level
factors that are associated with this reproductive hormone use.
Materials and methods: The use of three commonly used
reproductive hormones, namely prostaglandins, GnRH and
progesterone, and associated herd-level factors were studied
on 760 Dutch dairy farms selected from 5 veterinary clinics.
From 2017 to 2019, data on the registered sales of reproduc-
tive hormones were collected and converted into the num-
ber of reproductive hormone doses based on the prescribed
amount of product per treatment on the package leaflet. The
total number of doses was expressed as the annual number
of reproductive hormone doses per 100 adult dairy cows. Ad-
ditional herd-level information, including milking system and
participation in veterinary herd health management (VHHM)
programs, was available for 2019. Due to the excess of ze-
ros in the dataset (i.e., a substantial number of nonusers), ze-
ro-inflated negative binomial models were used to associate
herd-level factors with the use of reproductive hormones.
Results: In the entire study period from 2017 to 2019,
5.8% of the dairy farms did not use any reproductive hor-
mones, varying between 0.0 and 10.3% per veterinary clinic.
This proportion of nonusers was around 13.5% on an annual
basis. Prostaglandins were the most frequently used reproduc-
tive hormone in Dutch dairy cows (62.9%), followed by GnRH
(33.1%) and progesterone (4.0%). In 2019, the total number of
reproductive hormone doses per 100 adult dairy cows ranged
from 0 to 248. The mean number of doses per 100 adult dairy
cows was 40.6, and its median was 32.8. Similar observations
were made regarding the distribution of reproductive hormone
use in 2017 and 2018. Furthermore, farms participating in a
VHHM program used more reproductive hormones than farms
that did not participate in such a VHHM program and these
farms were also a minority in the nonuser group. Technolo-
gies, such as pedometers and automatic milking systems, also
had an effect on reproductive hormone use. The presence of
pedometers or activity monitors on farms was more common
in the group of farmers with reproductive hormone use. Farms
with an automatic milking system used more reproductive hor-
mones than farms equipped with a conventional milking sys-
tem, while organic herds used less reproduction hormones.
Lastly, hormone use was more common in larger herds com-
pared to smaller herds.
Conclusions: The veterinary clinics and farms varied re-
garding their use of reproductive hormones, indicating room
for optimization regarding the use of hormones on a number of
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Reproduction in Dairy Cattle
farms. Farm characteristics were associated with greater use
of reproductive hormones. This study is a first step to achieve
transparency in the Dutch dairy industry by providing an ob-
jective overview of reproductive hormone use on dairy farms
and its association with a number of herd-level factors. Further
research will be needed to estimate the effect of reproductive
hormone interventions on cow level and, hence, the impact on
reproductive performance of the herd.
Keywords: Hormone treatment, reproduction, dairy.
RD-05
Progesterone based heifer re-synchrony in an extensive
pasture grazing system: A case study
Kristen Baxter1, Luke Smyth2, Gregory Chambers3.
1
Zoetis New Zealand, Christchurch, New Zealand; 2Oamaru Veterinary
Services, Oamaru, New Zealand; 3Epivet Ltd., Te Awamutu, New
Zealand.
Objective: The objective of this study was to determine if
a synchrony/re-synchrony programme would prove effective in
achieving a pregnancy rate of >85% in 3 cycles.
New Zealand dairy heifers are typically raised in extensive
pasture based grazing systems. These systems often pre-
clude artificial insemination (AI) from being used throughout
the mating period due to the inability to carry out extended pe-
riods of daily heat detection. However, with the eradication of
Mycoplasma bovis currently underway in New Zealand, some
farmers are reluctant to use bulls of often unknown prove-
nance for their heifers.
Materials and Methods: 140 nulliparous approximately
15-month old dairy heifers from a single farm were used for
the study. All heifers received gonadotrophin-releasing hor-
mone (GnRH) intramuscularly (I/M) on Day -9, a progesterone
(P4)-releasing intravaginal device [1.38g CIDR®] from Days
-9 to -2, prostaglandin F2α (PGF) I/M on Day -2 and a second
dose of GnRH I/M as well as fixed time artificial insemination
(FTAI) on Day 0 (Co-Synch). On Day 14, all heifers were re-
synchronized with insertion of a new progesterone device,
which was removed at Day 21. From Day 22-26 heifers were
mated to detected heat. On Day 35, all heifers were pregnan-
cy tested using rectal ultrasonography, and divided into three
groups. All heifers diagnosed as pregnant were removed from
the programme (Group 1). All heifers not diagnosed pregnant,
but which had been mated at Days 22-25 (Group 2: possibly
pregnant) were treated with a new progesterone device from
Day 35 to Day 42. These devices were removed at day 42,
and heifers were mated to detected heat for Days 43-46. Heif-
ers which were not visibly pregnant at Day 35 and which had
also not been mated on day 22-26 (Group 3) received another
Co-Synch programme followed by FTAI on day 44. The final
pregnancy test was carried out on Day 74.
Results: 123/135 (91%) of heifers which completed the
trial conceived over the 46-day mating period. The submission
rate (heifers mated/heifers not pregnant and available for mat-
ing) was >90% in both re-synchrony cycles. The conception
361
ORAL — Reproduction in Dairy Cattle
rate (heifers pregnant/heifers mated) in cycle 1 (Day 0) was
64%, in cycle 2 (Days 22-26) was 52% and in cycle 3 (Days
42-46) was 67%.
Conclusions: The heifer re-synchrony programme used
was successful in achieving a >85% pregnancy rate in three
cycles of mating in an extensive pasture based grazing sys-
tem.
This study was approved by the Kaiawhina Animal Ethics
Committee, Palmerston North, New Zealand. CIDR is a regis-
tered trade mark of InterAg. ACVM No. A4559
Keywords: Dairy cattle, synchrony, re-synchrony, heifer,
progesterone device.
RD-06
Association between infectious diseases with late embryonic
losses in supplemented grazing dairy cow
Luis Ernesto Quintero Rodriguez1, Germán Domínguez2, María
Fiorella Alvarado3, Gabriel Travería3, Rodolfo Luzbel De La Sota1,
Laura Vanina Madoz1, Mauricio Javier Giuliodori1.
1
Instituto de Investigaciones en Reproducción Animal (INIRA),
Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata
(FCV-UNLP), 30, Argentina; 2Actividad Privada, 4, Argentina; 3Centro
de Diagnóstico e Investigaciones Veterinarias, Facultad de Ciencias
Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, 15, Argentina.
Objectives: To evaluate the association between Bovine
Viral Diarrhea (BVD) and Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis
(IBR) with the odds for late embryonic losses (LEL) in supple-
mented grazing dairy cows in Argentina.
Materials and Methods: A prospective cohort study was
carried out in a commercial dairy herd, located in Carlos Casa-
res, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina (35°37′ S, 61°22′ W)
to assess the associations between seroprevalence and sero-
conversion to BVD and IBR with the odds for LEL. Cows hav-
ing embryo with no heartbeat, or with detached membranes
or floating structures including embryo remnants detected by
ultrasonography (US) at 28-42 days post-AI were defined as
LEL, whereas cows diagnosed with positive pregnancy by US
28-42 d post-AI were considered as non-LEL. A total of 92
cows were selected for the study (46 LEL and 46 Non-LEL).
All the cows were bled twice 28 days apart (0 and 28 d). The
day 0 corresponded to the day when every cow with LEL or
non-LEL was diagnosed. Serological titers were determined
by Virus Neutralization Test (titers were from 1:2 up to 1:2048,
and from 1:2 up to 1:512 for BVDV and IBR, respectively).
Seroconversion was considered when titers at d 28 were 3X
higher than at d 0. The conceptus from LEL cows was sam-
pled (day 0) with an insemination pistol attached to a 10 mL
syringe, stored in a vial with RNAlater, and transported to the
laboratory. Subsequently, the aspirated conceptuses from LEL
cows that seroconverted were processed for virus identifica-
tion by PCR. Logistic regression models were used to assess
the association between serological titers for BVD and IBR (as
continuous predictors) with the odds for LEL, and the associa-
tion between seroconversion to BVD and IBR (yes vs. no) with
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
362
the odds for LEL. Logistic models were run with Proc Glimmix
of SAS with binomial distribution and logit link function.
Results: At d 0, the seroprevalences for BVD and IBR
were 100% (46/46) for LEL and non-LEL cows. At d 28, the
seroprevalence for BVDV was also 100% (46/46) for LEL
and non-LEL cows, whereas the seroprevalence for IBR was
93.4% (43/46) and 82.6% (38/46) for LEL and non-LEL cows,
respectively. Seroconversion to BVD was 20.0% (9/46) and
6.6% (3/46) for LEL and non-LEL cows, whereas seroconver-
sion to IBR was 4.4% (2/46) and 2.2% (1/46) for LEL and non-
LEL cows. The odds for LEL was associated with BVD at d 28
(P = 0.03) given that the risk increased 3.44 times per 1 SD of
increment in titer over the mean. The odds for LEL was also
associated with seroconversion to BVD (P = 0.09) given that
the risk was 3.27 times higher in cows that seroconverted than
in herd-mates that did not. Conversely, neither IBR at d 28 nor
seroconversion to IBR were associated with the odds for LEL.
Finally, the BVD virus was identified in all the conceptuses
from LEL cows that seroconverted (9/46).
Conclusion: We concluded that seroconversion to BVD is
associated with increased risk for LEL in grazing dairy cows. In
addition, the BVD virus can be detected in conceptuses from
cows diagnosed with LEL that seroconverted to BVD 28 d lat-
er.
Keywords: Bovine Viral Diarrhea, Infectious Bovine Rhi-
notracheitis, Late embryonic loss, Dairy cows.
RD-07
Risk factors for anovulation and its association with
reproductive performance in a herd of grazing dairy cows
German Ariel Dominguez1, Santiago Gerardo Corva2, Eduardo
Ravera1, Santiago Martin Perez Wallace3, Mauricio Javier Giuliodori2,
Rodolfo Luzbel De La Sota4.
1
Private Practice, Venado Tuerto, Santa Fe, Argentina; 2Facultad de
Ciencias Veterinarias-UNLP, La Plata, Argentina; 3Zoetis Argentina
SA, Villa Adelina, Argentina; 4Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias-
UNLP; CONICET, La Plata, Argentina.
Objective: The objectives of this study were to assess the
risk factors for anovulation and its association with reproduc-
tive performance in a herd of grazing dairy cows.
Material and Methods: A retrospective cohort study, in-
cluding a total of 15,846 records of cows calving from Jan-
uary 1st, 2010 to December 31st, 2016, from a dairy farm in
Argentina (~2800 milking cows) was run. Included records
were those having an episode of anovulation diagnosed by
ultrasonography at 50-64 day postpartum (dpp, n=3,975) and
those not having an episode of anovulation that were consid-
ered as cyclic (n=11,871). The odds for anovulation at 50-64
dpp was tested with a Logistic Regression Model that included
the fixed effects of calving season (spring [SP], summer [SU],
autumn [AU], winter [WI]), parity (PAR 1, 2, 3+), and disease
status during the first 50-64 dpp (healthy [HEALTHY, no health
events], reproductive [REPRO, retention of fetal membranes,
puerperal metritis, clinical endometritis, and pyometra],

non-reproductive [NOREPRO, clinical mastitis, clinical lame-
ness], both [BOTH]). Additionally, the association between
anovulation (yes vs. no) with reproductive performance was
tested with a Kaplan-Mayer survival analysis through calving
to conception interval (DOPEN).
Results: The occurrence of anovulation at 50-64 dpp was
25.1%. The risk for anovulation (odds ratio [OR], 95 percent
confidence interval [95%CI]) was higher in cows that calved
in autumn (1.388 [1.235-1.558]), winter (1.717 [1.525-1.929])
and spring (2.339 [2.080-2.631])than in cows that calved
in summer (P<0.001). The risk was lower in cows of parity
2 (0.845 [0.765-0.935]) and 3+ (0.988 [0.898-1.087])than in
those of parity 1 (P <0.001); and lastly, the risk for anovula-
tion tended to increase with REP events (1.088 [0.977-1.211]),
and increased with NREP events (1.609 [1.454-1.780]) and
with both events (1.715 [1.501-1.960]; P <0.001). Regard-
ing reproductive performance, anovulatory cows had a more
DOPEN than cyclic cows (164.56±2.32 vs. 123.20±1.11;
P<0.001). The REPRO events (126.08±1.84), NOREPRO
events (144.23±1.84), and BOTH events (149.51±3.03) had
more DOPEN than HEALTHY cows (123.20±1.11, P<0.001).
Conclusions: In conclusion, the risk for anovulation is
affected by season, given that it is higher in cows calved in
autumn, winter, and spring than in those calved in summer;
and by parity, due to the risk is higher in primiparous cows
multiparous ones. In addition, anovulatory cows have a longer
calving to conception interval than cyclic herd mates.
Keywords: Anovulation, risk factors, reproductive efficien-
cy, days open, grazing dairy cows.
RD-08
Relationship between reproductive performance and
Q-fever in dairy herds in Brittany (France)
Vincent Jegou1, Grégoire Kuntz2, Bertrand Maynard1, Jérôme
Caudrillier3, Philippe Gisbert1.
1
Ceva Santé Animale, Libourne, France; 2GDS Bretagne / Innoval,
Poufragan, France; 3Evolution / Innoval, Noyal sur Vilaine, France.
Objectives: Coxiella burnetii is a small intracellular bacte-
rium responsible for Q Fever in animals and humans. In cattle,
Q fever is a major cause of abortion: 2nd cause according to
the French observatory of the causes of abortion in ruminants
(OSCAR). But this disease is also responsible for low fertility.
GDS Bretagne is a farmer association helping farmers to
manage sanitary issues, including abortions and fertility dis-
orders. Evolution is an Artificial Insemination Company oper-
ating in the same area. These two companies together with
Ceva Santé Animale, carried out a study to compare repro-
duction performances in dairy herds depending on the reason
for abortion.
Material and methods: 831 herds with abortions were in-
cluded between November 2018 and May 2020. Causes of
abortions were determined using a combination of PCR on
vaginal discharge and serology on blood of animals from the
same cohort. In the case of two or more aborted animals had
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Reproduction in Dairy Cattle
positive PCR results for Coxiella burnetii, Q fever was con-
sidered as a highly probable cause of abortion. If only one
PCR result was positive, the blood serology of other animals
was taken into account. If at least 50% of serology tests were
positive, Q fever was considered the cause of abortion with
medium probability.
An annual summary of reproductive performances was
made for each herd and crossed with the reason for abortion.
Fertility of cows and heifers, stillbirth, culling rate, calving inter-
val, age at first calving were studied.
ANOVA was applied to explain reproductive criteria.
Results: Finally, data were available for 642 herds.
12 % of the abortion events were due to Q fever with me-
dium or high probability.
In herds where Coxiella burnetii was detected as a highly
probable cause of abortion, the fertility rate at first insemina-
tion was 6.99 points lower than the average for herds in the
same area and during the same period (40.16% and 47.16%
respectively, p=0.023). If herds with a medium probability of
Q fever abortion are also included, the fertility rate remains
lower than that of herds without Q fever abortion (41.42% and
47.16% respectively, p=0.013). In herds with low probability of
Q fever, the first insemination was almost twice as likely to be
successful as in herds with a medium or high probability of Q
fever (OR=1.92 CI95% [1.07 - 3.45]).
The study also highlighted that the calving interval was ex-
tended by 4.7 days in Q fever infected herds (420 d vs 415 d).
No difference was highlighted for the other criteria (fertility
of heifers, culling rate, stillbirth, and age at first calving).
From an economic point of view, the cost simulator devel-
oped by the Vets school of Nantes (Bilan de santé du troupeau
laitier - bioepar.org) showed that this drop in fertility rate was
23 euros per cow per year, excluding the cost of abortions.
Conclusion: Dairy herds affected by Q fever abortions
have lower cow fertility than others. We showed that the dis-
ease has a global impact on reproduction and not only on
abortions. This finding is in accordance with some data al-
ready published on the involvement of Coxiella burnetii in fer-
tility, metritis/endometritis and retained placenta.
It appears that a control of the disease including both bios-
ecurity measures and vaccination could be of interest in such
herds to improve fertility.
We focused herds with abortions due to Q fever. This study
could be complemented by another one which would consist in
the detection of Coxiella burnetii in herds with degraded fertili-
ty, even in the absence of abortions.
Keywords: Q fever, fertility, cattle, reproductive perfor-
mance.
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RD-09
Evaluation of the impact of multifactorial parameters to
improve activity-based heat detection systems
Hila Kroll1, Doron Bar1, Juan Pedro Campillo1, Monika Ptaszynska2.
1
Allflex Livestock Intelligence, Netanya, Israel; 2MSD Animal Health,
Milton Keynes, United Kingdom.
Objectives: Heat detection devices have traditionally
been using changes in the activity pattern of female cows. This
is either done via recording of simple parameters such as the
number of steps, detection of specific movements (mounting
behavior), or by detailed analysis of intensity and direction of
the animal’s movements. Inclusion of other parameters could
lead to an improvement in heat detection algorithm accuracy.
The restless behavior of cows in estrus is associated with a
decline in their rumination time. This was demonstrated after
the introduction of rumination monitoring collars (Bar and Sol-
omon, 2010) and con­firmed in later studies (Reith and Hoy,
2012). Inclusion of the normal estrous cycle pattern and du-
ration of behavioral heat should further increase the accura-
cy of heat detection and monitoring. In order to increase heat
detection accuracy, Heat Index algorithm, based on the above
mentioned parameters, was developed for an automated mon-
itoring system. The objective of this study was to compare the
accuracy of estrus detection in dairy cows using Heat Index
versus activity data only algorithm.
Materials & Methods: A total of 15,000 activity increase
alerts with a very low threshold (about 25% activity index in-
crease) were collected from about 3,000 cows in 7 commercial
farms, with all cows on farm wearing monitoring collars (Allf-
lex® Livestock IntelligenceTM) throughout the lactation.
A novel notation method was developed defi­ning a "gold
standard" to evaluate heat detection efficiency under ­field
conditions. All heat alerts resulting in inseminations leading
to a confirmed pregnancy were classified as True Positives.
All episodes of increased activity recorded in pregnant cows
were classified as True Negatives. It is important to note that
the system user does not receive the false positive alerts
because the system does not present pregnant cows in the
"Cows ready for AI" report. From these two populations, a Re-
ceiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves were drawn for
an algorithm based on activity change alone, or Heat Index,
combining several parameters.
Results: The analysis of True Positives (TP) against False
Positives (FP) revealed a significant added benefi­t of using
the Heat Index algorithm compared to the one based on the
activity increase only. At the relevant interval (95-98% sensi-
tivity), the use of Heat Index algorithm led to a reduction of
false heats by 28% and 36%, respectively. At 95% specificity,
activity only algorithm discarded 51% (1839/3617) FP heats
while Heat index algorithm discarded 79% (2857/3617) TP
heats. At 98% specificity, activity only algorithm discarded
26% (940/3617) FP heats while Heat index algorithm discard-
ed 62% (2242/3617) TP heats; Heat Index ROC curves also
demonstrated an improvement of 1% in sensitivity of heat de-
tection, at the default detection level threshold.
Conclusions: The Heat Index algorithm (Allflex® Live-
stock IntelligenceTM) shows a better performance in heat de-
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
364
tection in dairy cows compared to algorithms based on activity
patterns only, with significantly superior specificity while pre-
serving, and even slightly improving the detection sensitivity.
This brings significant benefits to the dairy farmers using
monitoring system with heat detection ability. The use of Heat
Index algorithm decreases the risk that animals that are not
in heat are selected for insemination, which reduces wastage
of semen and unnecessary expenses on service. Although
more limited, improved sensitivity of heat detection with Heat
Index algorithm means fewer cows in heat and eligible for in-
semination are missed. Consequently, improved heat detec-
tion accuracy would contribute to improved farm reproduction
performance, reduction of days open and intervals between
calvings.
Keywords: Heat detection, monitoring, heat index, estrus.
RD-10
Pastoral dairy bull procurements and management effects
on fertility
Kate Mitchell1, David Beggs2, Peter Mansell2.
1
Scottsdale Veterinary Services/University of Melbourne, Scottsdale,
Tasmania, Australia; 2University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
Objective: Dairy herd bulls are utilised on most farms as
a backup to AI in the southern Australian dairy system. The
current recommendations for their management include the
purchasing and movement of bulls onto farm 2-3 months pri-
or to their use. This recommendation is from the Bull Power
study completed in Queensland & New South Wales, Australia
which assessed beef bull reproductive performance following
transportation to new properties and changes in management
conditions.
We aimed to assess dairy bulls’ reproductive performance;
both prior to sale and following movement onto their destina-
tion property under new management conditions. Links be-
tween stress associated with transportation & management
changes, semen motility, morphology and scrotal circumfer-
ence will be investigated.
Methods: Holstein-Friesian & Jersey bulls (n=34) were ex-
amined using a veterinary bull breeding soundness evaluation
(VBBSE) on their farms. Bulls were then transported to new
properties and a VBBSE was repeated at 20 days, 50-70 days
and 120-150 days following arrival. At each VBBSE semen
samples were collected via electroejaculation and submitted
for morphological examination by a registered morphology
laboratory.
Management practices on the property of origin and new
property were noted for each of the bulls. Recorded manage-
ment practices included mixing with existing bull teams, work-
load, and nutrition.
Results: Preliminary results show that following movement
onto a new property and changes to management (BBSE 20d)
sperm morphology & scrotal circumference are temporarily
negatively affected, these deficits are resolved in the follow-

ing BBSEs (50-70d, 120-150d). Some correlation between
distance travelled and the effect on semen morphology and
scrotal circumference is evident in preliminary assessment of
the data set.
Conclusion: The current recommendations for dairy herd
bulls throughout Australia are based on data obtained from a
study of beef bulls completed in 2005. This work aims to give
appropriate guidelines for minimum timing of procurement pri-
or to use as well as an indication of the likely stress associated
with mixing of bull teams.
Keywords: Bull, fertility, scrotal circumference, semen
morphology, dairy herd bull.
RD-11
The effect of integrin binding domain peptide and
C-terminal fragment of osteopontin on restoring the
endometrial EGF abnormality in repeat breeder dairy cows
Takashi Tanida1, Takayoshi Tagami2, Yojiro Yanagawa3, Seiji Katagiri3.
1
Laboratory of Theriogenology, Department of Clinical Sciences,
Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University,
Sapporo, Japan; 2Laboratory of Molecular Enzymology, Division of
Fundamental AgriScience Research, Research Faculty of Agriculture,
Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan; 3Laboratory of Theriogenology,
Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,
Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.
Objectives: In fertile cows, epidermal growth factor (EGF)
concentrations in the endometrium show two peaks on days
2-4 and 13-14 of the estrous cycle. The absence of EGF peaks
in the endometrium has been linked related to reduced fertil-
ity and around 70% of repeat breeder (RB) dairy cows lost
endometrial EGF peaks. Intravaginal infusion of seminal plas-
ma osteopontin (OPN) restored the endometrial EGF profile
and fertility in RB cows. However, the mechanism by which
OPN exerts this effect is unknown. OPN can be cleaved by
thrombin, dividing into N-terminal and C-terminal fragments.
The N-terminal fragment has integrin binding domain (RGD
sequence and SVAYGLK sequence adjacent to RGD). While
the C-terminal fragment interacts with CD44. The objective of
this study was to evaluate whether the integrin binding domain
peptide and the C-terminal fragment of OPN restore the endo-
metrial EGF abnormality in RB cows.
Material & Methods: 271 RB dairy cows were used in
this study. They were examined for endometrial EGF con-
centrations on day 3 (day 0 = estrus) and cows showing low
concentration (< 4.70 ng/g tissue weight) were used. Then,
all cows were synchronized for estrus. Each cow was infused
with either 10 ml phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) alone (n =
85) or one of the following samples prepared in 10 ml PBS
into the vagina within 4 to 12 hours after detection of estrus;
recombinant full length OPN (rOPN, 32 nmol, n = 121), re-
combinant C-terminal fragment (C-rOPN S162-N278, 46 or
53 nmol, n=25) and synthetic peptide (peptide G151-K161, 32
nmol or 320 nmol, n = 20). Then, endometrial EGF concen-
trations on day 3 of the estrous cycle were examined for the
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Reproduction in Dairy Cattle
second times.
Results: The normalization rates of the endometrium EGF
profile (≥ 4.70 ng/g tissue weight) were higher in the cows in-
fused rOPN (59.5%, n = 72) and 320 nmol peptide G151-K161
(55.0% n = 11) than PBS (27.1%, n = 23) (P<0.05). The nor-
malization rates were similar between rOPN and 320 nmol
peptide G151-K161. While the normalization rates were sim-
ilar in the cows infused C-rOPN S162-N278 (12.0%, n = 3)
and 32 nmol peptide G151-K161 (30.0%, n = 6) to PBS. Endo-
metrial EGF concentrations after treatment were higher in the
cows infused with rOPN [5.91 (3.15-7.05), median (interquar-
tile range)] than PBS [2.71 (1.91-5.34)] (P<0.05), but were
similar in the cows infused with C-rOPN S162-N278 [1.91
(1.71-2.62)], 32 nmol [3.15 (1.81-5.20)] and 320 nmol [5.30
(1.94-6.35)] peptide G151-K161 to PBS. In the cows infused
with peptide G151-K161, endometrial EGF concentrations af-
ter treatment tended to be higher in the cows infused 320 nmol
peptide than 32 nmol peptide (P<0.1).
Conclusion: Integrin binding domain peptide of OPN has
function to restore the endometrial EGF abnormality in RB
dairy cows. However, the peptide needed a larger amount in
mole than rOPN to restore the endometrial EGF profile. Cells
having integrin might have a role to normalize the endometrial
EGF profile by OPN. On the other hands, the C-terminal OPN
fragment may have less or no function to normalize the endo-
metrial EGF profile in RB dairy cows. This may indicate that
CD44 might not be a main targeting receptor for normalization
of the endometrial EGF profile by OPN.
Keywords: Osteopontin, Epidermal growth factor (EGF),
Endometrial biopsy, Repeat breeder dairy cows.
RD-13
Reproductive Prolapse in Cows in Western Thailand:
Grades, Severity and Treatment
Smit Srisomrun, Pipat Arunvipas, Niorn Ratanapob.
Kasetsart University, Kamphaengsaen, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand.
Objectives: This study determined grades, severity and
treatment of reproductive prolapse in cows in western Thai-
land.
Materials and methods: This study investigated the re-
productive prolapse cases submitted to Kasetsart University
Veterinary Teaching Hospital Kamphaengsaen, from January
2016 to November 2019. The data were collected from out-pa-
tient department records and a questionnaire and analyzed
by STATA.
Results: There were 90 cases submitted during the study
period, 72 cases (80%) were beef and 18 cases (20%) were
dairy cattle. Forty-nine cows (54%) were raised in the free stall
system and 32 cows (36%) were raised in the grazing system.
Only 11 of affected cows (13%) were heifers. One-fourth of
the reproductive prolapse cases found before calving occurred
during the last trimester of pregnancy.
Grade of prolapse was divided in 5 grades. There were 20
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ORAL — Reproduction in Dairy Cattle
vaginal prolapse (grade 1 and 2) cases (22.22%), 52 cervical
prolapse (grade 3) cases (57.78%) and 18 uterine prolapse
(grade 4 and 5) cases (20%). A few factors were associated
with the severity of reproductive prolapse. More severe pro-
lapse cases were found in beef cattle less than in dairy cattle
(P < 0.001). Most of the severe cases were found after calving
(P < 0.001). All uterine prolapse (grade 4 and 5) cases were
found after calving and almost all of these cases (17/18) oc-
curred within the first day after calving.
The treatment protocols were cleaning the reproductive
tract to decrease risk of infection, performing epidural anes-
thesia, replacing the reproductive organs and suturing the
vulva lips with Bühner technique, applying tincture-iodine at
the suture site and injecting an anti-inflammatory drug. Cal-
cium solution was administered before replacement in cows
suspected hypocalcemia. Every case was rechecked 1-7 days
after treatment depended on severity of the reproductive pro-
lapse, and there was no recurrent prolapse.
Conclusions: The reproductive prolapse cases submitted
in this study were beef cattle more than dairy cattle. However,
most reproductive prolapse cases in dairy cattle were uterine
prolapse which is related to post-partum hypocalcemia.
Keywords: Reproductive prolapse, cows, grade of pro-
lapse.
RD-14
Comparison of three different reproductive management
strategies for lactating dairy cows emphasizing detection
of oestrus or synchronization of ovulation and Timed
Artificial Insemination (TAI)
Richard Vazquez1, Katie Denholm1, Pedro Pinho2, Federico Randi2,
Lorenzo Viora1.
1
University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom; 2CEVA Sante
Animale, Loudeac, France.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare three
reproductive management strategies for first insemination of
lactating dairy cows: Ovsynch; PRID-synch, both using oes-
trus detection and subsequent timed artificial insemination
(TAI); and Double-Ovsynch at TAI.
Materials and methods: A total of 1681 Holstein cows
from two commercial Scottish dairy farms were randomised by
parity to three different reproductive strategies for first AI. For
the first two protocols, cows were eligible to be inseminated by
detected oestrus between 50 and 70 days in milk (DIM) and
were subsequently enrolled in either one of the following two
protocols:
1. Ovsynch (n=541), GnRH (G1) at 70±3 DIM, PGF2α
(PG1) 7 d later, PGF2α (PG2) 24h later and GnRH
(G2) 32h later, followed by FTAI 16 h after;
2. PRID-synch (n=562), GnRH (G1) + PRID at 70±3 DIM,
PGF2α (PG1) 7 d later, PGF2α (PG2) + PRID removal
24h later and GnRH (G2) 32h later, followed by FTAI
16 h after.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
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For the third protocol, Double-Ovsynch (n=578), 53±3
days after parturition, cows received an injection of GnRH,
PGF2α 7 d later and GnRH 3 d after, as presynchronization.
Then at 70±3DIM, the breeding Ovsynch including an injection
of GnRH (G1), PGF2α (PG1) 7 d later, PGF2α (PG2) 24h later
and GnRH (G2) 32h later, followed by FTAI 16 hours later.
Ovarian monitoring was performed by transrectal ultraso-
nography at 43±3 and 50±3 DIM in all animals, and 70±3 (G1)
and 77±3 (PG1) DIM only for the cows that were synchronized.
Pregnancy was diagnosed by transrectal ultrasonography be-
tween 28 and 35 days after AI.
Results: Twenty-eight-day pregnancy rates for first AI was
similar among treatment groups: Ovsynch (44%; 162/365),
PRID-synch (41%; 158/383) and Double-Ovsynch (45%;
160/353). Cows with a corpus luteum (CL) at 77±3 DIM
(PGF1) were 3.23 times more likely to be pregnant regard-
less of the treatment group (p<0.001). Primiparous cows were
more likely to be pregnant at 28 days than multiparous cows in
all treatment groups (Ovsynch 59% vs 35%; PRID-synch 47%
vs 38%; and Double-Ovsynch 55% vs 39%) (p<0.001).
Conclusions: There was no significant difference in preg-
nancy rate at 28 days among treatment groups, which is con-
sistent with previous comparable studies (Fricke et al., 2014,
Robichaud et al., 2016). This may have been due to cows in
the first two protocols being mated to observed oestrus on
commercial farms where heat detection efficiency and P/AI
on standing oestrus were good (57% and 46% respective-
ly); which may have over-inflated the 28 days pregnancy rate
in these two groups; however, these results are reflective of
the expected performance of the protocols in a commercial
setting. Primiparous cows submitted to Double-Ovsynch did
not have higher pregnancy rate compared with the other two
strategies in contrast to other published reports (Souza et al.,
2008; Borchardt et al., 2016).
Keywords: Dairy, reproduction, oestrus, synchronization,
TAI.
RD-15
Effect of puerperal metritis occurrence on reproductive
efficiency and milk production in grazing dairy cow
Santiago Corva1, German Dominguez2, Eduardo Ravera2, Mauricio
Giuliodori1, R. Luzbel De La Sota1.
1
Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias-UNLP, La Plata, Argentina; 2Private
Practice, Venado Tuerto, Santa Fe, Argentina.
Objective: The objective of this study was to estimate the
effect of puerperal metritis (PM) occurrence on reproductive
efficiency and milk production in a dairy farm in Argentina
(~2800 milking cows).
Material and Methods: An observational retrospective
study, including a total of 16856 records of cows calving from
January 1st, 2010 to December 31st, 2016, was used. At
parturition, calving assistance was recorded (ACAL; normal,
slight or severe assistance, c-section, abortion), and retention
of fetal membranes (RFM) was recorded. All cows were exam-

ined for the diagnosis of PM (0-3) during the first two weeks
after calving. Only cows diagnosed with PM3 (enlarged uterus
and a fetid watery red-brown uterine discharge and signs of
systemic illness [decreased milk yield, dullness, or other signs
of toxemia]) were treated (TRT) with ceftiofur (6.6 mg/kg BW,
SC; Excede, Zoetis Argentina). Cows were rechecked a week
later, and cows with PM0 were diagnosed as clinically cured
(CCURE), and cows with PM1-2 were diagnosed as partial-
ly cured (PCURE). Only cows with PM3 were treated again
with the same protocol until clinically cured or culled from the
herd. After three weeks, post-partum cows were examined for
diagnosis of clinical endometritis (CE, 0-3). After having a 50
days voluntary waiting period (VWP), cows were AI at detect-
ed heat. Reproductive efficiency was measured by percent of
IA cows by 80 (AI80) days postpartum (dpp), percent of preg-
nant cows by 100 (PRE100) and percent of open cows by 200
(OPE200) dpp, percent of pregnancy losses to first pregnant
AI (LOSS1P), and interval from calving to first IA (C1AI) and
to conception (ICC). Also, milk production (kg) at 150 (MP150)
and 305 (MP305) days of lactation were measured.
Results: During the first week of calving, the occurrence
of PM0-PM3 was 47.72%, 14.04%, 22.99%, and 15.25%
(8043, 2366, 3874, and 2571/16854, respectively). First lac-
tation cows had higher occurrence of PM3 compared to 2+
lactation cows (22.96% [1510/6578] vs 10.32% [1061/10276];
P<0.01), and cows calving during the spring had higher occur-
rence of PM3 compared to cows calving the rest of the year
(17.45% [634/3634] vs 11.94% [1937/16218]; P<0.01). Of a
total 2571 cases of PM3 diagnosed, 2439 had registered TRT
information and were used for further analysis. The CCURE
rate 24.89% (607/2439) and the PCURE rate was 53.59%
(1307/2439). About 18.49% (451/2439) of the cases did not
respond to TRT and remained PM3; and 3.03% (74/2439) of
the cases were TRT but were not rechecked by the veterinar-
ian. Furthermore, 39.66% of PM3 persisted as CE after 21
dpp. The interval calving to PM3 TRT was 8.81±0.77 d. Ret-
rospectively, cows with PM3 had more ACAL and RFM com-
pared to cows without PM0 (52.98% [1362/2571] vs 72.63%
[5842/8043], P<0.01; 14.16% [364/2571] vs 2.00% [161/8043],
P<0.01). Also, more cows with PM3 failed to persist in the herd
for a subsequent lactation compared to PM0 cows (27.15%
[698/2571] vs 26.00% [2091/8043], P<0.01). Cows with PM3
had a lower IA80 and PRE100, and higher OPE200 compared
to PM0 cows (58.37 [1465/2510] vs 64.55 [5036/7802], 30.89
[767/2483] vs 37.59 [2897/7706], 30.74% [710/2310] vs 25.64
[1843/7188]; P<0.01, respectively). Furthermore, cows with
PM3 had 4% more pregnancy losses compared to PM0 cows
(30.12% [635/2108] vs 25.97% [1742/6709], P<0.01). Preg-
nancy rate to first IA (IC1AI) and day open (ICC) were 3 and
10 days longer for PM3 compared to PM0 cows (76.43±0.41
[n=2260] vs 73.67±0.22 [n=7108]; 134.42±1.43 [n=1982] vs
124.34±0.77 [n=6379]; P<0.01, respectively). Cows with PM3
produced 460 kg and 675 kg less of milk compared to PM0
cows (5055.91±11.82 [n=6961] vs 4595.62±19.55 [n=2335];
9016.34±37.35 [n=1750] vs 9691.85±22.58 [n=4834]; P<0.01,
respectively).
Conclusions: Cows with PM3 have more pregnancy loss-
es, more days open, and produced less milk at 150 and 305
days of lactation compared to PM0 cows. The clinical cure rate
and partial cure rate for PM3 cows were low, and many PM3
cows developed CE after 21 dpp.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Reproduction in Dairy Cattle
Keywords: Puerperal metritis, treatment, reproductive ef-
ficiency, milk production, dairy cows.
RD-16
Purulent vaginal discharge score and its association with
subsequent reproductive performance in seasonal-calving,
pasture-based dairy cows
Eber Rojas Canadas1, Mary M Herlihy2, Jonathon Kenneally2, Francis
Kearney3, Jim Grant4, Pat Lonergan5, Stephen T Butler2.
1
The Ohio Sate University, columbus, United States; 2Teagasc, fermoy,
Republic of Ireland; 3Irish Cattle Breeding Federation, Bandon, Republic
of Ireland; 4Teagasc, Ashtown, Republic of Ireland; 5University College
Dublin, Belfield, Republic of Ireland.
Objectives: Uterine infection diminishes reproductive per-
formance in cattle. The use of Metricheck® to assess purulent
vaginal discharge (PVD) may help to identify uterine patholog-
ical condition. The objective of this study was to evaluate PVD
as a predictor of failure of reproductive performance in pas-
ture based dairy cows to simplify diagnostic tools for uterine
abnormalities and to reduce costs. Secondary objective was
to determine the agreement between Metricheck® with ultra-
sound examination of the uterus as a tool to identify post-par-
tum uterine abnormalities in dairy cattle. Materials&Methods:
First and second lactation dairy cows (n=2,600) located in
the province of Munster in Ireland were enrolled in the study.
Postpartum examinations were performed at week 3 (wk3,14
to 27 days in milk) and week 7 (wk7, 42 to 55 days in milk)
after calving. Purulent vaginal discharge was established as
follows: PV1= clear mucus; PV2= flecks of pus within clear
mucus; PV3= 50% purulent material. Ultrasound uterine score
examination (8.5 MHz transrectal transducer Ibex Pro, Ibex®,
Colorado, USA) was assessed as follows: G1: spoke wheel-
shaped lumen; G2: small volume (>2 mm, ≤5 mm) of fluid of
mixed echogenicity; G3: Moderate volume (>5 mm, ≤10 mm)
of fluid of mixed echogenicity; G4: Large volume (>10 mm) of
mixed echogenicity fluid. During the breeding season all ani-
mals were served after estrous detection. A post-breeding visit
was carried out once between 34-50 days after farm mating
end date to determine pregnancy status and foetal age. The
reproductive parameters included in the study were: Submis-
sion rate (SR21), pregnant to first service (P/AI1), pregnant
within 21, 42 and 84 days of onset of breeding (P21, P42,
P84, respectively) and the Mating Start day Conception Inter-
val (MSD-CI). Fisher’s Exact Test was used and was supple-
mented by multiple logistic regression using the LOGISTIC
procedure of SAS (version 9.3; SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC)
to calculate odds ratios and predicted probabilities. The con-
cordance between PVS and USE was assessed using Co-
hen's Kappa Coefficient with the FREQ procedure of SAS.
Results: At wk 3, 18.7% (486/2600), 30.4% (790/2600), 26.9%
(699/2600) and 24.0% (625/2600) of animals were diagnosed
as having PV1, PV2, PV3 and PV4; and 2.2% (59/2600),
25.1% (653/2600), 60.5% (1574/2600) and 12.0% (314/2600)
of animals were diagnosed as having G1, G2, G3 and G4 ultra-
sound uterine score, respectively. At wk7, 40.4% (1051/2600),
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ORAL — Reproduction in Dairy Cattle
39.6% (1030/2600), 16.6% (434/2600) and 3.2% (85/2600) of
animals were diagnosed as having PV1, PV2, PV3 and PV4;
and 27.3% (669/2445), 48.3% (1182/2445), 23.3% (572/2445)
and 0.8% (22/2445) of cows were diagnosed by ultrasonogra-
phy as having G1, G2, G3 and G4, respectively. There was no
association between PVD at wk3 (P=0.54) and wk7 (P=0.84)
and SR21. Conversely, animals classified as having a PV4 at
wk 3 and wk7 had reduced P/AI1 (both P<0.05; - 8 and -11
percentage points) compared with animals classified as hav-
ing PV1. On the same way, cows classified as having PV3
and PV4 were less likely to achieve P21(P=0.01; -9.2 and
-10.6 percentage points), P42 (P=0.008; 4.8 and 7.9 percent-
age points) P84 (P=0.003; only PV4, -5.6 percentage points)
and the mean MSD-CI was 4.19±0.24 and 5.03±0.19 d longer
(P<0.0001) compared with animals diagnosed as having PV1,
respectively. Similarly, reproductive performance and MSD-CI
were associated with PVS at wk7. Animals classified as hav-
ing PV4 had less likelihood of P42 (P=0.005; -15.35, -12.25
and -14.11 percentage points) and P84 (P=0.01; -8.61, -6.67
and -7.11 percentage points) compared with animals having
PV1, PV2 and PV3, respectively. MSD-CI was longer (P=0.04)
in animals classified as having G4 uterine score compared
with cows classified as having PV1, PV2 and PV3 (7.4 ± 0.2,
6.1 ± 6.18 and 6.4 ± 0.15 d, respectively).
The Kappa coefficients at week 3 and week 7 postpartum
were 0.17 and 0.13, respectively, indicating slight to fair agree-
ment between PVD and ultrasound uterine score examination
as diagnostic techniques for uterine abnormalities.
Conclusion: The observations arising from this study
provide evidence that PVD was strongly associated at both
wk3 and wk7 postpartum in seasonal-calving, pasture-based
lactating dairy cows. Purulent vaginal score evaluation at wk3
and wk7 post-partum identified an unfavorable association be-
tween PV3 and PV4 and reproductive performance. On aver-
age, the PVD scores were lower than ultrasound examination
scores in the early postpartum period.
Keywords: Uterine-infection, dairy-cattle, fertility, ultraso-
nography.
RD-17
Effects of thermal stress on pregnancy characteristics in
dairy cows
Ioannis Nanas1, Katerina Dadouli2, Thomas - Markos Chouzouris1,
Konstantina Stamperna1, Eleni Dovolou1, Georgios S. Amiridis1.
Univ. of Thessaly, Vet Faculty, Dept of Obstetrics & Reproduction,
1 Results: In trial 1, the pregnancy maintenance rate dif-
Karditsa, Greece; 2Univ. of Thessaly, Faculty of Medicine, Larissa,
Greece.
Objectives: Due to global warming, the adverse effects
of heat stress (HS) on dairy cattle welfare and production are
gradually extending in northern latitudes. The combination of
high ambient temperatures and relative humidity (THI) in dairy
cows decreases appetite, milk yield, estrous expression, es-
trus length and pregnancy rates of inseminated animals. The
extensive use of cooling systems for the abatement of the
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
368
negative effects of HS, proved to be successful in preserving
milk production, but their impact on fertility records are rather
negligible. This is related to the high sensitivity of the maturing
oocyte and the early embryo to the elevated temperatures as
well as to the modifications that increased temperatures bring
about at follicular, oviductal and uterine environment.
The trophoblastic cells of the bovine placenta express a
series of glycoproteins named Pregnancy Associated Glyco-
proteins (PAGs) whose concentration is steadily increased
with pregnancy progression, culminating at calving. PAG
concentration of inseminated cattle is used as a biochemical
marker of pregnancy and a reliable indicator for the wellbe-
ing and functionality of the placenta. Progesterone (P4) is of
paramount importance for pregnancy establishment and pres-
ervation, however, the limits between optimal and suboptimal
concentrations is difficult to be accurately defined, as P4 con-
centrations are related to various environmental and metabolic
factors.
Here, we focused to estimate the association between
circulating concentrations of PAG, P4 and the early embryo
mortality rates during summer and winter.
Materials and Methods: Two trials were conducted in
two Holstein dairy farms of central Greece. Both farms are
equipped with effective cooling systems comprising electronic
assessment of THI and automatic activation of fans and sprin-
klers. In addition, according to thermal load all lactating cows
had intensive cooling (soaking–drying) two to four times daily.
Τhe purpose of the first trial was the quantification of the
early embryonic mortality rates under HS or thermoneutral
conditions. In 2018, a total of 279 cows were used (144 during
the winter, group W, and 135 during the summer, group S). On
days 24-25 post AI, all cows were diagnosed as pregnant by
transrectal ultrasonography; on days 34-36 they were re-ex-
amined, and a blood sample was withdrawn for PAG deter-
mination.
The second trial lasted from 2014 to 2019 and aimed at
PAG levels evaluation in 6109 blood samples submitted for
routine pregnancy diagnosis. All samples were collected 29
to 36 days after breeding and assayed by a commercial ELI-
SA kit (DG29, Conception Animal, Canada). According to THI,
the samples were allotted into group S THI≥76 n=2388, or
into group W THI≤68, n=3721. A sample was characterized
as positive, ambiguous, or negative (PAG ≥1000pg/ml, 500 to
999pg/ml or <500, respectively).
Progesterone concentration was also determined in 50
pregnant animals from each group in serum samples collected
on days 31 to 33 post AI by a commercial ELISA kit (DRG,
Germany).
fered significantly (p=0.03) among groups (136/144 - 94.4%
and 81.5% - 110/135, for groups W and S, respectively). Ac-
cording to the PAG concentrations all animals were character-
ized as pregnant.
In trial 2, PAG levels on days 33 to 36 after breading were
significantly higher (p=0.043) in group S (2546.8±63.1 ng/ml )
compared to those of group W (2385.51±42.4 ng/ml).
Progesterone was lower (p<0.05) in group S (6.76±0.96ng/
ml) compare to W (8.66±1.27).
The proportions of ambiguous pregnancies were lower

(p<0.001) in group S (7.88%) compared to W (11.10%).
Conclusions: From the data presented here we infer that
during summer months the embryos that can survive HS de-
velop a well-functioning placenta. This is in concert with our
in vitro studies where we provided evidence that blastocysts
produced from oocytes exposed to HS have high expression
of genes related to placentation. On the other hand, the com-
bined results of embryo mortality and progesterone might be
indicative that during the winter, slow developing or weak em-
bryos have more chances to survive.
Acknowledgements: Work co‐financed by the EU and
Greek national funds through the Operational Program Com-
petitiveness, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, under the
call RESEARCH – CREATE – INNOVATE (project code:T-
1EDK-01078, the Summer Cow).
I.N is financially supported by IKY (project MIS-5000432,
co-financed by Greece and E.U.-ESF).
Keywords: Heat stress, progesterone, PAGs, early em-
bryonic death, dairy cattle.
RD-18
The effect of coxiella burnetii inactived vaccine on
reproductive parameters and milk yield in Holstein cows
Gulnaz Yilmazbas-Mecitoglu1, Guleycan Egesu Yildiz1, Kerem
Kucuk1, Baris Guner2, Abdulkadir Keskin1, Ahmet Gumen1.
Bursa Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey;
1 2
Balikesir University,
Balikesir, Turkey.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the
effect of Coxiella burnetii inactivated vaccine on reproductive
parameters and milk yield in Holstein cows.
Material & Methods: A total of 575 pregnant cows (165-
170 days of pregnancy) were examined serologically and dis-
tributed to the research groups. While the cows were sero-
logically positive formed the Positive Control (n=174, PosC)
group, the cows that were serologically negative for Coxiella
brunetii were randomly assigned into two groups: The cows
were vaccinated formed the Negative Vaccine (n=175, NegV)
and were not vaccinated served as Negative Control (n=226,
NegC) The cows in the NegV were vaccinated 3 weeks apart
with Coxiella burnetii inactivated vaccine (4 ml, s.c. Cox-
evac®, Ceva, Istanbul, Turkey) and serological examinations
were repeated 3-4 weeks later to determine the efficacy of the
vaccine. During the study, pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and
lactation processes of the cows were monitored. At the end
of voluntary waiting period, the cows were inseminated with
modified G6G protocol for the first service and the cows whose
unable to get pregnant were received resynchronisation pro-
tocol. Pregnancy examinations performed by ultrasonography.
Results: The abortion rate was 2.7% (6/226) in NegC,
1.1% (2/175) in NegV, 0.6% (1/174) in PosC group. Due to
the different reasons 21 cows were culled thus 554 cows were
monitored for postpartum period; The incidence of stillbirth was
1.9% (4/210) in NegC and 3.5% (6/170) in PosC groups, no
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Reproduction in Dairy Cattle
stillbirth cases were observed in the NegV (0/169) group. Fe-
tal membrane retention was 14.5% (31/214), 10.0% (17/170)
and 9.4% (16/170) in NegC, NegV and PosC groups, respec-
tively. The incidence of metritis was 8.4% (18/214) in NegC,
10.6% (18/170) in NegV and 7.1% (12/170) in PosC groups.
The total of 477 cows were able to be evaluated for repro-
ductive parameters since there were cows (n=98) that culled
for different reasons. First service conception rate was 29.8%
(54/181) in NegC, 30.1% (43/143) in NegV, 34.4% 52/151 in
PosC groups. Number of inseminations per pregnancy were
1.56 (128/82) in NegC, 1.39 (96/69) in NegV and 1.44 (89/88)
in PosC groups. Embryonic loss rates were determined as
6.0% (5/83) in NegC, 9.2% (7/76) in NegV and 11.1% (11/99)
in PosC groups. The rate of repeat breeder cows was deter-
mined as 4.9% (9/181) in NegC, 2.8% in NegV (4/144) and
4.6% (7/152) in PosC groups. The data belongs to the cows
were completed for the first 100 days; In the NegC (n=184),
NegV (n=147) and PosC (n=154), the total milk yield in the
first 100 days was recorded as 4739.65 ± 46.56 kg, 4772.81 ±
55.27 and 4752.82 ± 47.92 kg; mean peak yield was recorded
as 56.21 ± 0.50 kg/day, 56.39 ± 0.53, and 55.91 ± 0.56 kg/
day. While the mean peak day was 64.03 ± 2.13 DIM in NegV,
it was 67.07 ± 2.43 DIM in PosC, which was higher (P<0.05)
than in Neg C (61.28 ± 1.74 DIM) groups.
Conclusion: In conclusion, it was found that the cows
have no Coxiella burnetii antibody at the beginning of the
study (NegC) had numerically higher abortion and retention
of fetal membrane rates compare to other cows in NegV and
PosC groups which included the cows whether had natu-
ral or acquired immunity. Stillbirth and embryonic loss rates
were numerically higher in PosC group compare to the other
groups. Also it was found that the milk peak day of the cows in
PosC group was seen later than of the cows in other groups.
Acknowledgement: This research is supported by The
Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TU-
BITAK, Project No.119O952).
Keywords: Cow, Coxiella brunetii, inactivated vaccine, re-
productive parameters, milk yield.
RD-19
HH1 double-carrier embryos develop normally to elongated
conceptuses
Alejandra C Quiroga, Priscila Ramos-Ibeas, Ismael Lamas-Toranzo,
Óscar González-Recio, Pablo Bermejo-Álvarez.
INIA-CSIC, Madrid, Spain.
Objectives: Intensive genotyping of Holstein population
has identified deleterious haplotypes impacting fertility. These
haplotypes are never found in homozygosity indicating that
double-carrier (i.e., homozygous) embryos die before birth.
However, the developmental stage when embryonic or fetal
loss occurs remains unknown. Timing of developmental arrest
is relevant for reproductive management, as embryonic losses
occurring before maternal recognition of pregnancy lead to lu-
teolysis and recovery of estrus cycle, whereas later losses ex-
369
ORAL — Reproduction in Dairy Cattle
ert a much greater impact on conception intervals. The objec-
tive of this study was to determine if homozygous embryos for
Holstein Haplotype 1 (HH1) are able to develop to elongated
conceptuses, which trigger maternal recognition of pregnancy.
Material & Methods: In vivo produced embryos were re-
covered at Days 9 (D9, expanded blastocysts), 11 (D11, ovoid
conceptuses) or 14 (D14, elongated conceptuses) post-fertil-
ization from superovulated HH1-carrier cows (2 cows/stage)
inseminated with semen from a HH1-carrier bull. Embryos
were fixed in 4 % paraformaldehyde for 10 min and kept at
4 ºC until analysis. D9 embryos were subjected to immunos-
taining with anti-CDX2 to determine trophectoderm (CDX2+)
and inner cell mass (CDX2-) cell number. Total and epiblast
cell numbers were determined on D11 conceptuses by immu-
nostaining for SOX2. Conceptus and embryonic disc length
were measured on D11 and D14 conceptuses. Finally, Sanger
sequencing was performed to determine the genotype of each
embryo: non-carrier (NC), carrier (C) or double-carrier (DC).
Results: Day 9 embryos showed Mendelian distribution of
alleles (5:8:4 for NC:C:DC). At that stage, genotype did not de-
termine blastocyst cell counts (TE: 98±7 vs. 106±4 vs. 105±5;
ICM: 20±1 vs. 21±1 vs. 22±2; for NC, C and SC, respectively,
ANOVA p>0.05). Day 11 conceptuses also showed Mende-
lian distribution of alleles (4:12:5 for NC:C:DC). Conceptus or
embryonic disc size was also similar across genotypes (con-
ceptus length 535±84 vs. 546±89 vs. 446±68 µm, disc length
106±13 vs. 107±12 vs. 105±7 µm, for NC, C and DC, respec-
tively, ANOVA p>0.05) and no differences were noted on total
or SOX2+ (epiblast) cells (total cells 1262±209 vs. 1291±352
vs. 951±282; SOX2+ cells 50±4 vs. 54±10 vs. 50±7; for WT,
Hz and KO, respectively, ANOVA p>0.05). Finally, Mendelian
distribution was also unaltered by D14 (2:3:3 for NC:C:DC)
indicating that DC embryos are able to develop to elongated
conceptuses. A significant cow effect was noted on concep-
tus and embryonic disc length at D14, but genotype did not
influence any of these parameters (conceptus length 7.9±6.1
vs. 5.6±5 vs. 5.7±2.7 cm; disc length 0.52±0.11 vs. 0.44±0.16
vs. 0.57±0.13 cm, for NC, C and DC, respectively, two-way
ANOVA p<0.05).
Conclusion: HH1 double-carrier embryos develop nor-
mally to elongated conceptuses, suggesting that the develop-
mental arrest induced by the causative mutation occur after
maternal recognition of pregnancy, leading to a significant in-
crease in days open.
Keywords: Embryo; haplotype; fertility; elongation; HH1.
RD-20
Effect of clinical and subclinical mastitis treatment with
meloxicam on clinical cure and fertility of dairy cows in
Ecuador
Christian Albuja Arroba1, Joel Hernádez Cerón2, Ramiro Rearte3,
Rodolfo Luzbel De La Sota3.
1
Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Central
de Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador; 2Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y
Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
370
México, Mexico; 3Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad
Nacional de La Plata & CONICET, La Plata, Argentina.
Objective: To study the effect of clinical and subclinical
mastitis treatment with meloxicam on clinical cure rate and fer-
tility of dairy cows in Ecuador.
Material and Methods: Holstein cows from two dairy herds
from Pichincha, Ecuador, were used in a study that began in
March 2020 and ended in October 2021. Cows with 35-150
days in milk (DIM) had a California Mastitis Test (CMT) done
every two weeks and cows with a CMT score 2 (CMT2), score
3 (CMT3), or with clinical mastitis (CM) were enrolled. Cows
with odd ear tags were assigned to the control group (CON,
n=204), and cows with even tag numbers were assigned to the
treatment group (TRT, n=189). Cows with CMT2 in the TRT
group were administered meloxicam (0.5 mg/kg BW, Meta-
cam® Boehringer Ingelheim, Ecuador), whereas cows in the
CON group remained untreated. Cows with CMT3 and CM in
the TRT group were administered an intramammary antibiotic
treatment (tetracycline 200mg, neomycin 250 mg, bacitracin
2000 UI, prednisolone 10 mg, Mastijet Fort®, MSD Salud An-
imal, Mexico) and meloxicam (0.5 mg/kg BW); whereas cows
in the CON group were administered the intramammary anti-
biotic but not the meloxicam treatment. After treatment, cows
had a CMT done every two weeks to determine the clinical
cure rate (complete, CMT0; partial, CMT reduced; worst, CMT
increased or maintained). After a voluntary waiting period of
55 days (d), cows were synchronized with cloprostenol (Ci-
clase DL®, Zoetis, Ecuador) and AI at detected heat. Cows
not detected in heat by 80 DIM were synchronized and timed
AI. In addition, for a cow to enroll in the study, the CMT2-3
and CM event had to take place in a window of time of 30 d
before 45 d post-AI. Transrectal ultrasonography was used to
diagnose pregnancy status at 30±3d post-AI, and those cows
diagnosed pregnant were reconfirmed pregnant at 60±3d
post-AI. The clinical cure rate (CCR) to CMT2, CMT3+CM at
30 d post-treatment were examined. Pregnancy rate at 30d
(PREGR), pregnancy losses at 60 d (PLOSS), calving to con-
ception interval-days open (CCI), number of services per con-
ception (SPC), and culling rate (CULLR) were also analyzed
with logistic regression (PROC GLIMMIX, SAS 9.04).
Results: The CCR for CMT3+CM in the TRT group was
higher compared to the CON group (72.5% [58/60] vs. 57.3%
[43/75], P=0.036), but was similar between CMT2 TRT and
CON groups (62.5% [152/243], P=0.73). The PREGR and
PLOSS were similar in TRT and CON groups for CMT3+CM
(41.9%, P=0.44; 36.76%, P=0.53), and CMT2 (47.22%,
P=0.56; 32.35%, P=0.35). The CCI for CMT3+CM in the
TRT group was shorter than the CON group (100.66±11.08
vs. 133.23±11.79 d, P=0.04). Also, the SPC for CMT3+CM in
the TRT group was lower than the CON group (1.69±0.32 vs.
2.62±0.34, P=0.05). Conversely, the CCI and the SPC were
similar between CMT2 TRT and CON groups (118.50±10.95
d, P=0.46; 2.19±0.24, P=0.21). The CULLR was reduced in
CMT2 TRT cows compared to CON cows (5.50% [6/109] vs.
15.5% [20/129], P=0.01), but was similar in CMT3+CM TRT
and CON cows (14.19% [22/155], P=0.52).
Conclusion: Cows with CMT3+CM that received antibi-
otic treatment plus meloxicam had a higher clinical cure rate
than cows that received antibiotic therapy alone. Furthermore,

these cows had fewer days open and lower AI per conception
than the untreated cows. In addition, cows with CMT2 had no
benefit of meloxicam treatment on clinical cure rate or repro-
ductive performance, but meloxicam treated cows had a lower
culling rate during lactation.
Keywords: Clinical mastitis, subclinical mastitis, meloxi-
cam, fertility, clinical cure.
RD-21
Injuries of the bovine birth canal after eutocia
Theresa Maria Scheu1, Michael Berger2, Imke Cohrs1, Christian
Koch1, Axel Wehrend2.
1
Educational and Research Centre for Animal Husbandry, Hofgut
Neumuehle, Münchweiler an der Alsenz, Germany; 2Clinic for
Obstetrics, Gynecology and Andrology with Veterinary Ambulance,
JLU Giessen, Giessen, Germany.
Objectives: While there is numerous of literature describ-
ing the involution of the uterus after unassisted birth, there is
little information available about possible alterations of the soft
birth canal in cows and heifers. So the aim of this study was
to describe potential injuries of the soft birth canal post partum
(p.p.).
Material and Methods: For this purpose, 50 Holstein-Frie-
sian cows (25 heifers und 25 cows) were assessed vaginally
using a speculum within eight hours after birth and on day 1,
5, 10, 15 and 21 p.p.. Special attention was given to lacera-
tions, hematomas, hyperemia and suffusions in the area of the
cervix, vagina, hymenal region, vestibulum vaginae and vulva.
Results: Immediately after birth all animals presented
lacerations in the dorsal commissure of the vulva, which had
healed off completely until day 15 p.p. in approximately 50%
of the heifers, and on day 10 p.p. in approximately 70% of the
cows. Additionally, all heifers and 41% of the cows present-
ed with lacerations of the hymenal region, which had healed
almost completely by day 15 in 75% and 99%, respectively.
Hyperemia and suffusions were present in all heifers in this
region. While the hyperemia had disappeared by day 10 p.p,
suffusions were still present in approximately 45% of the ani-
mals on day 21 p.p..
Conclusions: In summary, there are injuries in the soft
birth canal even after unassisted birth and it is possible to de-
scribe a unique injury pattern. Particularly heifers have signifi-
cant injuries in the area between the vulva and the hymenal re-
gion; however, these heal entirely within a short period of time.
Keywords: Laceration, hematoma, hymenal region, vulva.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
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RD-22
Influence of different factors on fertility of dairy cows
submitted to fertility protocols for first insemination post-
partum and for resynchronization
A. Francisco Álvarez Baldor.
AFRIVEPA, SOC COOP, Santa María del Páramo, Spain.
Objectives: The use of “fertility protocols” for artifi-
cial insemination (AI) at fixed time adding improvements to
Ovsynch®, as presynchronization, use of a progesterone de-
vice and two doses of prostaglandin F2α (PG), has showed
increases of conception rate in comparison to the normal
Ovsynch protocol or natural estrus. At commercial farms level,
the length of the protocol is something important so it can be
long for first insemination postpartum but should be as short
as possible in the case of resynchronizing open cows in order
to reduce the number of days open.
In this study we tried two protocols for first AI: the G6G pro-
tocol, modified to end as Cosynch (with the last GnRH dose at
the same time of AI), with 6 handlings, that lasts for 18 days,
and a 7 d Cosynch plus progesterone device, with 4 handlings,
that lasts for 10 d. For resynchronizing open cows we used a
Resynch protocol (modified for administering the last GnRH
at the same time of AI) starting with a GnRH 7 d before preg-
nancy diagnosis, with 4 handlings, that lasts for 3 d from the
diagnosis of open cow. We analyzed some factors that could
affect these protocols to understand how they can be used to
improve reproduction efficiency in comercial dairy farms
Materials and methods: The study was conducted during
2019 in 12 dairy farms located in León, Spain. A total of 994
synchronization protocols were performed and the cows were
explored by a veterinarian at the moment of insemination
to evaluate the size of the follicle and the signs of estrus at
uterine and ovarian level to inseminate only cows with estrus
signs.
The cows enrolled for first AI were treated as “Group G6G”
(n=421): day 0 PG, day 2 GnRH, day 8 GnRH, day 15 PG,
day 16 PG, and day 18 AI plus GnRH; “Group progesterone
device” (n= 227): day 0 GnRH + insertion of progesterone de-
vice, day 7 PG and progesterone device removal, day 8 PG,
day 10 AI plus GnRH. In a subgroup of cows in groups “Pro-
gesterone device” and “G6G”, blood samples were collected
at the beginning of the Cosynch, at the moment of the first
prostaglandin of the Cosynch and at the moment of AI. The
cows that didn’t show return in estrus, were enrolled as “Group
Resynch” (n=346) receiving GnRH 7 d before the examination
and if diagnosed “open” the day of the pregnancy diagnosis,
they were treated: day 0 PG, day 1 PG, day 3 AI plus GnRH.
Data were analyzed with Medicalc® and the different chi-
square test were performed for every variable.
Results: The synchronization rate was evaluated as per-
centage of cows accepted for AI and was high for the three
groups: “G6G” 84.03%, “Progesterone device” 88.33% and
“Resynch” 94.02% (p=0,057) with progesterone concentra-
tion profiles corresponding with that findings: beginning of
Cosynch 2,16 ng/ml, first PG 2,90 ng/ml and moment of AI
0,32 ng/ml. The conception rate was high in the three groups:
“G6G” 44.89%, “Progesterone device” 40.53% and “Resynch”
371
ORAL — Reproduction in Dairy Cattle
49,42%, (p=0,11). The median days to AI were significantly
different in inseminations with diagnosis “pregnant” or “open”:
open 121.47 and pregnant 134.08. (p=0.007). The conception
rate of different follicle sizes were 10 to 15: 40.43%, 16 to 20:
40.00% and > 20: 30.77 (p=0.45%). The conception rate of
different parities were 1: 49.86%, 2: 44.73%, 3 : 39,13% and
cows with 4 or more calvings 49.26%. (p=0.08).
Conclusions: The numerical differences in conception
rate between protocols could have been influenced by the
days in milk at AI so, taking into account the high synchroniza-
tion rate and fertility of these fertility protocols, they can be im-
plemented at farm level, the longer ones for first post-partum
AI considering their easiness of compliance, and the shorter
one for a fast resynchronization of open cows.
The decreasing conception rate by parity have been previ-
ously reported, but the high conception rate in cows with 4 or
more calvings could be influenced by the retention of the most
fertile cows, showing that the retention of some old fertile cows
could extend the general longevity of farms.
Keywords: Fertility, protocol, post-partum, resynchroniza-
tion, insemination.
RD-23
Adiponectin and Chemerin in the endometrium of
postpartum dairy cows with cytological endometritis
Gonçalo Pereira1, Ricardo Bexiga1, João Chagas E Silva1, Elisabete
Silva1, Christelle Ramé2, Joelle Dupont2, Patrice Humblot3, Luis
Lopes-Da-Costa1.
1
CIISA - Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal,
Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa,
Portugal; 2INRAE, UMR85 Physiologie de la Reproduction et des
Comportements, 37380, Nouzilly, France; 3Division of Reproduction,
Department of Clinical Sciences, SLU, Uppsala, Sweden.
Objective: To evaluate the relationship between the gene
transcription and expression of Adiponectin (ADIPOQ, AD-
IPOR1 and ADIPOR2) and Chemerin (RARRES2 and CM-
KLR1), and the inflammatory status of the uterus of postpar-
tum dairy cows.
Materials and methods: High-yielding postpartum dairy
cows (n=36) without puerperal disease were retrospectively
allocated to groups: i) Healthy (H; n=6), without cytological
endometritis (CE) at 25 and 45 days postpartum (dpp) and
pregnant at first AI; ii) CE-H (n=19), with CE at 25 dpp, but that
recovered by 45 dpp; iii) CE-CE (n=11), with persistent CE
until 45 dpp. Endometrial cytology was assessed from uter-
ine swabs taken with a cytobrush device at 25 and 45 dpp
(cut-off values: 18 % and 5 %, respectively). At 45 dpp, a low
volume lavage followed by centrifugation, allowed to obtain
cellular pellet and supernatant samples of each uterine horn.
An endometrial biopsy was also taken from each uterine horn.
Gene transcription of ADIPOQ and its receptors (ADIPOR1
and ADIPOR2), and of chemerin (RARRES2) and its receptor
(CMKLR1) was analysed in the cellular pellet by quantitative
real-time PCR. Protein expression was analysed by immu-
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
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nohistochemistry (IHC) in endometrial biopsy samples and
protein production (ADIPOQ and RARRES2) by ELISA in the
supernatants.
Results: Transcription levels of ADIPOQ and ADIPOR2
were higher (p < 0.001) in CE-CE than in H and CE-H cows,
whereas ADIPOR1 mRNA levels were lower (p < 0.05) in CE-
CE cows than in H cows. Transcription levels of RARRES2
and CMKLR1 were higher in CE-CE than in H and CE-H cows
(p < 0.01). Positive immunostaining for ADIPOQ was observed
in the luminal and glandular epithelium, endothelial cells, stro-
ma and inflammatory cells of all cows. However, CE-CE cows
exhibited a stronger staining than H and CE-H cows. Staining
for ADIPOR1 was only observed in the luminal and glandular
epithelium, whereas ADIPOR2 also stained in stroma and in-
flammatory cells. Staining for RARRES2 and CMKLR1 was
observed in all endometrial compartments of all cows. How-
ever, RARRES2 staining showed a stronger signal in CE-CE
than in H and CE-H cows. Uterine fluid ADIPOQ and RAR-
RES2 concentrations were higher (p < 0.001) in CE-CE than
in H and CE-H cows.
Conclusions: At 45 dpp, cows with persistent CE show
up-regulated gene transcription and protein expression of Ad-
iponectin and Chemerin in the endometrium, compared with
healthy cows and cows that recovered from CE. Results sup-
port a local production of these mediators, and a relationship
with the inflammatory status of the postpartum uterus of dairy
cows. The local production and signalling of these adipokines
prompt for an autocrine and/or paracrine role in the inflam-
matory response exhibited by cows with subclinical endome-
tritis. This turns these adipokines into potential biomarkers of
endometrial inflammation, namely to identify cows at risk of
persistent subclinical endometritis. However, further studies
are warranted to clarify their role in the establishment of sub-
clinical endometritis.
Funding: FORMAS (Grant No 2015-00888) and CIISA
UIDP/CVT/00276/2020. Gonçalo Pereira has a PhD grant
from FCT (SFRH/BD/130923/2017).
Keywords: Adiponectin, Chemerin, Endometritis, Cow.
RD-24
The Effect of Postpartum Metabolic Diseases on Fertility in
Lactating Dairy Cows
Gulsum Selcuk Kaya1, Serdar Dursun Ak1, İ̇smailİi̇lk Kocaer1, Ahmet
Gumen2, Gulnaz Mecitoglu2, Abdulkadir Orman2.
Atasancak Dairy Farm, Denizli, Turkey; 2Bursa Uludag University,
1
Bursa, Turkey.
Postpartum (PP) metabolic disorders may become more
important for the modern high producing lactating dairy cows.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of PP meta-
bolic disorders on fertility in dairy cows. The study was con-
ducted in a dairy farm with 5000 lactating dairy cows and milk
yield was 11.148 kg for 305 d in 2019. Primiparous and mul-
tiparous cows were evaluated for metabolic disorders such as
Retained Placenta (RP), Septic metritis (SM, Fever >39.4˚C

and reddish vaginal discharge with fetid odor after DIM 5), Milk
fever (MF), Ketosis (BHBA higher than 1.2 ng/ml, DIM 3-7)
and Displaced abomasum (DA). In multiparous cows, BCS
(at the close up period) and its relation to PP metabolic dis-
orders were also evaluated. All cows were timed inseminat-
ed (TAI at 75-81 DIM) with Double Ovsynch protocol for first
service and second service were done by Resynch protocol
(GnRH-7d-GnRH-7d-PGF-1d-PGF-56h-GnRH-16-20h TAI).
Pregnancy diagnosis were done at the time of the first PGF
(30-36 d after TAI) by ultrasonography. In multiparous cows
mean BCS was higher (P<0.01) in the cows with PP metabolic
disorders compared to the cows without metabolic disorders
(BCS 3.42, BCS 3.37, respectively). Pregnancy rate after first
(33.0%), and second (29.5%) service were higher (P<0.002)
in multiparous cows without PP metabolic disorders compared
to the multiparous cows with at least one metabolic disorders
(21.7%, 19.0% respectively). Pregnancy rate of multiparous
cows after first service was negatively effected (P<0.001)
in the cows with RP, SM, and ketosis, tended to be effected
(P<0.09) with MF, but not effected with DA. In addition, cows
with ketosis had also lower (P< 0.03) pregnancy rates after
second services. However in primiparous cows pregnancy
rate was lower (P<0.03) only in cows with Ketosis. Thus, cows
with higher BCS at close up period at higher risk of having PP
metabolic disorders and cows with some of the metabolic dis-
orders such as RP, SM and ketosis in early PP period having
more effect on fertility at first service. The negative effect of
ketosis on fertility may be more prominent compared to other
PP metabolic disorders, because it’s long lasting affect and in
both primiparous and multiparous cows. Interestingly, primipa-
rous cows less effected from metabolic disorders than multip-
arous cows except ketosis.
Keywords: Metabolic disorders, Fertility, lactating dairy
cows.
RD-25
Key performance indicators used by dairy consultants
during the evaluation of reproductive performance in a
first visit
Ramon Armengol1, Lorenzo Fraile1, Àlex Bach2.
Universitat de Lleida, Lleida, Spain; Marlex, Barcelona, Spain.
1 2
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to (1) describe
the KPI that consultants specialized in dairy reproduction use
to assess the reproductive status of a conventional dairy farm
in a first visit, (2) categorize the different KPI according to their
importance to the consultants, and (3) identify primary KPI that
could be universally used in first visit to a conventional dairy
farm.
Materials and methods: An online survey was sent world-
wide and answered by consultants specialized in dairy repro-
duction (n=49) to find out the most suitable parameters in a first
visit approach. The survey was comprised of 190 questions,
178 of them rated from 0 (irrelevant) to 10 (maximum impor-
tance) points. The questions were divided into 5 sections: 1)
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Reproduction in Dairy Cattle
consultant and farm model, 2) general data of the farm, 3) cow
reproduction, 4) postpartum and metabolic disease, and 5)
heifer reproduction. The median, range, and 95% confidence
interval were determined for each question. Afterwards, a mul-
tivariate analysis, using between-group linkage via Ward´s
hierarchical clustering was conducted to generate clusters of
consultants according to their response pattern. Lastly, a Chi-
square test was conducted to assess the association between
years of experience of the consultant and farm size within the
clusters generated in each section of the questionnaire.
Results: The majority of the consultants considered 27
parameters to be highly important to analyze in a first visit.
The parameters that consultants specialized in dairy repro-
duction mostly consider as primary KPI are:
General data of the farm: Culling rate (%), pregnant cows
(%), average DIM (d), cows culled for reproductive reason (%),
305-d yield (Kg), herd status for BVDV (present/absent) and %
of 1st lactation cows in the herd.
Cows’ reproduction: First service CR (%), overall pregnan-
cy rate (%), voluntary waiting period (d), CR (%), heat detec-
tion rate (%), days open (d), cows not pregnant >200DIM (%),
21d. pregnancy rate (%), CR of the first service in 1st lactation
cows, CR of the first service in multiparous cows (%), CR of
the 1st lactation cows (%), CR of the multiparous cows (%),
calving to first service interval (d), CR synchronized cows (%)
and percent conceiving of served (%).
Heifers’ reproduction: Heat detection rate (%), CR (%), CR
of the first service (%), age at first calving (d) and heifers culled
for reproductive reason (%).
Conclusion: Consultants never use only one single pri-
mary KPI to evaluate any of the presented sections, but they
use several of them (in variable quantitative range). Despite
the presence of a great number of parameters likely to be KPI
to assess the reproductive performance of a farm, consultants
clearly prefer parameters that provide information about heat
detection, fertility and when the pregnancy is achieved regard-
ing to the production cycle of a dairy cow.
Consultants also show high interest in getting a general
overview of milk production, the farming efficiency and the
heifer rearing process but the farm size and the years of expe-
rience of the consultant is other factor influencing in the type
and numbers of parameters chosen to be KPI.
The parameters rated with the highest importance (rate
10) that could be considered for an easy, fast and universal
use in a first visit to assess the reproductive status were: First
service CR (%), overall pregnancy rate (%) and 21d pregnan-
cy rate (%) for cows and age at first calving (d) for heifers.
Parameters that monitor postpartum and metabolic dis-
eases are not considered necessary to evaluate the reproduc-
tion performance of a farm in a first visit.
Keywords: survey analysis, dairy consultant, reproductive
performance, first visit, KPI.
373
ORAL — Reproduction in Dairy Cattle
RD-26
Elevated tail: clinical sign for the early diagnosis of vaginal
pathologies
Angel Revilla Ruiz1, Susana Astiz2, Raquel Patrón Collantes1, Juan
Vicente González-Martín1.
1
Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain; 2Animal
Reproduction Department, National Institute of Agronomic Research
(INIA), Madrid, Spain.
Elevated tail is a feature seen around defecation and uri-
nation. It is a clinical sign present in pathologies related to
reproduction, urinary and digestive systems. In reproduction,
this sign has been observed with calving contusions and he-
matomas of the vagina; with minor vaginal traumas after mat-
ing or vaginal explorations; and in cases of necrotic vaginitis,
vestibulitis, and vulvitis postpartum. The sign occurs within
1–4 days post calving and it may persist for 2–4 weeks, un-
til vaginitis resolves, except in cases of vaginal lacerations,
pneumo, and urovagina in which the raised tail may stay in
time. Vaginal disorders such as pneumovagina and urovagina
reduce the fertility of the cow and they are conditions frequent-
ly underdiagnosed. In large farms with intensive reproduction
management systems, it is uncommon to perform complete
reproductive exploration of cows, including the vagina, of all
cows, before first service. However, some cows can keep vag-
inal problems since calving and are diagnosed at the earliest
as repeat breeder with >200 days in milk, as non-pregnant
after≥3 services, when the correcting surgery may be not any
more profitable.
Objectives: The present study assesses the usefulness of
the sign of “elevated tail” as an indicator to detect in an easy
and fast way, cows with vaginal pathologies. Our hypothesis
was that selecting those post calving cows raising their tail, for
a complete vaginal exploration during routine farm visits, will
provide an early diagnosis of vaginal pathologies, allowing an
efficient treatment of them, without notable extra work, reduc-
ing the culling rate due to reproduction.
Materials and methods: We worked in three Spanish
dairy farms of 73, 263 and 250 cows in milk/farm, respectively,
during one routine reproductive control. The cows that showed
elevated tail at the visit (excluding those which were defecat-
ing, urinating, less than a day calvingor had recently been
inseminated), were completely explored. This exam included
rectal palpation, ultrasound exam and vaginal exploration, try-
ing to identify the type of problem and vaginal content. The
presence of air, urine, other vaginal content, and tears was
recorded.
Results: A total of 586 cows in milk were present during
these visits; 28 raised their tail (4.78%). In 7 cases out of 28
(25%) no pathologies were diagnosed, which would make
a sensibility for the sign used as diagnoses method of 75%
with 25% of false negatives. The remaining 21 animals (75%)
showed the following reproductive problems: postpartum vagi-
nitis in 6 cases (21.42%); pneumovagina 6 (21.42%); urovagi-
na 4 (14.29%), pneumo and urovagina 3 (10.71%) and vaginal
laceration 2 (7.14%).
Conclusions: Our preliminary results seem to indicate
that the clinical sign of an elevated tail may allow to efficiently
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
374
select, with a high probability (≈75%), those cows with vagi-
nal pathologies for a further and complete examination. This
method will allow their prompt treatment, reducing the culling
rate due to reproduction. Further studies will be implemented
to describe the validity of this clinical sign as a diagnosis meth-
od of vaginal disorders in dairy cows.
Keywords: Tail, elevated, urovagina, pneumovagina, di-
agnosis.
RD-27
Uterine contractility patterns of early puerperal
hypocalcaemic dairy cows without and with fetal membrane
retention
Arpad Csaba Bajcsy1, Gergő Kürtös2, Laura Zámbó3, János Tibold4,
Imre Élö4, István Mádl4, Ottó Szenci5.
University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover,
1
Clinic for Cattle, Germany; 2Turul Veterinary Clinic and Pharmacy,
Gödöllö, Hungary; 3Animal Hospital, Veszprém, Hungary; 4Bonafarm
Group, Agroprodukt, Pápa, Zsigaháza, Hungary; 5MTA-SzIE Large
Animal Clinical Research Group, Üllő, Hungary.
Objectives: Characteristics of the early postpartum uter-
ine contractility based on the measurement of intrauterine
pressure (IUP) changes in hypocalcaemic cows without and
with retained placenta during the first two days after calving
has been compared in a field study.
Materials and methods: Myometrial contractions of alto-
gether 31 early puerperal Holstein-Friesian cows at a large-
scale Hungarian dairy farm were repeatedly measured using
an open tip catheter system, which was suitable for digital in-
trauterine pressure (IUP) recording. Cows were divided into
four groups according to their initial coccygeal venous blood
Ca2+-concentrations, which was measured on site between 14
and 17 hours after calving (ABLTM 77 portable blood gas and
electrolyte analyser, Radiometer, Copenhagen, Denmark) and
upon their status regarding placental expulsion. Cows that had
lower than 1.06 mmol/l blood Ca2+ concentrations at this first
blood withdrawal either belonged to Group HC-NRFM (hypo-
calcaemic, no retained fetal membranes, n=12) or to Group
HC-RFM (hypocalcaemic, retained fetal membranes, n=6),
while others that had at least 1.06 mmol/l blood Ca2+, belonged
either to Group NC-NRFM (normocalcaemic, no retained fetal
membranes, n=8) or to Group NC-RFM (normocalcaemic, re-
tained fetal membranes, n=5). Initially, a 4-hour IUP recording
was performed, starting between 14 and 17 hours after calving,
from which only the first hour was used for the recent analysis
(labelled as pp12). In 12-hour intervals, three further record-
ings took place with a duration of 1 hour for each (labelled as
pp24, pp36 and pp48, respectively). IUP data were collected
from the previously pregnant uterine horn and were analysed
using a semiautomatic, operator-made software (LabVIEW®
5.0, National Instruments, Austin, TX). Mean contraction fre-
quency (FREQ), amplitude (AMP), duration (DUR), mean and
total area under the pressure curves (AUC and TAUC) of the
pressure cycles were calculated. At the end of each recording

session a further blood withdrawal has been made to deter-
mine Ca2+ concentrations.
Beside discovering possible associations among values of
various IUP parameters and blood Ca2+ concentrations by the
use of a regression analysis, repeated measures analysis of
variance was used to calculate group- and time-related dif-
ferences. In case of significance at P<0.05, Tukey post-hoc
tests were performed to explore where significance between
groups, recording times or their interactions appeared (STA-
TISTICA v. 6.1., Statsoft, Inc., Tulsa, OK).
Results: All hypocalcaemic cows had a mild to moderate
level of hypocalcaemia with the lowest initial Ca2+ concentra-
tion of 0.74 mmol/l in two cows. In all IUP parameters time
dependent significant declines were found (P<0.001) when
neither RFM nor Ca2+ status were distinguished. When both
the effect of RFM and Ca2+ status were considered, also none
of the parameters showed in their values an overall signifi-
cant difference at P<0.05, which would have been attributed
to either of these group differences. However, at pp12, hy-
pocalcaemic cows with RFM had higher TAUC values, rep-
resenting a more active uterine contractility than their NRFM
alternatives (P=0.0064). At pp12 TAUC was significantly
higher in cows with RFM (P=0.0014) and at pp24 AUC also
in such cows (P=0.0325) without considering the initial levels
of blood Ca2+. However, without considering the time effect,
despite consequently higher mean values in all IUP parame-
ters in RFM cows, the differences were statistically not signif-
icant at P<0.05. When the grouping effect according to initial
Ca2+ levels has not been taken into account, except DUR, all
IUP parameters showed significantly higher overall means in
cows with RFM than in cows without (FREQ: P=0.0017, AMP:
P=0.0079, AUC: P=0.0020 and TAUC: P=0.0001), while the
level of such hypocalcaemia did not influence uterine contrac-
tility. Blood Ca2+ has significantly changed by declining from
pp12 to pp24 and gradually increasing thereafter (P=0.012),
but among cows with and without RFM, no difference was
found regarding this parameter.
Conclusions: Dairy cows with mild or moderate hypocal-
caemia during the first two days postpartum showed rather
similar uterine contractility patterns with a significant time re-
lated decline, however, cows with RFM had higher uterine me-
chanical activity, irrespective of their calcium status within the
mentioned range.
Keywords: Cattle, Uterine contractility, Hypocalcaemia,
Placenta retention.
RD-28
Novel methods to analyse mucus. Use of FTIR-spectroscopy
to examine bovine cervical vaginal mucus
Ida Beate Løken1, Volha Akulava1, Achim Kohler1, Volha Shapaval1,
Michael Morris2, Adam Martin1.
Norwegian University of Life Scienses, Ås, Norway; 2Univerity of the
1
West Indies, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Reproduction in Dairy Cattle
Objective: Cervical vaginal mucus (CVM) has important
functions related to reproduction and reproductive disease in
cattle. To facilitate further study of CVM, an appropriate meth-
od of storing and processing CVM samples needs to be de-
veloped. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of
different methods of storage and processing of CVM on the
spectra obtained by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spec-
troscopy.
Material and Method: 16 CVM samples were taken from
15 Norwegian Red dairy cows housed at Livestock Production
Research Centre at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences.
The cows were selected based on convenience of the like-
lihood that they would be able to provide 2ml of CVM when
sampled.
The cows were secured, and their vulvas cleaned with a
chlorhexidine solution, before being dried with paper towel. A
Metricheck™ device was used to sample CVM. The samples
were transferred to Eppendorf® tubes. All samples underwent
light microscopy to characterise ferning patterns before freez-
ing and after thawing.
The samples were separated into two equal groups (1 and
2) and processed as follows: 1) Samples were further split into
two groups and frozen (FRO) or frozen and freeze-dried (FD).
2) Samples were split into two groups and frozen (FRO) or
kept fresh (F).
FRO: Samples were frozen in a freezer at -20°C.
FD: samples were frozen in a freezer at -20°C before being
freeze-dried in a Labconco freeze-drier using high vacuum at
-52°C. The samples were mixed with approximately 100µl wa-
ter/g dried sample and 70g of acid washed glass beads (710-
1, 180µm) /g sample before disrupting.
F: Fresh samples were treated directly after sampling.
Once processing was complete, the FRO and FD were
thawed at room temperature. The F and FRO groups under-
went one of five treatments. These were: no treatment, three
durations of ultrasound treatment (5s, 10, s and 15s), and dis-
ruptor treatment. The FRO and F disruptor-treatment involved
0.5ml of mucus applied to 250mg of acid washed glass beads.
All disruptor samples were run on a work program (5500 rpm,
6 cycles à 20s, 20s pause) in a Precellys Evolution disrupt-
er-machine. For the ultrasound treatment, 0.5ml of mucus was
placed on ice and homogenized with an ultrasonic homogeniz-
er a 2mm tip was inserted 1cm into the mucus with amplitude
of 40%. Five second exposures were applied once, twice or
three times, giving samples exposed 5, 10 and 15 seconds.
After treatment, all samples were transferred to
IR-light-transparent silicon 384-well microplates (Bruker Optik,
Germany), approximately 10µl/ well, with 3 replications, and
dried at room temperature. FTIR spectroscopy was performed
using a high-throughput screening eXTension (HTS-XT) unit
coupled to a Vertex 70 FTIR spectrometer (both Bruker Optik,
Germany) allowing performance of high-throughput screening
(HTS) transmission mode measurements. The spectra were
recorded in the region between 4000 and 500 cm−1 with a
spectral resolution of 6 cm−1 and an aperture of 5.0 mm.
A general analysis of the whole spectra was performed be-
fore the different informative regions were analysed. Spectra
in the 1654 cm−1-region <0.2 or >2.5, were removed from the
analysis. The data were pre-processed using a second de-
375
ORAL — Reproduction in Dairy Cattle

rivative calculated with the Savitzky-Golay algorithm, window

size 11, second polynomial order. Three informative regions
were split as follows: lipids (3050–2800 cm−1 and 1800–1700
cm−1), proteins (1700–1500 cm−1) and polysaccharides
(1200–700 cm−1). The whole spectra and the informative re-
gions were all pre-processed using Extended Multiplicative
Signal Correction (EMSC) and analysed with principal com-
ponent analysis.
Results: Light-microscopy showed little, or no, change in
ferning patterns before and after freezing. All the preparation
methods improved handling and homogenisation compared
to the F group. Scatterplots show that the variable individual
cow had a greater effect on the spectra (general and informa-
tive groups) than the preparation method. However, variation
exists between preparation methods within cow. The F sam-
ples show most inter-cow variation, followed by the ultrasound
treated samples. Whilst the disruptor samples show least vari-
ation.
Conclusions: Provisional results reveal that a homo-
genising technique may be useful in measuring changes in
CVM. Further work needs to be performed to identify the op-
timal dilution for sample analysis. Treatment with disruptors
appears to provide a better result than ultrasonographic treat-
ments, although this needs further study. Freezing does not
seem to alter the results.
Keywords: Cervical vaginal mucus, bovine, Fourier Trans-
form Infrared spectroscopy.

31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID

376

SP-01
Health and production benefits in veal calves born from NCD
and BRD vaccinated cows
Magdéléna Chanteperdrix1, Béatrice Mounaix1, Marlène Guiadeur1,
Christophe Martineau1, Sébastien Assié2, Sylvie Masselin1, Christophe
Le Nouvel3, Frédéric Leboeuf3, Geert Vertenten4, Thibault Jozan3.
1
Institut de l’Elevage, Paris, France; 2Oniris, site de la Chantrerie,
Nantes, France; 3MSD Santé Animale, Beaucouzé, France; 4MSD
Animal Health, Boxmeer, Netherlands.
Objectives: Neonatal calf diarrhea (NCD) and bovine re-
spiratory disease (BRD) are the most important health prob-
lems in veal calves. Given the increased pressure to reduce
intensive antimicrobial use, vaccination may be an efficient
measure to reduce the use of antibiotics in the treatment and
prevention of BRD and NCD in young animals. Passive immu-
nity transfer from vaccinated dams may be applied for the pre-
vention of NCD whereas BRD protection can be provided by
vaccinating the calves but also by passive immunity transfer.
The objective of this study was to measure the benefit of
vaccinating pregnant cows against NCD and BRD (Rotavec®
Corona and Bovilis® Bovipast RSP) on the health and produc-
tion in veal calves.
Materials and methods: 211 calves that received ade-
quate colostrum from cows vaccinated with inactivated mul-
tivalent vaccines against NCD (Rotavec Corona) and BRD
(Bovilis Bovipast RSP) (V2+) and 220 calves without known
history (V-) were equally divided over 10 veal farms at an
age of at least 14 days and compared for clinical NCD, BRD,
weight and general condition at 3 (d3) and 45 (d45) days post
arrival, antibiotic treatments, mortality and carcass weight.
Results: At d3, V2+ (11.4%) had less clinical BRD com-
pared to V- (19.1%) (P=0.028). The weight at d3 was higher
(P=0.026) in V2+ compared to V- and the calves in V2+ were
in better condition. The mortality in V2+ (2.8%) was signifi-
cantly (P=0.01) lower than V- (11.8%). The odds of mortality in
V2+ was 4.57 times lower than in V- (P=0.01). V2+ received
about one antibiotic treatment less compared to V- (P=0.02)
(3.5 versus 2.9). All other measured parameters were not sta-
tistically significant different, which is not surprising for NCD at
d3 and d45 post arrival as NCD occurs mainly before arrival
at the veal unit.
Conclusions: This study clearly describes several health
and production benefits in veal calves receiving adequate co-
lostrum from mother cows that were vaccinated against NCD
and BRD (respectively with Rotavec Corona and Bovilis Bo-
vipast RSP). It reinforces the interest to strengthen the rela-
tionship between the dairy and veal sector, in order for health
investments in dairy calves (e.g. vaccination) to be appreciat-
ed by the benefiting veal producers.
Keywords: Veal, mother vaccination, BRD, scours, ben-
efits.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Sustainable Cattle Productive Systems
SP-02
Age at First Calving in UK Jerseys; Impact on First Lactation
305-day Milk Yield, Lifetime Daily Milk Yield, Calving
Interval and Survival to Second Lactation
Fiona Boothby1, David Grove-White2, Georgios Oikonomou2, Jo
Oultram2.
Vale Veterinary Group, Cullompton, Devon, UK, Cullompton, United
1
Kingdom; 2University of Liverpool, Leahurst campus, United Kingdom.
Objectives: To determine the association between Age at
Fist Calving (AFC) and production, fertility and survivability in
Jersey heifers, and to compare this with published literature
on Holstein heifers
Material and methods: Lactation records from 7255 ped-
igree Jersey heifers from 471 UK milk recorded herds, calv-
ing for the first time from 1st January 2009 to 31st December
2010, were examined. Heifers were grouped by AFC into 4
groups comprised of AFC 18-24 months, 25-26 months, 27-
29 months, and 30-36 months. Mixed effects multivariable
regression modelling and binary logistic regression modelling
was used for data analysis.
Results: Increased Lifetime daily yield (LDY) was sig-
nificantly associated with a reduced AFC; heifers calving at
18-24-month-old produce 9.87 kg milk/day (mean) (CI: 9.64-
10.11) (P=<0.000001), nearly 1 litre more than those calving at
30-36 months (mean 8.94kg; CI: 8.72-9.16). Calving UK Jer-
sey heifers at 24 months or below is optimal. There was some
evidence that lower AFC may be associated with enhanced
fertility; heifers calving at 25-26 months had a significantly low-
er mean calving interval (391 days; CI 386-397) than those
calving over 30 months (399; CI 394-405) (P=0.03). Heifers
with an AFC over 30 months were less likely to survive to sec-
ond lactation than those with an AFC 18-24 months; odds ratio
1.75 (CI 1.38-2.23) (P=<0.0001) more likely to fail to reach
second lactation than heifers calving at younger ages.
Season of first calving had a significant impact. Spring calv-
ing heifers produced significantly less milk per day (9.87kg;
CI: 9.64-10.1) than Autumn (10.18; CI: 9.94-10.41) or Winter
calvers (10.07; CI: 9.84-10.3) (P=<0.01). Heifers that calved
in the winter had a significantly shorter calving interval (389
days; CI: 394-383) (P=<0.01) than heifers calved in any other
season.
Conclusion: The results of this study show the importance
of achieving a low AFC which was associated with increased
lifetime daily milk yield, improved reproductive performance
and increased odds of calving for the second time. Calving
heifers over 30 months is associated with significantly poor-
er survivability, fertility and lifetime production parameters.
The impact of AFC on Jersey production, fertility and longev-
ity traits shows a similar to trend to that seen in the Holstein,
though potentially on a lesser scale.
Keywords: AFC, Jersey, heifers, UK, dairy.
377
ORAL — Sustainable Cattle Productive Systems
SP-03
A randomised control trial to explore the effect of overall
space allowance in adult dairy cow housing on reproductive
performance, behaviour and milk yield
Jake Thompson1, Christopher Hudson1, Jonathan Huxley2, Robert
Robinson1, Kathryn Woad1, Nicola Bollard1, Jasmeet Kaler1, Martin
Green1.
University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom; 2Massey
1
University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Objectives:
• To support the evidence base on optimal methods to
house dairy cows.
• To evaluate the impact of living space on dairy cow re-
productive performance, behaviour and production.
• To evaluate the extent to which the impact depends on
parity and days in milk.
Materials and Methods: A randomised [1:1], controlled,
long term (364 day), parallel-group, cross-over study designed
to evaluate the superiority/ inferiority of a spatial intervention
was undertaken. This research was conducted in accordance
with government regulations under a Home Office License, in
a unique, purpose-built facility, which allowed precise mea-
surement and configuration of the housed area. The study had
a cross over design to account for differences between pen
location.
Cows were matched based on parity and days in milk
(±3days for cows ≤ 2nd parity, ±5days for cows ≥ 3rd parity) then
randomly allocated into a control group (total: 9m2 per cow, liv-
ing space: 3m2 per cow; based on GB median) and high space
group (total: 14m2 per cow, living space: 6.5m2 per cow; based
on GB upper 95%ile). The environment was controlled and
matched for each group, excluding floor space allowance. A
mirror image set-up was used to place the water trough area,
electric brush and mineral access. Feed-face length, cubicle
stocking density and design were identical. Both groups expe-
rienced the same management routines.
Data collection included insemination data and key repro-
ductive events (e.g. conception), ultrasound scanning in early
lactation, anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) blood sample at week
5 for ELISA and milk sampling (3x per week at 14-84DIM) for
progesterone ELISA. Production data was recorded via Lely
Astronaut A4’s, to provide daily yield per cow, alongside rumi-
nation time and weight. Cows were fitted with location sensors
providing position and acceleration data for each cow using a
novel wireless sensor system (Omnisense Series 500 Clus-
ter Geolocation System) every 7s. Direct comparisons were
made between time budgets for both groups. Key behavioural
activities analysed were time spent in designated areas such
as loafing areas, freestall and environmental enrichment use.
Data analyses were undertaken in R statistical software,
including survival analysis, mixed-effects-modelling, non-lin-
ear regression and bootsampling methods.
Results: Compared to cows in the commercial average
space (control group), cows in the high-space group produced
more milk per 305-day lactation (first parity cows; 12,235L vs
11,592L, P<0.01, parity >1 cows 14,746L vs 14,644L, P<0.01).
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
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There was a difference in median time to conception be-
tween groups; the control group median was 101 days (95%CI:
82-143 days) and high-space group 134 days (95%CI: 105-
202 days), with a P-value of 0.02. A Cox-proportional hazards
model revealed a reduced time to conception in the control
compared to high-space group (hazard ratio 0.6, 95%CI: 0.35-
0.94, p=0.03). Pregnancy rates (number of conceptions/in-
seminations) in the control vs high-space group were 40% and
25% respectively (p=0.049). Commencement of luteal activity
(based on milk progesterone concentrations) showed no sig-
nificant difference between groups; medians were 39 days for
control and 38 days for high-space groups. No differences in
time to first service, week 5 AMH concentrations, endometritis
scores or antral follicle counts between groups were detected.
Cows with greater living space availability spent more time
in lying (64 minutes/d) and feeding (10 minutes/d) areas, and
less time in passageways (67 mins/d).
Conclusions: This is the first long term study in dairy
cows to demonstrate that increased living space results in
meaningful benefits in terms of productivity and behaviour.
However, the cows with greater living space took significantly
longer to conceive than cows in the control group, despite no
detectable changes to underlying reproductive physiological
parameters. Living space is a basic requirement for all housed
dairy cows yet its fundamental impact on physiology, health,
reproduction and welfare has been scarcely researched. It is
likely that additional living space will be of benefit to adult dairy
cows but further research is required into generalisability and
cost-effectiveness of providing increased space to ensure it’s
sustainable.
Keywords: Dairy cow, housing, production, behaviour, re-
production.
SP-04
Motivation of dairy farmers to engage in primary
prevention: current situation, drivers, and perceived
constraints
Marijn Stok1, Jantijn Swinkels2, Nadia Lahaye1, Merel Martena1,
Geert Vertenten2, Tine Van Werven1, Ruurd Jorritsma1.
Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands; 2MSD Animal Health,
1
Boxmeer, Netherlands.
Objective: While bovine veterinary medicine was tradi-
tionally focused on treatment of diseased animals, disease
prevention is currently generally accepted as the preferred
strategy, as this approach is favorable for animal welfare, high-
ly appreciated by the general public, and also economically at-
tractive for farmers. Instead of allowing diseases to occur and
prevent it from getting worse (tertiary prevention), or to pre-
vent it from re-occurring in the future (secondary prevention),
primary prevention, is implemented before the occurrence of
any clinical or subclinical disease. Despite the benefits of pri-
mary disease prevention, it remains challenging for many vet-
erinarians to convince farmers to focus on it. This study was
designed to explore underlying psychological constructs to be

able to understand why farmers do or do not (yet) engage in
primary preventative practices. Such underlying factors can
both facilitate and hinder the performance of primary preven-
tion practices.
Materials & Methods: We conducted an online survey
in 15 Dutch veterinary practices. We used three established
frameworks in our study: the Transtheoretical model, the
Theory of Planned Behavior, and the Capabilities-Opportuni-
ties-Motivation-Behavior model.
The survey included close-ended questions probing the
relevant psychological constructs from the three guiding
frameworks, open-ended questions to allow respondents to
provide additional in-depth information about either claw or calf
health, and questions about specific preventative behaviors.
Responding farmers were randomly assigned to questions on
the prevention of claw or calf diseases. For claw health, the
explored specific behaviors were keeping floors dry and clean;
preventive claw trimming; and preventing overcrowding – for
calf health, these specific behaviors were feeding colostrum
within 2 hours after birth; using a separate maternity unit; and
cleaning the calf hutches after every use.
Results: Respondents were 226 dairy farmers: 111 were
assigned to questions on the primary prevention of claw dis-
ease, while the remaining 115 completed questions on the
prevention of calf disease.
Most dairy farmers appeared to be in the action and main-
tenance stages of change, with about 70% already engaging
in primary preventative behavior regarding claw or calf health.
In addition, dairy farmers viewed preventative behaviors in
general highly favorably and were highly motivated to perform
primary preventative behaviors. Together, this shows a strong
willingness to engage in primary prevention to promote claw
and calf health among the target group. Results also indicated
that there are factors which hamper farmers’ ability to consis-
tently engage in all targeted behaviors. These were, primar-
ily, the limited importance of unsupported social norms (i.e.
seeing other farmers engage in preventative behaviors and
feeling like performing preventative behaviors is supported by
others), confined available resources (i.e. time, equipment, fa-
cilities), and low habitualness of the behavior (the extent to
which a behavior is engrained and performed almost automat-
ically). These are thus important factors to target with tailored
interventions, since improving upon them is likely to lead to
increased preventative behavior.
Conclusion: We found that participating farmers had
a strong willingness to engage in primary prevention, which
could be supported by increased the importance of social
norms, available resources, and engraining of preventive be-
havior.
Keywords: Drivers, constraints, primary prevention, dairy
farmers.
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ORAL — Sustainable Cattle Productive Systems
SP-05
BRD vaccination strongly reduces the use of antibiotics in
Dutch dairy calves
G. Bart Wille1, Henk Kuijk2, Geert Vertenten2.
Slingeland Dierenartsen, Varsseveld, Netherlands; 2MSD Animal
1
Health, Boxmeer, Netherlands.
Objectives: A substantial portion of antibiotics applied in
the dairy sector are used for controlling respiratory diseases
(BRD) in young stock. Vaccination against BRD pathogens
may be a strategy to reduce antibiotics, and therefore an opti-
mization for long-term performance of dairy cattle. In this field
observational study, the antibiotic use in young stock on sev-
eral Dutch dairy farms was measured depending on the used
BRD vaccination program.
Materials and Methods: 250 Dutch dairy farms were in-
volved. In 159 farms calves were treated against BRD and/or
vaccinated against BRD. These 159 ‘BRD’ farms were divided
in 3 groups depending on the BRD vaccination protocol. Group
A did not vaccinate, group B vaccinated only in autumn with an
inactivated multivalent BRD vaccine (Bovilis® Bovipast RSP)
and group C vaccinated all year round with the same vaccine.
The antibiotic treatment percentage (TP) was calculated as
the number of calves of 60kg bodyweight that could theoreti-
cally be treated with the amount of antibiotics actually used in
2017 to treat BRD in young animals divided by the number of
calves born in 2017. Groups were compared for the number of
farms that had an antibiotic treatment percentage higher than
20 (TP>20).
Results: Only 63 (40%) of the 159 ’BRD’ farms had a BRD
vaccination program. Group A, B, and C had respectively 96,
36 and 27 farms. The TP>20 was respectively 84%, 47% and
26% for group A, B and C (p<0.001). The TP>20 was signifi-
cantly different between group A and B (p<0.001) and between
group A and C (p<0.001), but not between group B and C
(p=0.14). The odds to have TP>20 is 83% lower in group B
compared to group A, and 94% lower in group C compared to
group A (p<0.001).
Conclusion: This study clearly demonstrates the potential
of vaccination with a multivalent inactivated BRD vaccine (Bo-
vilis Bovipast RSP) to reduce the antibiotic use in dairy young
stock. In this study, a strong reduction was seen in the antibi-
otic treatment percentage of farms using this vaccine, with the
strongest reduction on farms vaccinating all year round.
Keywords: BRD vaccination, reduction antibiotics, dairy
calves.
379
ORAL — Sustainable Cattle Productive Systems
SP-06
Color values as a potential tool for the assessment of raw
milk quality and its technological aptitude in cheesemaking
Javier Caballero-Villalobos1, Eoin G. Ryan2, José M. Perea3, Elena
Angón3, Orla Keane1, Ana Isabel Garzón Sígler3.
Teagasc - Animal & Bioscience Research Department, Dunsany (Co.
1
Meath), Republic of Ireland; 2University College Dublin - School of
Veterinary Medicine, Dublin, Republic of Ireland; 3Universidad de
Córdoba - Departamento de Producción Animal, Córdoba, Spain.
Objective: This study aims to determine milk hygienic sta-
tus, composition and coagulation parameters by measuring its
color values in order to assess if colorimetry could be used as
an effective, quick and economical tool to predict in situ quality
of raw bovine milk.
Material & methods: This study included the analysis of
1045 individual milk samples from 20 dairy farms located in
the Republic of Ireland. Milk samples were collected at similar
moments of lactation from heifers and cows from a of wide
range of parity groups and with different health statuses. Milk
was analyzed using the CIELAB space, which is considered
the traditional method for an objective quantification of food
color and has been previously used to evaluate bulk tank milk
(Jiménez Sobrino et al., 2018). This system expresses color
as 3 values: L* (lightness), a* (red/green value) and b* (blue/
yellow value) (ISO/CIE 11664-4, 2019). In addition, CIELCh
(the cylindrical representation of the CIELAB system) com-
bines lightness with 2 other additional values to represent
color: C* (chroma or saturation) and h* (hue). The color of
the milk can vary greatly and depends to a large extent on its
physical structure, the fat content and the pigmentation due to
the presence of carotenoids and riboflavins. Color values of
milk were measured with a PCE-CSM2 Color Meter (PCE In-
struments Ltd., Southampton, UK) by placing the lens directly
over a capsule containing the milk sample, following the meth-
odology used by Figueroa et al. (2019).
Results:  After statistical analysis, variables that showed
a higher discriminant ability were L*, a* and b*. Preliminary
results reveal  that color values of milk reflect to a large ex-
tent variation in milk composition and the efficiency of the
coagulation process. Color values seem to show a predictive
ability similar to traditional technologies for quantification of
milk quality, such as infrared spectroscopy technologies (for
determination of milk composition), or the Formagraph lac-
todinamograph (for monitoring milk coagulation). However,
colorimetry appears to provide lesser information on raw milk
hygienic quality.
Conclusions: Colorimetry of milk has proved to be a use-
ful tool to reflect variations in milk quality. This method can
therefore be considered as an effective test to supplement
conventional analysis. In addition, further development and
implementation of this test as a low-cost portable technology
in farms or dairies would allow better control of raw milk and
contribute to the development of precise product characteriza-
tion (at hygienic, nutritional and technological level).
Acknowledgements: This study has received funding
from the Irish Research Council and the European Union’s
Horizon 2020 Research & Innovation programme through the
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
380
CAROLINE Cofund scheme, under the Marie Skłodowska-Cu-
rie grant agreement No. 713279.
References:
Figueroa et al. (2019). J. Dairy Sci. (Accepted for publica-
tion)
ISO/CIE 11664-4:2019. Colorimetry - Part 4: CIE 1976
L*a*b* colour space.
Jiménez Sobrino et al. (2018). Ital. J. Anim. Sci. 17:477–
488.
Keywords: Dairy cattle, chromaticity, milk quality, coagu-
lation.
SP-07
Post-partum cow milk microbiota: effect of dry cow
antimicrobial treatment
Richard Pereira1, Carl Basbas2, Sharif Aly3, Emmanuel Okello3, Betsy
Karle1, Erika Ganda4, Terry Lehenbauer3, Noelia Silva-Del-Rio5,
Deniece Williams3, Martin Wiedmann6.
1
University of California Davis, Davis, United States; 2University of
California Davis, Davis CA, United States; 3University of California
Davis, Davis,CA, United States; 4PennState, University Park, PA,
United States; 5University of California Davis, Davis, CA, United
States; 6Cornell University, Ithaca,NY, United States.
Objective: Given the increased scrutiny of antimicrobial
use in livestock due to potential selection for antimicrobial re-
sistance in bacteria, research on the effects of antimicrobial
usage on the mammary gland and milk microbiota is vital. The
goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of dry cow anti-
microbial therapy on the udder milk microbiota by comparing
the microbial populations in milk at dry-off (~60 days before
calving) and post-partum from cows receiving intra-mammary
antibiotic infusion and cows that did not receive therapy.
Methods: Aseptic composite milk samples were collected
as part of a selective dry cow therapy trial from 3 commercial
dairy farms in California’s Central Valley for the purpose of
the current study. Samples were stored at -20ºC. Cows with
clinical signs of mastitis at enrollment (dry-off) were excluded.
Milk samples from 23 cows from the intra-mammary therapy
(IMT) group receiving either cephapirin benzatine or sodium
cloxacillin and 27 cows from the control (CTL) group that did
not receive any IMM therapy were utilized for our study. All
cows were sampled at dry-off (DRY) and 4-11 days post-par-
tum (FRESH). Whey and fat was separated from milk, and
DNA was extracted using DNeasy PowerSoil Kit (QIAGEN).
Library preparation and 16S rRNA gene sequencing of the V4
hypervariable region was conducted using the Illumina Miseq
platform.
Results: Initial stepwise discriminant analysis between
IMT and CTL group at DRY and FRESH time points did not
show significant difference in the abundance of the microbial
populations at the phyla level. The 4 most common phyla for
any sample point or therapy group were Firmicutes, Proteo-
bacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria. Further analysis

will evaluate differences in microbiota abundance at different
time points and therapy groups for lower taxonomic ranks.
Richness and Shannon diversity will also be calculated.
Conclusions: Our initial analysis indicated that IMM dry
cow therapy may have minimal impacts on the microbiota at
the phylum level. Further analysis of the data will determine if
this trend continues at lower taxonomic ranks.
Keywords: Dry cow treatment; milk microbiota; antibiotic
resistance.
SP-08
Male Lidia cattle morphometric study using photogram-
metry technique
Juan Manuel Lomillos Pérez1, Marta Alonso2.
1
CEU Cardenal Herrera, Valencia, Spain; 2Universidad de León, León,
Spain.
Objectives: Lidia cattle constitute an autochthonous breed
whose production has great economic and social importance
in Spain, Portugal, southern France and some Latin American
countries. In Spain, it is the most numerous autochthonous
bovine breed and the second, in censuses, after the Friesian.
Although in recent years the knowledge about the different ge-
netic variety or encastes of Lidia breed has increased substan-
tially, still there are only a few morphometric and zoometrical
studies because the difficulty of applying the techniques com-
monly used in other cattle breeds. The particular patterns of
behavior called bravura and the extensive rearing conditions
made impossible the handling and restraining necessary for
the realization of traditional manual measures using standard
zoometric tools such as sticks, non-elastic measuring tape,
compass, goniometers and calipers.
Considering all of the previously mentioned difficulties the
aim of this study was to carry out a first approach to the mor-
phological characterization of the males of Lidia breed using
a novel technique for zoometric measurements, called photo-
grammetry.
Materials and Methods: A total of 184 bulls, 4 to 6 years
old, from 21 herds representatives of the 15 genetic lines Miu-
ra, Pablo Romero, Veragua, Murube, Santa Coloma-Buendía,
Santa Coloma-Graciliano, Gamero Cívico, Conde de la Corte,
Atanario-Lisardo, Domecq, Torrestrella, Núñez, Albaserrada,
Vega-Villar and Navarra, were used in this study. Farms were
chosen for their genetic purity and their clearly belonging to an
encaste reflected in the racial prototype.
The animals were photographed from a distance between
10 to 15 meters, to minimize the risk for operator and the dis-
turbance of the animals, with a three cameras photogram-
metric equipment, patented by our research group, adapted
for both arena and farm conditions. The photographs were
further processed and transformed into three dimension files
with software PhotoModeler Scanner 2010© for Windows©. For
each bull 20 standardized morphological measurements were
obtained following the reviewed literature standars. A descrip-
tive statistical analysis, ANOVA and determination of Pearson
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Sustainable Cattle Productive Systems
correlation coefficients of the measurements were performed
using SPSS® 19.0 package for Windows©.
Results: Fighting bulls can be described as mid-sized
compared with bovine species with a mean height at withers
of 128 ± 7.7 cm with significant differences between the small-
est encastes Vega-Villar (111 ± 3.5) and Navarra (113 ± 6.9)
and the biggest Miura (136 ± 6.3) and Pablo Romero (135 ±
2.8). There are significant correlations between the heights at
withers, loins, rump and tail, with the highest correlation value
between height at rump and height at tail (0.96). The mean
value of body length of Lidia bull (150 ± 10.8) is shorter than
other autochthonous Spanish breeds, with significant differ-
ences between Miura (162 ± 4.4) and Vega-Villar (127 ± 7.7).
Males of Lidia breed presented a harmonic morphostructural
model with 59% of their parameters positively correlated. The
encastes Núñez, Domecq, Gamero Cívico, Albaserrada and
Santa Coloma (Gracialiano and Buendia lines) presented sim-
ilar morphological characteristics with mean values of heights
and greater exterior length of the horns with a maximum mean
value of 72 ± 2.7 cm in the Gamero Cívico animals. These
encastes shared a common phylogenetic provenance (Vista-
hermosa).
cm Farms were chosen for their genetic purity and their
clearly belonging to an encaste reflected in the racial proto-
type, in which animals were analyzed 17 morphological mea-
surements standardized.
Conclusions: The results showed that Lidia males pres-
ent smaller dimension than other autochthonous Spanish
breeds with a considerable internal variability of the parame-
ters evaluated and a high relation between these morphomet-
ric measures and the characteristic morphology for each en-
caste reported in the descriptions of the breed made visually.
Keywords: Lidia cattle, bull, fighting bull.
SP-09
Using cattle tracing system databases to monitor cattle
production efficiency, unnecessary carbon emissions and
financial losses at herd, sector and national level
Timothy Geraghty1, Andrew Barnes2, Ian Archibald2, Lesley Wylie2,
John Berezowski3, Mary Vickers4, Steven Thomson2.
SRUC, Aberdeen, United Kingdom; 2SRUC, Edinburgh, United
1
Kingdom; 3SRUC, Inverness, United Kingdom; 4AHDB, Kenilworth,
United Kingdom.
Objectives:  All sectors of the economy are required to
reduce carbon emissions. Methane emissions, primarily from
ruminant enteric fermentation, account for over 50% of agricul-
tural emissions in the UK. Improving livestock production effi-
ciency reduces carbon output and achieves financial gain and
is the most cost-effective carbon mitigation strategy available
to producers. Cattle Tracing Systems (CTS) databases are
a legal requirement in the EU and UK and contain the dates
of birth, death and movements of all cattle in the state. CTS
databases have been underutilised for monitoring production
efficiency. We present a novel method of analysing CTS da-
381
ORAL — Sustainable Cattle Productive Systems

tabases to measure production efficiency of the entire cattle improved between 2015 and 2020, leading to reductions in
population and present results from CTS data from England waste CO2e emissions and financial savings. Efficiency im-
and Scotland over 6 years. provements were not evenly distributed between sectors with
Materials and methods: CTS datasets for Scotland and the beef breeding sector showing no improvement. Produc-
England for the years 2015-2020 were included. Animal-day tion efficiency reduced in 2018 most likely due to an extreme
of life (d) was considered an economic input relating directly weather event demonstrating the further potential of this mod-
to carbon emissions (enteric methane) and cost of production el as a syndromic surveillance tool. The method needs to be
(variable on-farm costs). Slaughter (S) and new calf registra- further improved by measuring performance that is better than
tion (B for the calf born, C for the dam calving) were consid- the optimal model and improving the conversion method to
ered productive output, and death on farm (D) as loss. A com- better quantify resource waste.
prehensive model of optimal efficiency accounting for growth, Keywords: Efficiency, carbon, data, production, statutory.
fertility, slaughter of breeding stock and death on farm was
derived from accepted Key Performance Indicators in terms
of d required prior to or between productive events: birth to
slaughter (B-S=600d, growth); birth to first calf registration
(B-C1=730d, growth); inter-calving interval (Cn-Cn+1=365d,
fertility); final calf registration to slaughter (Cf – S=365d,
slaughter of breeding stock) and prior to death on farm
(B-D=all life up to 600d, death). Actual data was compared
to the optimal model with days meeting threshold considered
productive (required to achieve an economic output) and those
above thresholds as non-productive (leading to no additional
output). Non-productive days were considered as resource
waste and were sub-classified as being due to growth, fertility,
slaughter of breeding stock or death according to the thresh-
old broken. Crude conversion factors of 5.5KgCO2e and £1.50
cost per animal day were used to quantify the associated re-
source waste. A basic hierarchical logical process was used
to categorise herd types within the CTS database into one of
six primary systems: seasonal dairy, non-seasonal dairy, beef
breeder, beef breeder-finisher, beef finisher and grower. Total
productive efficiency was calculated at the herd, sector and
national level as:
Production Day Efficiency PDE%= (∑〖productive animal
days〗)/(∑〖total animal days〗)
Results: The dataset contained 14.9 billion d in total, of
which 11.15 billion (74.9%) were classified as productive. To-
tal d declined from 2.49 billion in 2015 to 2.42 billion in 2020
and PDE% increased from 74.3% in 2015 to 76.4% in 2020
(only 2018 had lower PDE% than the preceding year). Total
non-productive days declined from 642 million in 2015 to 575
million in 2020 (only 2018 had more non-productive days than
the preceding year) equating to reduced waste emissions of
369,000t CO2e and a saving of over £100million.
54.8% of non-productive days were due to slow growth,
21.0% due to death, 20.2% due to sub-fertility and 3.8% due
to late slaughter of breeding cows. Total non-productive days
reduced for all sub-categories over the period, most notably in
growth (12.8% reduction). Non-productive days due to death
increased in 2018 (5.2% higher than in any other year). There
were marked differences in PDE% between sectors and herds
within sectors. Dairy herds showed the greatest improved
PDE% (3.6%) while beef breeding herds had no change in
PDE%.
Discussion: This novel method can derive a compre-
hensive measure of cattle production efficiency from CTS
datasets, track efficiency over time, quantify improvements
in terms of carbon emissions and financial gain, and offer
valuable insight into causes of sub-optimal productivity. Tech-
nical efficiency of the cattle herds in England and Scotland

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SR-01
Pseudotuberculosis, how to find the enemy hidden inside
doors
Lina Costa1, Belén Huerta2, Ángela Galán-Relaño3, Lídia Gómez-
Gascón3, Anabela Almeida4, Inês Viegas5, Alfonso Maldonado3.
1
Polytechnique Institute of Portalegre, Portalegre, Portugal; 2(2)
Department of Animal Health - Faculty of Veterinary Medicine -
University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain; 3Department of Animal Health
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine - University of Córdoba, Córdoba,
Spain; 4Vetdiagnos - Veterinary diagnostic laboratory, Cantanhede,
Portugal; 5(4) ICAAM - Institute of Mediterranean Agricultural and
Environmental Sciences, Institute of Advanced Research and Training,
University of Évora, Évora, Portugal.
Objectives: The actual prevalence of CLA (caseous
lymphadenitis) in small ruminant flocks is underestimated in
many countries and continues to spread without data and in-
formation about its real economic impact. The difficulty in the
accurate identification of the causative agent in internal sub-
clinical cases allows the disease to spread within and between
flocks. This research intends to assess the utility of an ELISA
(enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) test in the detection of
internal subclinical cases of CLA in farms and to simultaneous-
ly add data on the seroprevalence of the disease in Portugal.
Materials & Methods: In this research, we selected a field
population of 82 flocks of small ruminants (55 sheep and 27
goat flocks).The procedure was carried out on the farm and
in a regional slaughterhouse in the province of Alentejo in
southern Portugal. Sera randomly collected from 756 small ru-
minants (approximately 10 samples per holding), 70% sheep
(528/756) and 30% goats (228/756) were screened for anti-
bodies against Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis using
the ELISA technique based on a recombinant phospholipase
D (ELITEST CLA # CK105A®). The animals showing internal
lesions (n = 58) were sampled and a conventional PCR as-
say was made for the identification of C. pseudotuberculosis
in pyogranulomatous lesions and for the cross-sectional study
to assess the performance of the ELISA test. The ELISA as-
say results were subjected to frequency analysis (prevalence
of the disease). The same method was applied to the data
regarding the species, productive aptitude, production regime,
and dimension (size) of the herd. The performance of the ELI-
SA test was evaluated by association tests, namely, χ2 (Chi-
square – Fischer’s Exact Test) with a 95% confidence interval.
The statistical analysis was performed with SPSS (Statistical
Package for Social Sciences) 22.
Results: In this investigation, we found a prevalence of
CLA of 34% (258/756), with the ELISA test showing a low
specificity, 78% (35/45) and high sensitivity, 100% (13/13).
The descriptive analysis of the results suggests that the pro-
portion of disease higher in goats (χ2 (1, N = 756) = 30.773,
p < 0.01). Regarding productive aptitude, dairy farms appear
to be more susceptible to CLA (χ2 (1, N = 756) = 17.458, p
< 0.01); the same propensity appears to exist regarding the
production regime, with the farms in the non-extensive regime
(intensive and semi-extensive, approximately 6% of the total
sample) showing an increased propensity for the disease (χ2
(2, N = 756) = 22.561, p < 0.01). When the results of the ELISA
are analyzed regarding the size of the farm, the data are also
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ORAL — Small Ruminants
statistically significant. This data suggests that farms without
the reported disease have an average of 85 animals, whereas
farms with confirmed disease have an average of 171 animals
(p < 0.001). This observation appears to mean that CLA is
more prevalent in medium to large farms (50 - 200 animals
and > 200 animals). By performing a herd-level analysis (con-
sidering an infected farm with at least one animal positive for
the ELISA), of the 82 farms in the study, 66 had at least one
positive animal, leading to a value of 80% (66/82) of affect-
ed holdings. The performance of the ELISA test technique
(ELITEST CLA # CK105A®) was evaluated by determining the
positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value
(NPV). In this analysis, the ELISA test allowed the detection of
57% of subclinical animals, which was confirmed by the post-
mortem examination and conventional PCR assay performed
in pyogranulomatous lesions. In the group of animals in which
both tests were performed (PCR and ELISA) (n = 58), 57% of
the animals positive for the ELISA test were positive for the
PCR assay (13/23), and all the negatives, 100%, in the ELISA
test were negative for the PCR assay (35/35).
Conclusion: This is the first prevalence study of CL in
small ruminants carried out in Portugal. This research clarifies
an actual problem and pointed out the importance of CLA in
small ruminant herds in Portugal showing that CLA is a prev-
alent disease in small ruminants, with 34% seroprevalence.
Finally seems to demonstrate that the ELISA test is a good
diagnostic tool for use in CLA eradication programmes, as can
detect a valid proportion of subclinically infected animals.
Keywords: Caseous lymphadenitis, ELISA, Portugal, se-
roprevalence, small ruminants.
SR-02
Prevalence of visceral Caseous Lymphadenitis (CLA) in
sheep herds of Aragón, Spain
Héctor Ruiz1, Asier Albite1, Cristina Baselga2, Luis Figueras3, Amaia
Torre1, Delia Lacasta1.
1
Facultad Veterinaria de la Universidad de Zaragoza, c/ Miguel Servet
177, 50013, Zaragoza, Spain; 2Exopol S.L., Pol. Río Gállego D8, San
Mateo de Gállego, Spain; 3Gabinete Técnico Veterinario S.L., Zaragoza,
Spain.
Objectives: Caseous lymphadenitis (CLA) is an infec-
tious-contagious pathology caused by Corynebacterium
pseudotuberculosis  biovar ovis which appears frequently in
herds. When this agent affects small ruminants, it can devel-
op a visceral clinical form that mostly affects adult animals, or
a superficial clinical form, which appears more frequently in
young animals. However, its subclinical appearance, especial-
ly of the visceral form, makes it difficult to diagnose it in clinical
practice.
Thus, although this pathology is widespread, many times
reminds underdiagnosed and is not easily identified as a
cause of loss of productivity in the sheep flocks.
The main objective of the present survey was to study the
relevance of Caseous Lymphadenitis as a cause of early cull-
383
ORAL — Small Ruminants
ingin sheep herds of Aragón region, Spain, and to analyze the
main clinical presentations of the disease.
Material and methods: The Ruminant Clinical Service
(SCRUM) of the Veterinary Faculty of Zaragoza, Spain, re-
ceives animals from the Faculty´s area of influence which can
be culling animals belonging to collaborating farms or clinical
cases referred by veterinarians. In the present survey, 483
culling animals received during the years 2017, 2018 and
2019 were analyzed.
All the received animals were subjected to the same proto-
col. After arrival, a rigorous clinical examination was performed
and blood samples were taken to carry out a blood count test.
Subsequently, depending on the preliminary diagnoses, nec-
essary ancillary tests, such as ultrasonography, thermography
or computed tomography, were carried out. Finally, all the an-
imals were humanely sacrificed to conclude with the patho-
logical examination. Then samples of lesions and affected
organs were taken for microbiological, biomolecular and his-
topathological analysis. The isolation of the causative agent
was carried out in the laboratories: EXOPOL diagnóstico y
autovacunas S.L. and in the Agroalimentary Laboratory of the
Government of Aragón and histopathology was performed at
the Pathological Clinical Service of the Veterinary Faculty of
Zaragoza.
The animals included in the present study as positives to
CLA were those diagnosed observing compatible lesions at
necropsy and subsequently with etiological confirmation.
Finally, all the data were recorded in computer programs,
such as MIcrosoft Office Excel 2010 and IBM Statistics Base
22.0, which allowed the statistical study of that data.
Results: The results show that 31.06% of the animals an-
alysed showed CLA lesions (150/483) that were subsequently
confirmed by C. pseudotuberculosis isolation.
Attending to the clinical form of presentation, 74.67% of the
animals suffered the visceral clinical form, while only 21.33%
were affected by the superficial form of the disease. The re-
maining 4.00% of the animals showed both clinical presen-
tations simultaneously. That result was expected due to the
average age of the studied animals that was 5.90 ±1.73 years.
However, the most relevant data of this study was that ob-
tained from the analysis of CLA as cause of early culling in
sheep. Eighty-two animals out of the 150 animals diagnosed
with CLA (54.67%) presented this pathology as the sole cause
of culling, which could justify the loss of productivity. Moreover,
when these 82 animals were analyzed regarding the 483 cull-
ing studied sheep, it was showed that 16.98% of the culling
animals were discarded by this pathology as the sole cause
of culling, demonstrating the importance of this disease as a
cause of culling in sheep herds. The visceral clinical form was
the main presentation of the disease, accounting 14.70% of
the total, while the superficial clinical form was only de 2.18%.
Regarding the visceral clinical form, the primary location
was that related to the respiratory system, with affection of me-
diastinic lymphnode, lungs or both simultaneously. Likewise,
the concurrent affection of several organs, such as liver-lung
liver-kidney, or other variants appeared in a significant number
of animals.
Conclusions: It can be concluded that caseous lymphad-
enitis is a relevant diseaseproducing loss of productivity and
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
384
early culling in sheep in Aragón region. The visceral form was
the most frequently found, this being of great importance due
to the difficulty of the clinical diagnosis of this presentation of
the disease, which leads to the disease being frequently un-
derdiagnosed.
Keywords: Caseous Lymphadenitis, sheep, visceral,
prevalence.
SR-03
Evaluation of the effect of a topical wound anaesthesia
formulation on concentration of serum amyloid A in lambs
where the tail was excised surgically
Marta Borobia1, Aurora Ortín2, Maria Teresa Tejedor1, Marta Ruiz
De Arcaute2, Luis Miguel Ferrer2, Delia Lacasta2, Héctor Ruíz1, Peter
Andrew Windsor3.
1
Facultad de Veterinaria. Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain;
2
Facultad de Veterinaria. Instituto IA2 (Universidad de Zaragoza-
CITA), Zaragoza, Spain; 3Faculty of Veterinary Science. University of
Sydney, Sidney, Australia.
Objectives: Tail-docking is a routine global husbandry pro-
cedure conducted in lambs to reduce myiasis risk and improve
fertility. It is often performed without pain relief, although use
of general anaesthesia has been advocated, at an exorbitant
cost to farmers. There is an urgent need to find a practical
and affordable approach acceptable to farmers that avoids or
markedly reduces animal suffering. This study evaluated the
effect of a topical anaesthetic ‘spray-on’ wound management
formulation containing the local anaesthetics lignocaine and
bupivacaine, plus cetramide and adrenalin, in a gel matrix (Tri-
Solfen®, Bayer Animal Health, Gordon, NSW, Australia). Im-
pacts of treatments on concentration of the major acute phase
protein serum amyloid A (SAA) in lambs, where the tail was
excised surgically, with and without use of general anaesthe-
sia, are reported.
Material & Methods: This study was approved by the
Ethical Commission of the University of Zaragoza. Forty-four
45-day-old Rasa Aragonesa female lambs with similar weights
in a farm in Zaragoza (Spain) were recruited for this study and
divided into 4 equal cohorts (n=11): in Group A the tail was
excised using a scalpel without using anaesthesia or any addi-
tional treatment; in Group B the tail was surgically excised un-
der general anaesthesia; in Group C the tail was removed with
a scalpel without prior anaesthesia and treated immediately
with Tri-Solfen®; in Group D the tail was surgically excised un-
der general anaesthesia and treatment with Tri-Solfen® applied
before suturing of peri-wound skin to close the wound. Blood
samples were collected (and sera were obtained and stored
at -20 ºC until analysed) prior to tail docking (T1), and at 5hr
(T2) and 48hr (T3) intervals, plus 7 days later (T4). The con-
centration of SAA was assessed using a solid phase sandwich
ELISA kit (PHASE TM Serum Amyloid A Assay, Tridelta Devel-
opment Ltd., Maynooth, Ireland). Before statistical analysis, a
logarithmic transformation (10log) was used to normalize SAA
concentration. Statistical analysis were performed using IBM

SPSS statistics version 26 (2019) software (IBM, Armonk, NY,
USA). For each procedure (with or without anaesthesia), a
two-way mixed ANOVA was run to understand the effects of
treatment (with or without Tri-Solfen®) and time (T1 to T4) on
SAA concentration.
Results: In cohorts tail-docked under general anaesthe-
sia (B & D), SAA concentrations increased from T1 to T2,
achieving maximum values at T3 and decreasing by T4, with
T3 significantly higher (p<0.01) than at T1, T2 and T4. These
findings are consistent with previously reported significant el-
evations of SAA 48 hours after a noxious stimulus. The cohort
tail-docked with Tri-Solfen® (D) had consistently lower SAA
levels than the cohort without this wound treatment (B), al-
though statistically significant differences were not determined
between these cohorts (p=0.604). In cohorts tail-docked with-
out general anaesthesia (A & C), SAA concentrations of the
untreated group (A) displayed similar trends to Groups B and
D. However, the SAA concentrations in the Tri-Solfen® treated
group (C) failed to achieve the maximum concentrations at T3
and were similar to T1 and T2, decreasing by T4. These re-
sults appear to indicate that treatment with Tri-Solfen® avoided
the elevation of SAA concentrations that is expected 48 hours
after the surgery. Although statistically significant differences
were not detected between lambs treated and non-treated
with Tri-Solfen® (p=0.913), this is considered most likely due
to insufficient sample size of each cohort.
Conclusions: These results and clinical evidence of pain
relief presented elsewhere, are encouraging, suggesting that
surgical tail-docking without general anaesthesia but wounds
are immediately sprayed with Tri-Solfen®, is an affordable and
efficacious method of conducting the procedure, although use
of larger sample sizes for SAA estimates is recommended to
confirm these findings.
Keywords: Lambs, tail-docking, welfare, topical anaes-
thesia, serum amyloid A.
SR-04
Effect of a topical wound anaesthesia formulation on the
cortisol responses of lambs undergoing tail docking
Aurora Ortín1, Juan José Ramos1, Marta Borobia2, María Teresa
Tejedor2, Enrique Castells3, María Pérez2, Hector Ruiz2, Peter Andrew
Windsor4.
1
Facultad de Veterinaria. Instituto IA2 (Universidad de Zaragoza-
CITA), Zaragoza, Spain; 2Facultad de Veterinaria. Universidad de
Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain; 3Centro Clínico Veterinario, Zaragoza,
Spain; 4Faculty of Veterinary Sciences. University of Sidney, Sidney,
Australia.
Objectives: Tail-docking is a routine global husbandry
procedure conducted in lambs to reduce myiasis risk and im-
prove fertility. It is often performed without pain relief, although
use of general anaesthesia has been advocated, at an exorbi-
tant cost to farmers. There is an urgent need to find a practical
and affordable approach acceptable to farmers that avoids or
markedly reduces animal suffering. This study evaluated the
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Small Ruminants
effect of a topical anaesthetic ‘spray-on’ wound management
formulation containing the local anaesthetics lignocaine and
bupivacaine, plus cetramide and adrenalin, in a gel matrix (Tri-
Solfen®, Bayer Animal Health, Gordon, NSW, Australia). Im-
pacts of treatments on serum cortisol concentrations in lambs,
where the tail was excised surgically, with and without use of
general anaesthesia, are reported.
Material & Methods: This study was approved by the
Ethical Commission of the University of Zaragoza. Forty-four
45-day-old Rasa Aragonesa female lambs with similar weights
in a farm in Zaragoza (Spain) were recruited for this study and
divided into 4 equal cohorts (n=11): in Group A the tail was
excised using a scalpel without using anaesthesia or any addi-
tional treatment; in Group B the tail was surgically excised un-
der general anaesthesia; in Group C the tail was removed with
a scalpel without prior anaesthesia and treated immediately
with Tri-Solfen®; in Group D the tail was surgically excised
under general anaesthesia and treatment with Tri-Solfen® ap-
plied before suturing of peri-wound skin to close the wound.
Blood samples were collected prior to tail docking (T0), and at
30 min (T1), 5hr (T2) and 48hr (T3) intervals post-tail excision,
and sera were obtained and stored at -20 ºC until analysed.
Serum cortisol concentrations were determined using a com-
petitive ELISA assay (Salivary Cortisol ELISA SLV-2930, DRG
Diagnostics, Marburg, Germany). A logarithmic transformation
(10log) was used to normalize serum cortisol concentration
before statistical analysis, which were performed using IBM
SPSS statistics version 26 (2019) software (IBM, Armonk, NY,
USA). For each procedure (with or without use of general an-
aesthesia), a two-way mixed ANOVA was run to understand
the effects of treatment (with or without Tri-Solfen®) and time
(T0 to T3) on serum cortisol concentration.
Results: In cohorts tail-docked under general anaesthesia
(B & D), serum cortisol concentration did not change signifi-
cantly over time (p=0.250). Moreover, serum cortisol concen-
tration did not differ significantly between the cohort treated
(D) or not treated with Tri-Solfen® (B) (p=0.919). In cohorts
tail-docked without general anaesthesia (A & C), serum cor-
tisol concentrations peaked at 30 min post tail removing and
decreased thereafter, being T1 value significantly higher than
T0, T2 and T3 values (p<0.001). However, in the Tri-Solfen®
treated group (C) serum cortisol concentrations at T1 and T2
were lower than in the untreated group (A), although statis-
tically significant differences were no detected between the
groups (p=0.162).These results seem to indicate that treat-
ment with Tri-Solfen® reduced the cortisol response elicited
after the surgery without general anaesthesia. Low statis-
tical power due to small sample size could have prevented
from finding significant differences between A and C cohorts.
The elevated cortisol response in lambs tail-docked without
general anaesthesia likely reflects a combination of factors,
including the effect of handling, restrain and potentially haem-
orrhage, in addition to pain.
Conclusions: These results, and clinical evidence of pain
relief presented elsewhere, are encouraging, suggesting that
surgical tail-docking without general anaesthesia but where
wounds are immediately sprayed with Tri-Solfen®, is an af-
fordable and efficacious method of conducting the procedure,
although use of larger sample sizes for serum cortisol esti-
mates is recommended to confirm these findings.
385
ORAL — Small Ruminants
Keywords: Lambs, tail-docking, welfare, topical anaes-
thesia, cortisol.
SR-05
Predicting energy balance in pre-partum dairy ewes by
ultrasound measurements of backfat and longissimus dorsi
thickness
Sofia-Afroditi Termatzidou1, Nektarios Siachos1, Georgios
Valergakis1, Zoe Polizopoulou2, Danai Sklaveniti1, Georgios Bramis1,
Georgios Arsenos1.
1
Laboratory of Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,
School of Health Sciences, Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, Greece;
2
Companion Animal Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, School of
Health Sciences, Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate
the association of ultrasound measurements of backfat thick-
ness (BFT) and longissimus dorsi muscle thickness (LDT) with
energy balance in pre-partum dairy ewes. The aim is to iden-
tify practical, on-field applicable and non-invasive methods to
assess energy status.
Material and methods: The study was conducted in four
commercial dairy sheep flocks, each keeping one of the four
main breeds reared in Greece. Fifty purebred ewes were
pre-selected from each flock, based on ultrasound pregnan-
cy diagnosis at day 60 after ram introduction; a total of 177
ewes (Chios, n=46; Frizarta, n=40; Lacaune, n=42 and Assaf,
n=49), 3 to 5 years old, that remained pregnant and clinically
healthy until lambing, were enrolled in the analysis. Body con-
dition score (BCS) was assessed by palpation in the lumbar
region and ultrasound measurements of BFT and LDT thick-
ness were performed using a 5-MHz linear transducer, both
at -30 days (-30d) and -15 days (-15d) prepartum. The probe
was placed perpendicular to the vertebral column between the
transverse processes of the 3rd and 4th lumbar vertebrae. Each
time, three measurements were performed and the mean val-
ue (in mm) was calculated. The sum of BFT and LDT (TO-
TAL_T), the LDT: BFT ratio (RATIO_T) on each timepoint and
the difference in BFT (Δ_BFT) and LDT (Δ_LDT) between the
two measurements (-30d minus -15d) were also calculated. A
blood sample was collected at -15d from each ewe and serum
was separated within 2h of collection by centrifugation (15 min
× 2500g) and stored at -20oC until analysis. Beta- Hydroxybu-
tyrate (BHB) and non esterified fatty acids (NEFA) were meas-
ured with an automated chemistry analyzer (Vitalab flexor E.,
Vital Scientific N.V., Netherlands), using commercially availa-
ble kits (BHB: Ben biochem. enterprise, Milano, Italy; NEFA:
Randox Laboratories Limited, UK). Negative energy balance
status was defined as serum BHB >0.8 mmol/L or NEFA >0.3
mmol/L and treated as a binary variable. The receiver operat-
ing characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to define thresh-
olds for fat and muscle reserves and mobilization parameters
to predict elevated BHB or NEFA status. All variables with a
significant area under the ROC curve were then entered in a
binary logistic regression as categorical variables (using the
thresholds obtained from the ROC curves) to assess the as-
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
386
sociation of fat and muscle reserves and mobilization parame-
ters with BHB and NEFA status.
Results: Δ_BFT and TOTAL_T(-15d) were significant pre-
dictors of BHB status (R2=0.272). Ewes with a BFT loss had
6.7 times (P<0.001) increased probability to have serum BHB
>0.8 mmol/L; probability increased quadratically as Δ_BFT
increased (R2=0.486; P<0.001). Moreover, ewes with TO-
TAL_T(-15d) ≤25.6 mm, which corresponds to an average BCS
of 2.25-2.50, had 5.3 times (P<0.001) increased probability to
have serum BHB >0.8 mmol/L; probability decreased quad-
ratically as TOTAL_T(-15d) increased (R2=0.425; P<0.001).
Δ_BFT and BFT(-30d) were significant predictors of NEFA
status (R2=0.316). Ewes with Δ_BFT >0.65 mm had 3.2 times
(P=0.002) increased probability to have serum NEFA >0.3
mmol/L; probability increased linearly as Δ_BFT increased
(R2=0.441; P<0.001). Moreover, ewes with BFT(-30d) >6.86
mm, which corresponds to an average BCS of 2.75-3.00, had
6.7 times (P<0.001) increased probability to have serum NEFA
>0.3 mmol/L; probability increased quadratically as BFT(-30d)
increased (R2=0.915; P<0.001).
Conclusion: Ultrasound measurements of BFT and LDT
during the last month of gestation can predict quite accurately
the energy status of dairy ewes. As expected, ewes that start
losing fat a month before lambing and with a poor BCS at -15d
are at higher risk to enter in negative energy balance. More-
over, ewes with a high BCS during the last month of gestation
are at greater risk of mobilizing fat reserves pre-partum. Ultra-
sonography, a non-invasive technique, appears useful in mon-
itoring energy balance during the critical pre-partum period.
Keywords: Energy balance, dairy sheep, ultrasound.
SR-07
Q fever in sheep: Long-term control of infection by
vaccination of gimmers
Benjamin Bauer1, Britta Janowetz2, Vanessa Turowski2, Christina
Ambros2, Michaela Alex2, Sabine Roth3, Ursula Domes2, Jens
Böttcher2.
1
now University of Veterinary Medicine Hanover, Foundation, Clinic
for Swine and Small Ruminants, Hanover, Germany; 2Bavarian
Animal Health Service, Poing, Germany; 3State Veterinary Office,
Karlstadt, Germany.
Introduction: Small ruminants are regarded as a ma-
jor source of human infection with Coxiella burnetii (Cb). In
summer 2012 a Q fever outbreak was observed in a sheep
flock with 800 adult ewes. End of 2012 we got involved in this
case in order to implement a control program. At that time,
we assumed that most of the sheep were already infected or
immune. Yearly primary vaccination of gimmers (replacement
ewes) with Coxevac™ (Ceva Santé Animale) has been intro-
duced as a long-term measure. The vaccine is not licensed
for sheep; therefore, a monitoring of vaccination was imple-
mented. This case-report describes the long-term effect of a
primary vaccination of gimmers until 2020.
Methods: Gimmers were vaccinated twice three weeks

apart (primary vaccination), no further revaccination was per-
formed.
The following groups were ear-tagged for control purpos-
es, animals were randomly selected:
1. 20-30 vaccinated gimmers each year (VG13, 14, 15
etc.),
2. As a positive control 30 ewes were vaccinated in 2013
(VE13).
3. Each year 30 unvaccinated gimmers were selected
into a group of sentinels (S). Additionally, gimmers be-
fore first vaccination were included. After seroconver-
sion animals were removed from the group.
Direct pathogen monitoring was performed by PCR-testing
of vaginal swabs collected hours after parturition and nasal
swabs. Indirect monitoring was based on blood samples from
sentinels which were tested for seroconversion.
The immune response (PhI/PhII-antibodies, IFN-γ-Recall
Assay (RA)) was assessed before and after primary vacci-
nation. The ratio of titers (PhI, PhII) or IFN-γ-reactivity was
assessed as n-fold (nx) increase. Quantitative PCR, PhI- and
PhII-antibody tests and IFN-γ-RA were performed as previous-
ly described (Böttcher et al., 2013; Boettcher et al., 2017).
Animals which had been primary vaccinated in 2013 (n=6
i.e. VG13 and VE13), 2014 (n=3), 2015 (n=10), 2016 (n=11)
and 2017 (n=10) were once revaccinated in 2018 and the im-
mune response was assessed before and 3 weeks after re-
vaccination.
Data were analysed by MedCalc Statistical Software ver-
sion 19.1.3 (MedCalc Software bv, Ostend, Belgium; https://
www.medcalc.org; 2019). Groups were compared by Kruskal-
Wallis-test.
Results: From November 2012 until February 2014 the
rate of positive vaginal and nasal swabs was 78/268 and
67/263, respectively. The mean pathogen load in positive
samples was 102,6 and 101,6 Cb per vaginal and nasal swab,
respectively. Thereafter swabs were tested negative, the num-
bers of analysed vaginal/nasal swabs per year were: 2014:
69/62, 2015: 68/39, 2016: 105/42, 2017: 158/40, 2018: 86/40,
2019: 49/- and 2020(Jan): 97/-.
Percentages of annual seroconversion (PhII-titer >100) in
sentinels were: 2013:16.8% (n=95); 2014: 25% (n=52); 2015:
5,6% (n=53); 2016: 1,3% (n=76); 2017: 2,6% (n=77); 2018:
0% (n=105) and 2019: 0% (n=95).
Groups VE13 and VG13 responded well after vaccination.
E.g., VG13 showed an n-fold increase of PhI-, PhII-titers and
IFN-γ-reactivity of 116x, 168x and 6x, respectively. In contrast,
gimmers born after shedding had ceased (VG15-19) showed
only weak immune responses after vaccination. The n-fold
increase of PhI-, PhII-titers and IFN-γ-reactivity e.g. in VG16
was only 1x, 2,5x, 2,7x, respectively.
Available animals in groups VE13, VG13-17 were revac-
cinated once in 2018. In all groups a similar strong n-fold in-
crease of PhI-, PhII-titers and IFN-γ-reactivity was observed
after revaccination (e.g., VG16: PhI-titer (11x), PhII-titer (38x)
IFN-γ (33x - in this case IFN-γ was determined as pg/ml).
Conclusions: Two years after an outbreak C. burnetii
was still detected in vaginal and nasal swabs, however, path-
ogen load was very low. Although seroconversion in sentinels
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Small Ruminants
was even detected until 2017, it did not result in shedding at
parturition. Vaccination preferentially boostered an existing
immunity, because gimmers born since 2015 showed only a
weak immune response after vaccination. However, despite
this weak immune response these animals showed a strong
immune response after a single revaccination even three
years after primary vaccination. Consequently, primary vac-
cination of gimmers is a cost-efficient long-term measure to
control C. burnetii in sheep. We do not know if it protects from
infection, however, at least in case of urgency revaccination
of such a sheep flock would rapidly increase the herd-level
immunity.
Acknowledgements: This study was financially support-
ed by the Free State of Bavaria and the Bavarian Joint Found-
ing Scheme for the Control and Eradication of contagious
Livestock Diseases.
References:
Böttcher, J. et al. (2013) Berl Münch Tierärztl Wochenschr
126, 427-435.
Böttcher, J. et al. (2017) J Vet Med Res 4(9):1106.
Keywords: Coxiella, vaccination, sheep, immunity.
SR-08
Influence of housing and management on claw health of
Swiss dairy goats
Sailer Lisa-Marie1, Joan-Bryce Burla1, Patrik Zanolari2, Katharina
Friedli1.
Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO), Centre for Proper
1
Housing of Ruminants and Pigs, Tänikon, Switzerland; 2Clinic for
Ruminants, Vetsuisse Faculty University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
Objectives: Dairy goats are commonly housed on deep
bedding without continuous access to a hard ground, at least
during winter periods. Due to the lack of claw horn wear on
abrasive surfaces, goats have a high prevalence of overgrown
wall horn, even if trimmed several times a year (Hill et al.,1997;
Kofler, 2016). Overgrown wall horn can result in claw lesions
and lameness, impaired locomotion behavior and welfare, as
well as reduced milk yield (Christodoulopoulos, 2009). How-
ever, only scarce literature is available on the characteristics
and health of goat claws. Moreover, in contrast to dairy cows,
claw trimming in goats is less organized and little is known
about the quality of claw trimming on Swiss farms. The aim of
this study was to obtain greater knowledge on the characteris-
tics and health of goat claws, and on the influence of the over
grown wall horn on the goats locomotion behavior.
Material & Methods: Data was collected on 28 dairy goat
farms all over Switzerland during two identical farm visits in
autumn 2018 and spring 2019. During each visit, the same
veterinarian recorded claw condition (claw length, claw width,
overgrown claw horn, abnormal claw forms) and claw lesions
(e.g. toe ulcer, foreign body, white line lesion) of 12 randomly
selected goats during routine claw trimming. All findings have
been documented for each animal on a “claw card”. In case of
387
ORAL — Small Ruminants
a suspicion for an infectious claw disease (particularly Dich-
elobacter nodosus or Treponema spp.), swab samples were
taken for further examination. Locomotion activity of the 12
goats was recorded over a period of three days, once just be-
fore and once two weeks after the claw trimming. Additionally,
the farmers completed a questionnaire on housing conditions
and management practices on their farms in order to identify
potential risk factors that may contribute to claw problems.
Results: Preliminary, descriptive results (final results
available by summer): In total 336 goats were included in the
study. In spring and autumn all goats showed at least two
feet with overgrown claw horn. 0,72% of the examined claws
showed no overgrown claw horn, 58.31% showed moderate
overgrown claw horn and 40.97% showed sever overgrown
claw horn. The severity of overgrowth was greater in spring
than in autumn. Animals that had been grazing in alpine re-
gions during the summer time, showed less overgrown claw
horn. Claws with sever overgrown claw horn showed more
hematomas than the ones with moderate and no overgrown
claw horn. Suspicious infected claws were checked for Diche-
lobacter nodosus and Treponema sp. with interdigital swabs,
all were tested negative.
Conclusions: Claw health, different trimming regimes, the
influence of overgrown wall horn on claw lesions, the goats
locomotion activity, and potential risk factors for overgrown
wall horn were evaluated and compared between autumn
and spring. Final results from this study will provide important
information for dairy goat farmers, contribute to prevent claw
problems, and thus promote goat welfare.
References:
1. G. Christodoulopoulos. Foot lameness in dairy goats.
Research in Veterinary Science (2009) 86, 281-284.
2. N. P. Hill, P. E. Murphy, A. J. Nelson, N. Mouttotou, L.
E. Green, K. L. Morgan. Lameness and foot lesions
in adult British dairy goats. Veterinary Record (1997)
141, 412-416.
3. J. Kofler. Klauenpflege bei Schaf und Ziege. Klauen-
tierpraxis (2016) 24, 61-68.
Keywords: Goats, claw health, housing, locomotion activ-
ity, animal welfare.
SR-09
Vaccinating pregnant ewes with an iron regulated protein
(IRP) vaccine could be a suitable strategy to control ovine
respiratory complex
J Gutiérrez1, F Hernández2, A Tirado2, Jl Blasco1, G Vertenten3, L
Fraile4, L Elvira1.
1
MSD Animal Health, Salamanca, Spain; 2Cerromonte Farm SL, Ávila,
Spain; 3MSD Animal Health, Boxmeer, Netherlands; 4Department of
Animal Science, University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain.
Objectives: Ovine Respiratory Complex (ORC) is the
leading cause of death in all types of sheep farms, times of
the year, regions, and breeds. It is one of the main causes
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
388
of morbidity and mortality in lambs with high prevalence and
economic consequences (González, 2018). Pneumonia in
sheep is a disease complex involving interactions between
host factors (immunological and physiological conditions) and
different infectious agents (viruses, bacteria and mycoplas-
mas). Mannheimia haemolytica is a key bacterium that causes
lung damage whilst viruses and mycoplasmas are considered
predisposing agents for the disease. Indeed, M. haemolytica
causes serious outbreaks of acute pneumonia in neonatal,
weaned and growing lambs, as well as calves and goat kids
(Ackermann and Borgden, 2000). Very young lambs are often
affected, with very short time to protect them through active
immunization (Lacasta et al, 2008).
Inactivated vaccines based on the iron regulated proteins
(IRP) of M. haemolytica have been shown to induce a pro-
tective immune response (over 80%) from 6 weeks after the
first dose of primary vaccination (Lacasta et al., 2008), and
offer cross-protection to serotypes not included in the vaccine
(Gilmour et al, 1991). The concept of prenatal vaccination to
increase maternal immunity in newborn lambs during the first
weeks of life is currently accepted for the prevention of neo-
natal diarrhea; however, for ORC, very limited information is
available.
Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the ti-
ters of specific antibodies against M. haemolytica in the colos-
trum of vaccinated dams and their passive transfer in lambs.
Materials & Methods: A blinded and randomized study
was performed in a Spanish dairy sheep farm with 4,300 La-
caune sheep. Two hundred pregnant ewes were randomly
allocated to one of two experimental groups: Vaccinated (Ovi-
lis® Ovipast, MSD Animal Health) and Negative Control (PBS
administration). The first 59 lambing ewes were followed (31
control and 28 vaccinated) with a collection of serum and co-
lostrum samples within 6 hours after lambing. At least 200ml
of colostrum was collected to feed the lambs with a nasopha-
ryngeal tube within 6h after birth, followed by a second admin-
istration of the same amount 6–12h after birth. Subsequently,
a sample of lamb`s serum was collected at 24-48 hours of life
and at the age of 4-5 weeks (just before weaning).
To monitor the immune response, the titer of specific an-
tibodies against M. haemolytica was quantified in the serum
and colostrum samples at the Centre for Diagnostic Services
in Boxmeer (MSD Animal Health, NL) using an in-house ELI-
SA test for M.haemolytica IgG. Additionally, colostrum quality
and passive transfer in lambs were monitored with a Brix re-
fractometer.
A non-parametric means comparison test was used (Wil-
coxon and Kruskal-Wallis test) to compare the antibody titers
between experimental groups (vaccinated versus control) in
both colostrum and serum with p=0.05.
Results: At lambing, the M. haemolytica antibody levels
in vaccinated ewe’s serum were significantly increased ver-
sus the control group (p<0.0001). Although no significant dif-
ference in brix-measured colostrum quality was found among
groups (p>0.05), the specific level of M. haemolytica antibod-
ies in the colostrum significantly increased in the vaccinated
group versus the control one (p<0.0001). Moreover, the level
of antibodies present in the colostrum was corelated with the
titer in the ewe’s serum suggesting a transfer of serum anti-
bodies to colostrum.

Finally, no significant differences were observed in degree
of passive transfer between the lambs of the two groups (born
to vaccinated versus control ewes) as measured with Brix re-
fractometer in lamb serum at 24-48 hours of life (p>0.05). This
result suggests that the passive antibody transfer was simi-
lar between experimental groups. The serum of lambs from
vaccinated dams had significantly higher level of antibodies
against M. haemolytica than control ones (p<0.0001). More-
over, at weaning this difference was still significant (p<0.001)
and showing a correlation with the initial level of antibodies
in the lambs (p<0.0001). An interesting point to emphasize is
the correlation between the Mannheimia antibody titers at dam
level (serum at lambing and colostrum) and lamb level (serum
after colostrum intake and at weaning).
Conclusion: Vaccination of pregnant ewes with an iron
regulated protein (IRP) vaccine (Ovilis® Ovipast) is a suitable
strategy to provide maternally derived immunity as an aid to
control ovine respiratory complex in young lambs.
Keywords: Ewes, ovine respiratory complex, pneumonia,
vaccination, lambs.
SR-10
Microbial agents associated with infectious
keratoconjunctivitis in Swedish reindeer
Karin Wallin Philippot1, Lena Ström2, Julia Bonevik2, Jenny Frössling3,
Charlotte Berg4, Jonas Johansson Wensman3, Anna Omazic5, Ylva
Persson3.
1
National Veterinary Institute and SLU, Department of Clinical
Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden; 2Swedish University of Agricultural
Sciences, Department of Clinical Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden; 3National
Veterinary Institute and SLU, Uppsala, Sweden; 4Swedish University of
Agricultural Sciences, Skara, Sweden; 5National Veterinary Institute,
Uppsala, Sweden.
Background: Infectious keratoconjunctivitis (IKC) is a
multi-factorial, transmissible and severe ocular disease that
affects ruminants worldwide. The disease in semi-domesticat-
ed Eurasian reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) was first
reported for more than 100 years ago. Both isolated cases
and outbreaks occur, mainly during the colder period of the
year, and primarily affecting calves and yearlings. Intensified
herding interventions (increased handling, transport, and sup-
plementary feeding of reindeer), raising the stress level of the
animals, may contribute to the present increase in appearance
of IKC in Sápmi. Previous studies indicate that cervid herpes-
virus 2 (CvHV2) works as a primary causative agent. In addi-
tion, the bacterium Chlamydia pecorum was isolated for the
first time during an outbreak of IKC in 2016 in a Swedish herd
of reindeer, but its role in developing of IKC remains unclear.
Many different bacteria have been isolated from reindeer with
IKC, such as Moraxella bovoculi, Escherichia coli and Staph-
ylococcus spp. which all may play a role in the progression of
disease. Further investigations, including prevalence, patho-
genesis, and risk factors for IKC in semidomesticated reindeer
is therefore needed.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Small Ruminants
Objectives: The objective was to study the presence of
potential pathogens in samples from reindeer in Sweden with
and without clinical signs of IKC and examine which possible
secondary bacterial ocular infections followed the suspected
primary pathogens CvHV2 and Chlamydiaceae.
Materials and Methods: Herds (n=37) with ongoing out-
breaks of IKC in Swedish reindeer 2019-2021 were selected
for participation in the study. A referral form was developed
and implemented to gather information on clinical signs from
affected reindeer. Conjunctival eye swabs (eSwab, Italy) were
collected from reindeer with (n=170) and without (n=30) clin-
ical signs of IKC, sent to the National Veterinary Institute in
Sweden (SVA), and analyzed for the presence of CvHV2 and
Chlamydiaceae with real-time PCR. In addition, routine gener-
al aerobic bacteriological culturing was performed. No specific
ethical permission was needed since the animals were sam-
pled as part of routine veterinary investigations for medical
reasons prior to treatment and for clinical evaluation and with
the approval of the owners.
Results: The preliminary results revealed a proportion
of 24.3% for CvHV2 (45/185) and 33.5% for Chlamydiaceae
(59/176). Only 4.6% (8/174) of the samples tested positive
for both CvHV2 and Chlamydiaceae simultaneously, whereas
50.0% (87/174) of the samples tested negative for CvHV2 and
Chlamydiaceae.
Bacterial cultivation from 186 samples revealed bacterial
growth in 91.9% (171/186) with no specific infection in 43.0%
(80/186) of the samples. The most frequent isolated bacteria
were Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus
cultivated in 11.8% (22/186) and 11.3% (21/186) of the sam-
ples, respectively. Moraxella spp. and Klebsiella pneumonia
were revealed in 8.6% (16/186) and 8.1% (15/186) of the
samples. Mixed flora was revealed in 81.7% of the samples
(152/186). Data are to be investigated with regards to bacterial
growth in reindeer with and without clinical signs.
In reindeer with clinical signs of IKC (n=170), there was an
association between the presence of Pseudomonas aerugino-
sa and CvHV2, compared to Chlamydiaceae. On the contrary,
Klebsiella pneumoniae and Moraxella bovoculi were associat-
ed with the presence of Chlamydiaceae and not CvHV2. Final-
ly, Staphylococcus aureus was more common in samples that
tested positive for Chlamydiaceae than for CvHV2 and among
samples tested negative for both CvHV2 and Chlamydiaceae.
The most common signs among infected reindeer, reported in
31% of the herds, were epiphora (clear eye flow), leading to a
wet cheek, followed by shedding of pus and red mucosa/con-
junctivitis, reported in 21% and 15% of the herds, respectively.
Data will be complemented prior to the conference and only
preliminary results are presented here.
Conclusions: In this study we hypothesized that CvHV2
and Chlamydiaceae act as primary pathogens of IKC in rein-
deer. Preliminary results support CvHV2 to be the primary
cause since it was only isolated in reindeer with clinical signs,
which was not the case for Chlamydiaceae. In addition, sec-
ondary bacterial infections seem to differ depending on previ-
ous findings of CvHV2 or Chlamydiaceae, which could be of
use when deciding on treatment strategy and to improve our
understanding of the pathogenesis and risk factors. However,
to conclude whether detected Chlamydiaceae in general was
preceded by CvHV2 requires further investigation.
389
ORAL — Small Ruminants
Keywords: Cervid herpes virus 2, Chlamydiaceae, bacte-
ria, eye disease, reindeer.
SR-11
Flock sensitivity and specificity of pooled fecal qPCR and
pooled serum ELISA for screening ovine paratuberculosis
Corbiere Fabien, Mathevon Yoann, Foucras Gilles.
UMR INRAe-ENVT IHAP, Toulouse, France.
Objectives: The aim of our study was to evaluate the flock
sensitivity and specificity of fecal qPCR and serum ELISA us-
ing pooled samples for screening paratuberculosis in French
sheep.
Materials and methods: Using individual feces with low
or high qPCR Ct values from ewes sampled in 14 infected
flocks, a total of 555 pools of size 5, 10 and 20 were created
by diluting individual materials in negative feces and analysed
using a commercial IS900 qPCR kit. The relative performanc-
es of pooled serum ELISA analysis were evaluated based on
the analysis of 181 different pools of size 5 and 10, composed
of individual serum samples of various individual S/P values.
Finally, a simulation study was carried out to evaluate the per-
formances of 16 screening strategies at flock level, with vary-
ing pool size (5 to 20) and number (5 to 60).
Results: For pools of size 5, 10 or 20, individual fecal sam-
ples with low Ct values were invariably detected. Conversely
fecal samples with high Ct values were associated with a low-
er detection rate in both pools of size 5 (87.0% to 90.0%), 10
(63.0% to 70.7%) and 20 (46.7% to 60.0%). After lowering the
decision threshold to 25% and 15% for serum pools of size 5
and 10 respectively, the pooled serum ELISA relative sensi-
tivity ranged between 62.2% and 100.0% depending on the
composition of the pools.
At the flock level the use of pooled serum ELISA led to false
positive detection rates ranging between 37.6% and 91.8% in
paratuberculosis free flocks and prevents its further use in that
context. For infection prevalence ≤ 5%, the flock sensitivity
based on pooled fecal qPCR ranged between 39.0% (5 pools
of size 10) and 99.9% (300 sampled individuals, with pools of
size 5,10 or20), and was always above 93% when the infec-
tion prevalence was greater or equal to 15%.
Conclusion: We conclude that pooled-fecal qPCR but not
pooled-serum ELISA could be a useful tool to detect sheep
flocks infected with paratuberculosis.
Keywords: Paratucerculosis, pooled samples, faecal
qPCR, Serum ELISA, flock sensitivy and specificity.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
390
SR-12
Diagnostic accuracy of a digital Brix refractometer for
assessing colostrum quality and failure of passive immune
transfer in neonatal lambs
Corbiere Fabien1, Rousseau Frederic2, Gadenne Sophie1, Jacquet
Amélie1, Rousset Anne-Lise1, Gautier Jean-Marc3.
1
National Veterinary School of Toulouse, Toulouse, France; 2Clinique
Vétérinaire d'Amikuze, Béhasque-Lapiste, France; 3IDELE, Toulouse,
France.
Objectives: This study aims ta assessing the diagnostic
performances of a digital Brix refractometer (Hanna HI 96801)
for the evaluation of colostrum quality and failure of transfer of
passive immunity (FTPI) in sheep.
Materials and methods: Colostrum samples from 330
meat ewes were collected within 6 hours after lambing and
frozen immediately until analysis. The immunoglobulins G1
(IgG1) concentration was assessed by radial immunodiffusion
(RID). The colostrum total fat content was assessed by the
Gerber method. In addition, 230 plasmas were collected in 2-
to 4-day old lambs and their IgG1 concentration measured by
RID. All colostrum and plasma samples were assessed by the
digital Brix refractometers. Test sensitivity (Se) and specificity
(Sp) were calculated using RID as the reference standard with
failure of passive immune transfer (FTPI) defined as IgG <
10.0 g/L. The IgG<50 g/L threshold was used to mark poor
quality colostrum. Receiver operating characteristics curves
were created and optimal cut-offs values for each refractome-
ter were selected based on the maximization of the Youden’s
J statistic.
Results: The Pearson correlation coefficient between RID
and %Brix results on lamb plasma was high (r=0.91). The
RID and %Brix results on colostrum samples were also high-
ly correlated (r=0.79). A significant influence of the colostrum
fat concentration on the %Brix value was evidenced, with an
increase of 10 g/L of fat leading to an average 0.5% increase
on the Brix scale. For the detection of colostrum with IgG1
concentration lower than 50g/L, the optimal decision thresh-
old value was 24.0 % Brix (Se=87%; Sp=91%) for the Hanna
Brix refractometer. For the detection of FTPI in lambs (plasma
IgG1<10 g/L) the optimal decision threshold was 8.3% Brix
(Se=97% and Sp=87%).
Conclusion: Brix refractometry appeared to provide rea-
sonably accurate results for the assessment of colostrum
quality and FTPI in sheep. The optimal decision cut-offs were
similar to those established in cattle. For on-farm use, a digital
Brix refractometer can be a valuable and inexpensive tool to
help producers and veterinary practitioners in their lamb health
management programs.
Keywords: Colostrum, transfer of passive immunity, digi-
tal refractometer, sensitivity, specificity.

SR-13
Detection of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis as an
etiologic agent causing polyarthritis in lambs
Héctor Ruiz1, Mar Juní1, Marcos Pons2, Oihane Alzuguren3, Paula
Cano1, Juan José Ramos1.
1
Facultad Veterinaria de la Universidad de Zaragoza, c/ Miguel Server
177, 50013., Zaragoza, Spain; 2Centro de servicios clínicos veterinarios
Osca, Avda. del Cinca 55, 22300, Barbastro, Spain; 3EXOPOL
diagnósticos y autovacuna S.L., Pol. Río Gállego D/8 50840, San Mateo
de Gállego, Spain.
Objectives: Polyarthritis is one of the most important pa-
thologies in lambs, both in lactation and during fattening peri-
od, due to the implications that this pathology has in the econ-
omy of the farm, as it produces growth losses and an increase
in mortality. Polyarthritis can be caused by some different mi-
croorganisms such as Streptococcus dysgalactiae, Erysipelo-
thrix rhusiopathiae, Trueperella pyogenes, etc.
Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis is the etiologic agent
of the caseous lymphadenitis (CLA) which usually affects
small ruminants. The most frequent locations of the pyogran-
ulomas caused by C. pseudotuberculosis are in superficial
lymph nodes, in the superficial clinical form of the disease, or
in deep lymph nodes such as mediastinic and internal organs,
in visceral clinical form.
In this paper is described the first presentation of C.
pseudotuberculosis as microorganism responsible for polyar-
thritis in feedlot lambs.
Materials and methods: The Ruminant Clinical Service
(SCRUM) of the Veterinary Faculty of Zaragoza, Spain, re-
ceives animals from the Faculty´s area of influence which can
be culling animal belonging to collaborating farms or clinical
cases referred by veterinarians. Two fattening lambs coming
from two different clinical cases of polyarthritis were referred
to the SCRUM during 2019 in order to reach a final diagnosis
of the cause of the outbreak.
Both animals were subjected to the same protocol of all
the animals received at the service. They were submitted to
a rigorous clinical examination and blood samples were taken
to carry out a blood count test. Subsequently, thermography
and arthrocentesis of the affected joints were made in both
animals. In addition, a computed tomography (CT) was also
performed in one of the animals. Finally, the lambs were hu-
manely sacrificed to conclude with a complete pathological ex-
amination with sampling of affected joints. Samples obtained
from arthrocentesis and post-mortem study were quickly
submitted to the laboratory in order to perform a microbiolog-
ical and biomolecular analysis. The isolation of the causative
agent was carried out in the laboratory EXOPOL diagnóstico
y autovacunas S.L.
Results: The clinical examination of the lambs showed
that one of the lambswas affected in the tarsal joint of the right
hindlimb and the other in the tarsal joint of the left hindlimb.
The animals were lame and reluctant to move and they also
showed a clear stunted growth. The affected joints were hot,
swollen and painful.
Hematology revealed a clear leukocytosis with neutrophilia
in both animals. These parameters can be indicatives of an
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Small Ruminants
acute bacterial infection. Likewise, thermography showed an
increase in the temperature of the joint of the affected limbs in
comparison with the unaffected joints. Finally, computed to-
mography (CT) scan performed in one of the lambs revealed
an important enlargement of the popliteal lymph node of the
affected limb that partially collapsed the adjacent vein, which
hinders the venous return.
Pathological findings confirmed an important purulent ar-
thritis in the affected joints in both lambs.
In Both analyzed animals a massive and pure isolation
of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis was obtained in the
affected joints, in both samples, those of arthrocentesis and
those taken after necropsy.
Conclusions: It can be concluded that Corynebacterium
pseudotuberculosis can cause polyarthritis in lambs, there-
fore, this microorganism should be included in the list of mi-
croorganisms associated with this disorder in lambs. However,
the reason why C. pseudotuberculosis is able to migrate to the
joint and produce this pathology is still unknown.
Keywords: Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, polyar-
thritis, lambs, arthrocentesis.
SR-14
Major concerns of the small ruminant farmer on St. Kitts
Jerry Roberson1, Ninian Cameron-Blake2, Hilari French2, Souvik
Ghosh2.
Long Island University College of Veterinary Medicine, Brookville,
1
United States; 2Ross School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, Saint
Kitts and Nevis.
Introduction: Small ruminants make up a large percent-
age of livestock on St. Kitts but their numbers are declining,
estimated to be less than 10,000 head. Because many of the
small ruminant farmers of St. Kitts do not own pasture, their
herds and or flocks will typically be allowed free range. This
complicates production and disease management practices
that could help provide improved sustainability. Small ruminant
productivity can be increased but only after understanding, ad-
dressing and correcting the major issues and concerns of the
small ruminant producer on St. Kitts.
Objectives: 1) Investigate the concerns and management
practices of the St. Kitts small ruminant producer and 2) Prior-
itize and provide possible solutions.
Materials and Methods: Fifty small ruminant producers
were solicited via telephone or in person to participate in this
study. A questionnaire was administered on site to the produc-
ers to better comprehend herd and flock management prac-
tices. Information was gathered regarding general farm sta-
tistics, nutrition, marketing, reproduction, disease occurrence,
disease treatment and or prevention methods and facilities.
Producers were asked to list their top three major concerns.
Producers were also asked to list the top 3 major disease con-
cerns.
Results: The results indicate that predation by dogs af-
391
ORAL — Small Ruminants
fected 50% of small ruminant producers. The second most
common issues (36%) were genetic improvement and obtain-
ing medications for both treatment and prevention. The fourth
most common issue was theft, 30% of farms. Other major
issues were nutrition (26%), general disease issues (24%),
fencing/pens (24%), internal parasites (22%), external para-
sites, predominatley ticks (22%) and availability of land/pas-
ture (22%). Other issues that were listed < 10% of the time
were, dermatophilus, livestock transport, herd health, housing,
wild fires, trauma (hit by bus) and marketing. Specific diseases
were not among the top four concerns but the primary specific
disease concerns were internal parasites (76%), ticks (72%)
and dermatophilus (36%). Other diseases or clinical condi-
tions mentioned as concerns (< 20% of the time) were upper
respiratory diseases (nasal bots), abortion, contagious ecthy-
ma, mange, spiders, foot issues, tetanus, sudden death and
frothy mouth.
Conclusion: The major issues affecting the small rumi-
nant farmers were unexpected as disease issues were not in
the top four (e. g. internal parasites). Efforts directed toward
decreasing dog predation and theft would benefit the small
ruminant farmer. Genetic improvement may be increased by
importation of select sheep and goats to the island. Making
medications easily, economically and readily available would
benefit the St. Kitts small ruminant producer.
Keywords: Sheep, goat, problems, survey.
SR-15
Assessment of the impact of a biofilm-embedded bacteria-
based vaccine against Staphylococcus in suckler flock ewes
on lambs’ development and mammary gland score
Anaïs Dubray1, Benoit Bolkaerts1, Christine Baricalla1, Leonard
Théron2, Nathalie Kirschvink1.
University of Namur, Veterinary department, Narilis, Namur, Belgium;
1
Hipra Benelux, Gent, Belgium.
2
Objectives: To evaluate the effect of a vaccine against
staphylococcal mastitis in suckler flock ewes by assessing
lambs’ growth and mammary gland score in vaccinated and
non-vaccinated ewes. The used vaccine (VIMCO©, Hipra) in-
cluded an antigen based on a bacterin of Staphylococcus au-
reus strain, expressing the exopolysaccharide poly-N-acetyl-
glucosamine (PNAG), which is involved in biofilm formation
by these bacteria. It was hypothesized that the vaccine would
reduce incidence of subclinical mastitis and thereby improve
suckler lambs growth.
Material and methods: 200 pregnant Ile-de-France ewes
were divided in two similar groups based on their parity and
age. One group underwent vaccination against mastitis by 2
intramuscular vaccine (VIMCO©) injections at 5 and 2 weeks
before lambing (Vacc), the second group served as non-vacci-
nated control (non Vacc). Their suckling lambs were weighed
at birth, at 48 hours of age and at weaning, allowing to calcu-
late daily weight gain (DWG) and age at weaning. Cases of
clinically detectable mastitis were recorded. At weaning, each
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
392
ewe underwent mammary gland inspection. A mammary gland
score taking into account retromammary lymph nodes (nor-
mally sized versus hypertrophy), left-right gland asymmetry
and presence or absence of nodules was established for each
ewe. Data were analyzed by ANOVA in order to assess the ef-
fect of vaccination on lambs’ weight at 48 hours of age, weight
at weaning, DWG at weaning, clinical mastitis incidence and
mammary gland score. A p-value below 0.05 was considered
as significant. Data from ewes whose lambs died or needed
continuous bottle feeding were withdrawn from analysis, lead-
ing to 96 non-vaccinated ewes aged of 3.77±1.78 years with
158 lambs and to 93 vaccinated ewes aged of 3.76±1.66 years
with 146 lambs.
Results: While weight at birth did not differ between groups
(Non Vacc: 4.72±0.95 kg versus Vacc: 4.81±0.77 kg, p = 0.95),
weight at 48 hours after birth was significantly higher in lambs
raised by vaccinated ewes (Non Vacc: 5.03±0.95 kg versus
Vacc: 5.25±0.89 kg, p < 0.05). At weaning around 74 days of
life, weight and DWG were significantly higher in lambs suck-
ling vaccinated ewes (weight : Non Vacc: 29.39±4.78 kg versus
Vacc: 30.63±4.39 kg, p <0.05; DWG : Non Vacc: 0.34±0.06 kg/
day versus Vacc: 0.35±0.05 kg/day, p <0.05). Mortality of new-
born lambs equaled 4.5 % and did not differ between groups.
Regarding udder evaluation of vaccinated and non-vaccinated
ewes, the mammary gland score did not differ between groups
(Non Vacc: 1.19±0.73 versus Vacc: 1.18±0.81, p = 0.89). In-
tramammary small-sized nodules were detected in 14% of
non-vaccinated ewes and in 15% of vaccinated ewes whereas
minor udder asymmetry occurred in 40% of non-vaccinated
and in 38% of vaccinated ewes. Clinical mastitis occurred in 1
non-vaccinated and 2 vaccinated ewes.
Conclusions: The low prevalence of clinical mastitis in
the flock made not possible to asses the impact on detectable
signs of mastitis. However, suckler lambs’ growth increased by
4% as demonstrated by increased DWG and weight at wean-
ing in lambs raised by vaccinated ewes.
Keywords: Mastitis, vaccine, suckler lambs, daily weight
gain.
SR-16
Chronic Coenurosis in sheep: Spontaneous remission of
clinical signs and role of CT and MRI in the diagnosis and
follow-up
Jorge Gimeno, Maria Pérez Barcia, María Climent, Ricardo De
Miguel, María Teresa Ortiz, Alba Magdalena, Enrique Castells,
Amaia Escudero, Luis Miguel Ferrer.
Facultad de Veterinaria Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.
Coenurosis is a condition caused by Coenurus cerebralis,
the larval stage of Taenia multiceps, and causes enormous
economic losses in husbandry production. C. cerebralis main-
ly develops in the central nervous system of sheep and other
ungulates whereas T. multiceps inhabits the small intestine
of wild and domestic canids, being the dog the main defini-
tive host. Proper diagnosis of Coenurus cerebralis infection is

challenging and although epidemiological and clinical studies
are useful to guide the diagnosis, a post-mortem examina-
tion is decisive to confirm the suspicion. In alive animals, a
presumptive diagnosis is usually made in the light of the neu-
rological examination, but clinical signs observed are usually
non-specific. In the present study, a case of spontaneous clin-
ical remission of chronic cerebral coenurosis is presented for
the first time and the role of computed tomography (CT) and
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis and follow
up is studied.
Five animals presenting neurological clinical signs were
referred to the Clinical Ruminant Service (SCRUM) of the Uni-
versity of Zaragoza. All animals were adult young sheep (1-3
years old) and they belong to a meat sheep flock reared in a
semiintensive production system. No treatments were applied
to the animals prior to its reference to the SCRUM. Exhaustive
clinical examination of the five animals was performed, mak-
ing special emphasis on neurological examination. Although a
huge variety of neurological clinical signs were observed, the
most common symptoms were circling, frequent bleating, sep-
aration from the flock and visual impairment. A CT scan of the
five affected animals was performed with a Bivro CT scan of
two slides (General Electric Healthcare). CT imaging revealed
the presence of single fluidfilled cystic structures that occupied
40-55% of the cranial cavity, comprising and atrophying the
adjacent encephalic structures. In the light of clinical signs and
CT images, diagnosis of chronic coenurosis was stablished.
Four of the five animals were humanely sacrificed and the di-
agnosis was confirmed at the postmortem evaluation, where
big intracranial parasitic cyst with multiple protoscolices were
found associated with severe focally extensive pressure atro-
phy of the brain.
As one of the animals was pregnant, it was hospitalized
until it raised the lamb. During this time, that lasted 7 months,
clinical signs remitted spontaneously in the absence of any
treatment application. To clarify this outstanding clinical finding
both, CT and MRI (Hitachi AIRIS Mate 0.2T, Blue Star E&E)
exams were performed. This second CT revealed a marked
retraction of the parasitic cyst. In addition, a severe increase
in tisular density was found in contrast with the fluid-filled Co-
enurus cyst showed in the first CT. MRI confirmed the loca-
tion of the Coenurus and helped to further characterize the
morphological abnormalities in the cranial cavity. Interestingly,
MRI revealed that the area previously occupied by the parasit-
ic cyst had been replaced by encephalic tissue and a mass of
undefined consistence. After weaning, the ewe was humane-
ly sacrificed. Post-mortem examination of the brain showed
focally extensive polioencephalomalacia localized in the right
occipital lobe. At cut section, shrunken remnants of the par-
asitic cyst were found as a nodular greyish mass, which dis-
torted the white matter, expanding and compressing adjacent
structures. Tissue samples were fixed in 10% neutral buffered
formalin and embedded in paraffin wax for histopathological
evaluation. Microscopically, degenerate coenurus were char-
acterized by a disrupted 300µm thick hyaline tegument, partial-
ly mineralized and filled by granular acellular eosinophilic re-
fringent material and multiple round basophilic structures. The
parasite cyst was surrounded by moderate edema and a rim of
abundant foamy macrophages, eosinophils, lymphocytes and
plasma cells. The final diagnosis of chronic coenurosis with
cyst collapse and larval death was assessed.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Small Ruminants
In this report, CT and MRI revealed outstanding results in
the detection of the parasitic cysts. Moreover, valuable infor-
mation of the surrounding nervous structures was obtained. In
regards of these results, both techniques can be proposed as
the gold standard for the diagnosis of the chronic phase of this
condition. Furthermore, CT and MRI can become key tools
for the diagnosis of ovine encephalic affections and the devel-
opment of new therapeutical approaches in sheep. To date,
this is the first report of the imaging follow-up of spontaneous
clinical remission, suggesting the role of optimal management
in the outcome of the chronically affected animals.
Keywords: Ovine, coenurosis, computed tomography,
magnetic resonance imaging.
SR-17
A topical anaesthestic wound formulation diminishes pain
responses of lambs at tail-docking
Aurora Ortin1, Juan José Ramos1, Delia Lacasta1, María Teresa
Tejedor1, Luis Miguel Ferrer1, Enrique Castells2, Marta Ruiz De
Arcaute1, Inés Rubira3, Peter Windsor4.
1
Facultad de Veterinaria. Instituto IA2 (Universidad de Zaragoza-
CITA), Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain; 2Centro Clínico Veterinario S.L.,
Zaragoza, Spain; 3Gabinete Técnico Veterinario S.L., Zaragoza, Spain;
4
Veterinary Faculty. University of Sydney., Sydney, Australia.
Objectives: Tail-docking is a routine global husbandry
procedure conducted in lambs to reduce myiasis risk and im-
prove fertility. It is often performed without pain relief, although
use of general anaesthesia has been advocated, at an exor-
bitant and prohibitive cost to farmers. There is an urgent need
for a practical and affordable approach acceptable to farmers
that markedly reduces animal suffering. We evaluated use of a
topical anaesthetic ‘spray-on’ wound management formulation
containing the local anaesthetics lignocaine and bupivacaine,
plus cetramide and adrenalin, in a gel matrix (Tri-Solfen®,
Bayer Animal Health, Gordon, NSW, Australia). Impacts of
treatments on pain response in lambs, where the tail was ex-
cised surgically, with and without use of general anaesthesia,
are reported.
Materials and methods: This study was approved by
the Ethical Commission of the University of Zaragoza. Fe-
male Rasa Aragonesa 45 day-old lambs (n = 44) with similar
weights in a farm in Zaragoza (Spain) were recruited for the
study. The 4 equal cohorts (n=11) of lambs with: the tail ex-
cised with a scalpel without local or general anaesthesia and
without subsequent stitching (Group A); the tail excised un-
der general and local anaesthesia with stitching to close the
wound (Group B); the tail excised with a scalpel without prior
anaesthesia and without stitching but treated immediately with
Tri-Solfen® (Group C); the tail excised under general and local
anaesthesia with stitching to close the wound following imme-
diate treatment of the wound with Tri-Solfen® (Group D).
Pain-related behaviour was assessed using a numerical
rating scale (NRS) developed previously. A trained scientist
blinded to treatment observed the lambs immediately (B0),
393
ORAL — Small Ruminants
2.5h (B1) and 5h (B2) after tail docking. Individual lambs
were ascribed an NRS score between 0 and 3, where: 0 = no
pain-related behaviour; 1 = mildly abnormal posture, gait or
behaviour, including mild kyphosis without hyperextension of
hindlegs, ventral recumbency with hindlegs partially extended
or mild stiffening of gait without overt limping or leg dragging;
2 = moderately abnormal posture, gait or behaviour, includ-
ing ‘statue standing’ with head down and prominent kyphosis,
moderate stiffening or slowing of gait or hyperextension and/or
abduction of hindlegs, ventral recumbency with hindlegs fully
extended; 3 = displaying severely abnormal posture, gait or
behaviour, including marked agitation with twisting or writh-
ing, high frequency of postural change from lying to kneeling
or standing, distressed vocalisation, lateral or prostrate lying,
kneeling, dog sitting or tremors, shaking or lip curling. Data
were analyzed using the Mann –Whitney U test.
Results: In cohorts tail-docked under general anaesthe-
sia (B & D) the mean of the NRS pain score at B0 was 2.364
for untreated animals and 2.045 for animals treated with Tri-
Solfen® (p>0.05). However, in cohorts tail-docked without
general anaesthesia (A & C), the mean of the NRS pain score
at B0 was lower, at 1.273 for untreated animals and 0.682
for treated lambs (p = 0.013). The differences between the
two methods of tail docking at B0, regardless of whether the
lambs were treated or not with Tri-solfen®, also showed highly
significant differences (p = 0.004). The group not undergoing
surgical stitching suffered less pain immediately after the pro-
cedure, especially if treated with Tri-solfen®. These results
accord with those previously published but where tails were
removed by a hot-iron (Lomax et al. 2010).
By 2.5hrs after tail docking (B1), the NRS scores had be-
gun to equalize, although differences were still observed be-
tween treatments. In cohorts without Tri-solfen® (A & B) the
mean of the pain response was 1.136 and 1.091, whereas in
cohorts treated with Tri-solfen® (C & D) the mean was 0.864
and 0.818, respectively (p > 0.05). Finally, at 5 hours (B2)
most of the animals, independent of the group they belonged
to, no longer displaying pain behaviours.
Conclusions: These findings and additional clinical evi-
dence of pain relief presented elsewhere are encouraging,
suggesting that surgical tail-docking without general anaes-
thesia but where wounds are immediately sprayed with Tri-
Solfen® is an affordable method of alleviating pain in lambs
undergoing tail docking.
Keywords: Sheep, topical anaesthesia, pain, tail-docking.
SR-18
Effect of a topical anaesthetic formulation on wound
healing after tail-docking in lambs
Luis Miguel Ferrer1, Delia Lacasta1, Aurora Ortín1, María Pérez1,
María Teresa Tejedor1, Juan José Ramos1, Calasanz Jiménez2, Peter
Windsor3.
1
Facultad de Veterinaria. Instituto IA2 (Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA),
Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain; 2Gabinete Técnico Veterinario S.L., Zaragoza,
Spain; 3Veterinary Faculty. University of Sydney., Sydney, Australia.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
394
Objectives: Tail-docking is a routine global husbandry
procedure conducted in lambs to reduce myiasis risk and im-
prove fertility. It is often performed without pain relief, although
use of general anaesthesia has been advocated, at an exorbi-
tant cost to farmers. There is an urgent need to find a practical
and affordable approach acceptable to farmers that avoids or
markedly reduces animal suffering. This study evaluated the
effect of a topical anaesthetic ‘spray-on’ wound management
formulation containing the local anaesthetics lignocaine and
bupivacaine, plus cetramide and adrenalin, in a gel matrix
(Tri-Solfen®, Bayer Animal Health, Gordon, NSW, Australia).
Impacts of treatments on wound healing in lambs, where the
tail was excised surgically, with and without use of general an-
aesthesia, are reported.
Materials and methods: This study was approved by the
Ethical Commission of the University of Zaragoza. Female
Rasa Aragonesa 45 day-old lambs (n = 44) with similar weights
in an intensively-housed farm in Zaragoza (Spain) were recruit-
ed for the study. The 4 equal cohorts (n=11) of lambs with: the
tail excised with a scalpel without local or general anaesthesia
and without subsequent stitching (Group A); the tail excised
under general and local anaesthesia with stitching to close the
wound (Group B); the tail excised with a scalpel without pri-
or anaesthesia and without stitching but treated immediately
with Tri-Solfen® (Group C); the tail excised under general and
local anaesthesia with stitching to close the wound following
immediate treatment of the wound with Tri-Solfen® (Group D).
Following the procedure, the animals were examined daily for
15 days, with lesions photographed. This enabled analysis
of wound healing after tail-docking and the detection of sec-
ondary infections. Data were analyzed using survival analysis
(Kaplan- Meyer method and Breslow test), evaluating the days
until the wound is found infected.
Results: In the period analyzed, 73% (16 of 22) of lambs
in the two cohorts not undergoing surgical stitching (A & C)
and 91% (20 of 22) of lambs in the two cohort undergoing
surgical stitching (B & D), developed signs of wound infec-
tion. Further, the mean of days on which the animals showed
no signs of wound infection was significantly later in the two
groups not undergoing surgical stitching (A:10.2 & C:11.5) ver-
sus those where stitching occurred (B:5.2 & D:4.6). The me-
dian, being the day when half of the lambs displayed infection
and half did not, was: A:2 days; B: 3 days; C: 4 days; and D:
1 day. Although only significant differences were found when
comparing the two methods, with and without stitching, among
those treated with Tri-Solfen®, it was observed that the best
results was in cohort group C, being lambs whose tail was
excised without stitching and the wounds were treated with
Tri-Solfen®.
Conclusions: These results and those presented else-
where are encouraging, suggesting that surgical tail-docking
without general anaesthesia but where wounds are immedi-
ately sprayed with Tri-Solfen® is an affordable and efficacious
method of conducting the procedure, since this topical anaes-
thesia wound treatment formulation reduces infections to a
certain extent, hastening wound healing.
Keywords: Sheep, topical anaesthesia, wound healing,
tail-docking.

SR-19
Study of the use of bronchoalveolar lavage as a live diagnostic
method to detect clinical pulmonary Maedi Visna
Alba Magdalena1, Andrea Menjón1, Marcelo De Las Heras1, Marta
Borobia1, J.l Arnal2, Julen Elorza1, Delia Lacasta3.
1
Facultad de Veterinaria de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain; 2Laboratorio
Agroambiental de Aragón, Zaragoza, Spain; 3Instituto IA2 (Universidad
de Zaragoza-CITA), Zaragoza, Spain.
Objectives: Maedi-Visna virus (MVV) is a lentivirus that in-
fects, mainly, sheep older than two years, causing a multi-sys-
temic and slow progressive syndrome, inducing a chronic
inflammation of the lung, mammary gland, central nervous
system and joints. It causes relevant economic losses world-
wide and due to the lack of vaccines and treatments, a suitable
diagnosis is decisive to develop control programs.
The main objective of this survey was to evaluate the use-
fulness of the molecular study of bronchoalveolar lavages us-
ing PCR techniques to improve the live diagnosis of the pulmo-
nary form of Maedi Visna disease (MV). In order to investigate
the efficacy of this diagnostic method, the MV compatible lung
lesions found after the necropsy of the studied animals were
analyzed and lung tissue samples were also collected to per-
form a molecular diagnosis of the MVV.
Material and methods: One hundred and fifty-five culling
sheep coming from four collaborating farms were analyzed at
the Ruminant Clinic Service of the University of Zaragoza. All
the animals were subjected to the same protocol: complete
clinical examination with special emphasis on the respiratory
system was performed and a blood sample was collected to
carry out a MVV serological analysis. Subsequently, prior to
the animals being euthanized, a bronchoalveolar lavage was
accomplished to obtain a sample of the lower respiratory tract
in order to be analyzed by PCR. Finally, post-mortem patho-
logical study was carried out at the Pathological Service of
the Veterinary Faculty of Zaragoza and lung tissue samples
were taken for molecular studies. Samples obtained in bron-
choalveolar lavages and post-mortem collections (portion of
lung parenchyma) were analyzed in EXOPOL diagnóstico y
autovacunas S.L. by quantitative PCR (qPCR). The specific
EXOone Maedi Visna - CAEV oneMIX kit developed by the
EXOPOL laboratory was used. The samples were considered
positive when the Cq value (quantification cycles) was ≤38.
The data were recorded in SPSS STATISTICS 22.0. com-
puter program and the WinEpi web platform was used to es-
timate sensitivity and specificity values and predictive values.
Results: Lungs with compatible MV lesions (12.25%)
were those that presented these four lesions: lung enlarge-
ment, general grayish discoloration, grey subpleural dots and
a significant increase in mediastinal lymph nodes size. Lungs
suspicious of having MV (22.60%) were considered to be
those with 2 or 3 of these lesions and lungs not compatible
(65.15%) those with 1 or none compatible lesions. The main
lesion found was lung enlargement (43.90%), followed by the
discoloration (32.90%), increased size of mediastinal lymph
nodes (23.90%) and grey subpleural dots (12.25%).
Regarding bronchoalveolar lavages, 16.10% of the ana-
lyzed animals were MVV-positive by PCR. Therefore, 77.80%
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Small Ruminants
of animals with MV-compatible lesions and 20.60% of the an-
imals classified as suspected gave a positive PCR result for
MVV in bronchoalveolar fluid. Only 3.10% of the lungs clas-
sified as non-compatible were MVV-positive in bronchoalveo-
lar lavage. The results of positive predictive value (PPV) and
negative predictive value (NPV) related to the presence or
absence of macroscopic lesion have a value of 82.40% and
96.00%, respectively.
On the other hand, 29.73% of the lung parenchyma ana-
lyzed tested positive by PCR. In this case, 89.50% of the lungs
with lesions compatible with MV, 37.10% of the suspicious and
14.90% of the non-compatible ones showed positive results in
parenchyma. Thus, PPV was 54.80% and NPV was 97.60%.
These results could suggest that the PCR test of lung paren-
chyma also detects infected animals that do not show obvious
MV macroscopic lung lesions.
Conclusions: Bronchoalveolar lavage is revealed as a
suitable technique, little invasive and innovative, for the in vivo
diagnosis of the pulmonary form of Maedi Visna disease, with
adequate predictive values both positive and negative.
Keywords: Bronchoalveolar, lavage, diagnose, pulmo-
nary, Maedi.
SR-20
Evaluation of different reproductive management protocols
to advance pregnancy onset in sarda ewe-lambs at their first
reproductive season
Antonio Spezzigu1, Francesca Daniela Sotgiu2, Cristian Porcu2,
Giovanni Molle3, Fiammetta Berlinguer2.
1
Embryo Sardegna Reproduction and Fertility, Perfugas, Italy;
2
Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassarri, Sassari,
Italy; 3AGRIS Sardegna, Sassari, Italy.
Objectives: For a successful dairy production Mediterra-
nean dairy sheep breeding aims to initiate the mating season
in late spring for adult ewes with lambing in late autumn. The
ewe-lambs born in autumn are usually mated during the repro-
ductive season of the following year (late August – December).
This scenario imposes a different management strategy for the
ewe-lambs which respond poorly to the male effect and tend to
have poorer response to synchronization protocols when com-
pared to adult ewes. Thus, the reproductive management of
ewe-lambs relies mostly on natural mating, where young ewes
are kept with the males in a single flock. This practice leads to
a long lambing season with the bulk of the ewe-lambs lambing
in March-April (pregnancy onset October-November). In addi-
tion, ewe-lamb’s reproductive and productive performance are
lower compared to adult ewes.
The present study aimed to assess if the ram effect alone
or associated with a GnRH administration, are able to advance
pregnancy onset in dairy ewe-lambs of different weight, when
entering the first reproductive season. Treatments were tested
in different groups having low, medium and high live weight. The
different outcome between protocols was evaluated by com-
paring the number of days from treatment to pregnancy onset.
395
ORAL — Small Ruminants
Materials & Methods: On mid-July, 131 prepubertal ewe-
lambs were selected from a single flock. Ovarian status was
evaluated by transrectal ultrasonography to ensure the ab-
sence of cyclicity. The animals were divided in three groups
according to live weight (live weight ± SE; high weight: HW,
39,1 ± 0,3, n=35; medium weight: MW, 33,8 ± 0,2, n=64; low
weight: LW, 28,2 ± 0,3, n=32). Within each weight group, an-
imals were randomly allocated into two subgroups: GnRH,
treated with a GnRH analogue (gonadorelin, 40 μg/head; 0.8
ml of Cystoreline®, Ceva Salute Animale, Italy); CTR, which
was the untreated control. Both subgroups were exposed to
the ram effect. GnRH groups following 1 week from the treat-
ment administration, were evaluated again by ovarian ultra-
sound scanning. Ewe-lambs showing corpora lutea were in-
jected with a PGF2α analogue (cloprostenol, 100 µg/head,
PGFVeyx, Vexy-Pharma GmbH, Germany) and then placed
with crayon marked rams. Ewe-lambs not showing signs of
ovulations were injected with a second dose of GnRH. After 7
days, the ewe-lambs were checked again and the ones show-
ing corpora lutea were injected with a PGF2α analogue, while
the remaining received a third injection of GnRH. After all ewe-
lambs were exposed to fertile rams. Ewe-lambs in the CTR,
after the initial ultrasound scanning, were managed as single
flock with fertile rams fitted with crayon markers.
Ewes mating behaviour was checked daily for 120 days
starting from rams introduction. The mated ewe-lambs, once
identified, were removed from the flock. Pregnancy was diag-
nosed within 30 days after mating using transrectal ultraso-
nography. During the trial, data collection was supported by a
farm management software developed by Sementusatech®.
The efficacy of the protocols in anticipating pregnancy onset
was determined by assessing differences between groups in
the number of days (from Day 1 - treatment start to pregnancy
onset) needed to reach the 25%, 50%, 75% of flock pregnancy
rate.
Results: There was a difference in the timing of pregnan-
cy establishment between groups (p˂0.005). The GnRH-MW
group showed the best performances in reaching the threshold
pregnancy rates of 25, 50 and 75% (P<0.05) when compared
to the other groups. Both LW groups had poorer performanc-
es (P<0.05). The administration of GnRH had no effect in ad-
vancing the onset of pregnancy in the HW group (GnRH-HW)
when compared to (CTR-HW). Both groups showed a delay
in reaching the 25% pregnancy rates compared to the GnRH-
MW group, but thereafter HW groups were able to catch up.
Conclusions: The current study showed that the hor-
monal protocol can improve reproductive performances in
ewe-lambs at their first reproductive season by advancing
pregnancy onset and by increasing fertility rates in medium
weight ewe-lambs. The ram effect alone could be used with
ewe-lambs that have already reached the optimal weight at
the onset of the breeding season.
Keywords: Puberty, male effect, GnRH, ultrasound, dairy
sheep.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
396
SR-21
Effect of a topical anaesthetic formulation on viral load in
lambs naturally infected with orf virus
Delia Lacasta1, Ramsés Reina2, Juan José Ramos1, Luis Miguel Ferrer1,
Silvia Martínez1, Alfredo A. Benito3, María Teresa Tejedor1, Irache
Echevarria2, Peter Windsor4.
1
Veterinary Faculty of Zaragoza and IA2. University of Zaragoza,
Zaragoza, Spain; 2Institute of Agrobiotechnology (CSIC-Gobierno
de Navarra), Mutilva, Spain; 3Laboratorios EXOPOL, diagnóstico
y autovacunas, San Mateo de Gállego, Spain; 4Faculty of Veterinary
Science. University of Sydney., Sydney, Australia.
Objectives: Orf is a highly contagious eruptive skin con-
dition of sheep and goats, caused by a Parapoxvirus with a
worldwide distribution. It affects mainly lambs and kids, with
more serious outbreaks often associated with intensive hus-
bandry, causing significant financial losses to livestock pro-
duction. It is also a zoonotic disease, affecting mainly people
via direct or indirect contact with infected animals. Vaccination
remains the preferred option to control the disease. However,
currently in Spain and many other countries, no orf vaccine is
available. The treatment of this disorder referred to as Conta-
gious Ecthyma and Scabby Mouth, involves standard hygiene
practices and management of presumptive secondary infec-
tions.
The wound dressing formulation, Tri-Solfen® (Animal Eth-
ics Pty Ltd, Australia) is registered for use in sheep in Austra-
lia, cattle in Australia, New Zealand and Laos, and is in the
process of being registered to be used in cattle and pigs in
Europe and other countries. This formulation offers numerous
advantages over current therapies, particularly as it has been
confirmed as providing pain relief and more rapid healing of
lesions (Windsor et al, 2016). The formulation contains two
local anaesthetics (lignocaine and bupivacaine), adrenalin and
an antiseptic (cetramide) in a gel formulation that creates a
barrier effect with a pH of ~2.7. This numbs the pain of lesions,
reduces their infectivity, hastens healing, potentially reduces
weight loss, and the antisepsis properties avoids the need for
other treatments, including antibiotics.
This study explores potential antiviral roles and heal-
ing properties of Tri-Solfen® in orf naturally infected lambs
through viral genome real time PCR quantification and tissue
culture in ovine primary cells.
Materials and methods: This study was approved by the
Ethical Commission of the University of Zaragoza. Fourteen
one-month-old Rasa Aragonesa lambs, naturally infected with
orf, were recruited from a farm where an outbreak of orf dis-
ease was occurring. The animals were selected at the early
stages of the infection when lesions were initially advised and
divided into two cohorts: Group A (n=11) consisting of animals
with orf lesions treated with Tri-Solfen® and Group B (n=3), a
control group without treatment.
Cotton swabs were obtained before treatment (T0) and
days 1 (T1), 3 (T2) and 5 (T3) post-treatment, then submitted
to direct DNA extraction and real-time PCR quantification (Ex-
opol) or to incubation with primary tissue cultures from ovine
skin fibroblasts (OSF) and T-immortalized goat embryonic
fibroblasts (TIGEF). Orf virus quantification was performed

by real time PCR on DNA from cultured cells at day 0 and 5
post-treatment. Data were analyzed using the non-parametric
Wilcoxon test for paired samples and by T-Student’s test for
unrelated samples.
Results: In the study carried out using quantitative PCR,
no significant differences were found between day 0 pre-treat-
ment (T0) and day 5 post-treatment (T3) (p=0.722). However,
when the viral load was assessed in primary tissue cultures of
ovine skin fibroblasts (OSF) and T-immortalized goat embry-
onic fibroblasts (TIGEF), there was a reduction in both groups
between T0 and T3 that was significant in the OSF cell cul-
tures (p<0.05).
Conclusions: These results suggest that despite the pres-
ence of the viral DNA in the orf lesions at 5 days post-treat-
ment, this may belong to inactivated virus as the viral load
obtained after cell culture of the samples of the treated ani-
mals was significantly less than that obtained from controls.
These findings suggest that as treatment of orf lesions with Tri-
Solfen® reduces the viral load present in lesions, such thera-
py may also alter the clinical progression and transmission in
outbreaks of Contagious Ecthyma.
Keywords: Sheep, orf virus, topical anaesthetic formula-
tion, viral load.
SR-22
Clinico-serological and molecular study of peste des petits
ruminants in sheep and goats in Al Muthanna province/
Iraq
Karima Al Salihi.
Al Muthanna university, Samawah, Iraq.
Objectives: This study intends to investigate the peste
des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) infection in sheep and goat
using Clinico-serological and molecular tools in Al Muthanna
province/ Iraq.
Materials and Methods: In October 2017 outbreak was
occurred in sheep and goats in Al Muthanna province/ Iraq.
There were obvious deaths both in young and adult sheep
and goats during the period extended from October/ 2017 to
March 2018. According to the case history, clinical symptoms,
and post-mortem investigations, the PPR virus was accused.
Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein of totally
75 animals of the infected flocks (50 sick and 25 healthy an-
imals) using sterile vacutainer tubes (without anticoagulant),
and the serum was extracted after centrifugation and kept at
-20 O C deep freeze in the laboratory until the test is conducted.
Competitive Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ( C-ELI-
SA) was down to detect the presence of antibodies against
PPRV. Mouth swabs ( epithelial tissue from the lesions) from
sick animals were collected, kept in a frozen box, and sent to
the laboratory. RNA was extracted from all samples according
to the instructions using the RNeasy_ Mini Kit ( Qiagen, Ger-
many). The extracted RNA was kept at (- 120 O C ) until ampli-
fication procedures. Later on, the RNA samples were used for
cDNA synthesis, and specific two sets of primers were used
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Small Ruminants
for the detection of PPRV fusion (F) gene and nucleocapsid
(N) gene.
Results: Typical clinical signs of PPRV have obliviously
appeared on the sick animals including fever, loss of appetite,
marked depression, erosive stomatitis, ocular catarrhal inflam-
mation, profuse diarrhea. Some cases revealed fetid& blood-
stained and respiratory signs that included nasal mucous
discharge, different stages of bronchopneumonia and mouth
breathing and erosions of the nasal cavity. The post-mortem
examination of few numbers of dead animals showed con-
gested trachea, red lung hepatization with area firm to touch,
particularly in the cardiac and anterior lobes and enlargement
of pulmonary and mesenteric lymph nodes accompanied with
congestion of small intestinal mucosa. The serological test
shows positive results in 90 % (45 out 50) and 48 % (12 out
of 25) of sick and healthy animals respectively. The results
of molecular analysis revealed 10 positive samples for PPRV,
and 7 F genes (PPRV/ Al Muthanna / 2017) were genetical-
ly close to the (PPR \ Kurdistan 2012), (KF478924) and (JF
274480) strain previously determined in Kurdistan/ Iraq, Tur-
key and Egypt respectively with homogeneity reached to 95%
nucleotide sequence. Moreover, three samples were geneti-
cally identical for the N gene of %100 (PPR \ Kurdistan 2012),
%99 (DQ840197), %99 ( FJ 795511), and %97 (DQ 840190)
strain from Kurdistan/ Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Emirate and Israel
respectively.
Conclusions: In conclusion, PPRV was diagnosed in
small ruminants in Al Muthanna province, and the diagnosis
was done according to clinical sings & post-mortem examina-
tion and confirmed by serological C-ELISA test and RT-PCR
molecular technique. Moreover, the results of the molecular
technique revealed the close genetic relationship between
local PPRV strain and strains isolated previously from neigh-
boring countries. Another molecular epidemiological study is
recommended by the author to determine the origin of PPRV
in Iraq.
Keywords: Peste des petits, Sheep, Molecular , Iraq.
SR-23
Use of thermography for the diagnosis of chronic
proliferative rhinitis in sheep and for the differential
diagnosis of the first case affecting the dorsal tubinate
Aude Levacher, Carmen Ceresuela, Silvia López-Tamayo, Juan Pedro
Bueso, Oiane Alzulguren, Ana Rodríguez, Luis Figueras, Luis Miguel
Ferrer.
Facultad de Veterinaria de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.
Introduction: Chronic proliferative rhinitis (CPR) is an
upper respiratory tract disease that affects sheep and is as-
sociated with Salmonella enterica subsp. diarizonae serotype
61:k:1:5:(7). It may be unilateral or bilateral, and, although mi-
nor changes have been seen in dorsal turbinate, the ventral
nasal turbinate is always affected, which makes it possible to
observe the proliferative tissue emerging from the nostril.
In the following case it is described the use of a thermal
397
ORAL — Small Ruminants
imaging camera in the diagnosis of an atypical case of chron-
ic proliferative rhinitis in sheep. Contrary to what is normally
observed, this time the dorsal turbinate and ethmoidal area
where mainly affected.
Materials and methods: The Small Ruminant Clinical Ser-
vice of the Veterinary Faculty of Zaragoza, Spain, (SCRUM)
received, in 2018, a Lacaune ewe with severe upper respirato-
ry tract clinical signs. The 3-year-old female presented a very
low body condition, despite no loss of appetite, and extreme
weakness. The ewe also showed bilateral seromucous nasal
discharge, an upper airway snoring and inspiratory dyspnea.
Moreover, a nasal deformation in the middle area of the nose
was clearly present.
In order to obtain more information, further complementary
imaging techniques such as thermography, x rays and com-
puted tomography scanner (CT) were carried out.
Results: Thermography revealed an increase in the tem-
perature of both nasal cavities, corresponding to the difficulty
of the cold air passing through, and a hottest area in the mid-
dle part of the nose, which corresponded with the area of the
swollen dorsal turbinate. Thereafter, CT of the cranial region
enabled us to obtain a clear image of the damaged tissue,
showing the increase in size of swollen dorsal turbinate and
the partially affected ethmoidal area. Along with these, two lat-
eral radiographic projections were made, one on each side of
the affected area, and an increased opacity was observed in-
side the dorsal nose chamber. All this images were compatible
with chronic proliferative rhinitis although affecting, for the first
time in such a strong extent, the dorsal nasal turbinate and the
ethmoidal area.
After the death of the animal, a post-mortem examination
was performed. When sectioning the head sagittally, an in-
flammation of the ventral and dorsal nasal turbinates of both
nasal cavities were observed. When the dorsal turbinate from
the right side was removed, different polypoid formations
could be observed.
Histopathological study of the swollen turbinates revealed
a thickened nasal mucosa and an epithelium composed of
several layers of disorganized epithelial cells. All the tissue
presented a chronic inflammation. The lamina propia was
expanded and densely infiltrated by plasma cells and a few
macrophages. The intracellular presence of the bacteria in the
epithelium and the lamina propia was also confirmed by immu-
nohistochemistry of the affected tissue.
Both the microbiological (culture) and molecular (qPCR)
study of the samples taken from the affected tissue of both tur-
binates revealed a massive presence of Salmonella enterica
subsp. diarizonae, which was typified as serovar 61:k:1,5,(7).
Discussion/conclusions (literature; acknoledgments):
Chronic proliferative rhinitis is becoming a more commonly di-
agnosed disease, not only in Spain, but also in other countries
in Europe and America. To date, in all the descriptions made
of this disease the ventral turbinate was always affected unilat-
erally or bilaterally and only minor changes were observed in
dorsal turbinate or ethmoidal area. In the case here reported, a
detailed description is made of the condition of the dorsal and
partially ethmoidal turbinate, showing how this bacterium can
deepen the respiratory tract, affecting more seriously internal
structures.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
398
The use of thermography, a cheap and handle diagnostic
imaging technique, can be very helpful to locate the affected
area, thereby facilitating clinical diagnosis of upper respirato-
ry tract diseases of sheep, especially at the beginning of the
process.
Keywords: Chronic, proliferative, rhinitis, thermography,
dorsal.
SR-24
Vaccination against ovine footrot in lactating ewes has only
a transient effect on milk production
Gaëlle Porcheron1, Frédéric Leboeuf2, Raphaël Jaquet3, Guillaume
Vautrain4, Julien Visse4, Geert Vertenten5.
1
CEBIPHAR, Fondettes, France; 2MSD Santé Animal, Beaucouzé,
France; 3Veterinary Practitioner, Andouillé, France; 4Clinique
Vétérinaire Velvet, Lacaune, France; 5MSD Animal Health, Boxmeer,
Netherlands.
Objectives: A multivalent inactivated vaccine against
ovine footrot (Footvax®, MSD Animal Health) is indicated for
the active immunization of sheep against footrot caused by
Dichelobacter nodosus. The need of a non-restrictive claim on
lactating ewes becomes obvious to reduce the use of antibi-
otics, to avoid milk discard in relationship with milk antibiotic
residues and to avoid footrot related discomfort.
The aim of the study was to assess the immediate impact
on milk production of vaccination against footrot in lactating
ewes.
Materials & Methods: Forty-four lactating ewes were in-
cluded and randomised (milk production) in one farm with no
history of footrot. Twenty-two ewes were vaccinated subcuta-
neously with the inactivated multivalent footrot vaccine (Foot-
vax®, MSD Animal Health) on D0 and D28 and twenty-two
received a saline solution (negative control or NaCl group) on
the same days. During the period following the vaccine injec-
tions, the milk production was individually measured daily for
42 days after the first injection.
Results: First administration of the vaccine (D0):
Cumulative milk yield by ewe (L/Ewe) was 2.9% lower in
the vaccinated group (38.6 ± 4.9 L and 39.8 ± 6.1 L respective-
ly) from 0 to 14 days after vaccination. Moreover, both groups
showed similar time curve of mean milk yield during the first 2
days after product administration. After that, the average daily
milk yield in the vaccinated group was slightly below the aver-
age daily milk yield in the NaCl group until 12 days after vacci-
nation when milk production was recovered in the vaccinated
group compared to the NaCl group.
Second administration of the vaccine (D28):
Time curve of mean milk yield per ewe in the vaccinated
group decreased sharply the day after product administration
until D31 (i.e. 3 days after vaccination) compared to the curve
in the NaCl group. There was a significant decrease in milk
yield of 8.8% in the vaccinated group compared to the NaCl
group from D28 till D42. The milk yield in the vaccinated group

increased to the same yield of the NaCl group from D32 to
D39, demonstrating once again that vaccination led only to
transient milk reduction and was fully recovered 11 days after
vaccination.
The second vaccination can be considered as a worst-
case safety scenario which will in veterinary field practice not
that often occur in lactating ewes, because the basic repeated
vaccination schedule is normally given to lambs at a younger
age.
Conclusion: Vaccination against ovine footrot (Footvax®,
MSD Animal Health) in lactating ewes led to a transient and
slight decrease in milk production of 2.9 %, which recovered
around 11 days after the first administration. From this, it is
clear that the milk loss due to vaccination is very moderate
compared to potential footrot related negative consequences
such as economic impact, extra antimicrobial use and extra
labour.
Keywords: Ovine footrot, vaccination, lactation, transient
effect, anti microbial reduction.
SR-25
The impact of veterinarian-farmer engagement on sheep
lameness: a clinical impressions study
Alexandra Ashworth, Rebecca Cole, Hannah Mckerrow, Bridget
Girvan, Liz Cresswell.
MSD Animal Health, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom.
Objectives: The objective of the study was to encourage
vets and farmers to engage with reducing sheep lameness in
UK flocks and to increase implementation of the ‘Five Point
Plan’ (developed by Food Animal Initiative farms in 2014 and
adopted as the UK national strategy for tackling lameness in
sheep).
Materials & Methods: Between January and June 2020
veterinary practices across the UK were approached by con-
venience sampling to assess interest in participation in a clin-
ical impressions study. Veterinarians were required to carry
out a visit to each enrolled farm to work through the Five Point
Plan and identify measures which could be taken to reduce
lameness on an individual flock basis. A veterinary assess-
ment of lameness prevalence was undertaken and where pos-
sible, farm medicine and treatment records consulted to estab-
lish antibiotic usage. Individual flock-level data were retained
by the veterinarian to maintain confidentiality. The participating
farms were provided with a primary course of Dichelobacter
nodosus vaccine (Footvax®, MSD Animal Health) to be ad-
ministered to each animal in the flock. A subsequent visit was
carried out by the veterinarian 6-9 months later to reassess
lameness, and medicine and treatment records. An anony-
mised questionnaire was distributed to all participants to gain
feedback on farmer perceptions of the impact of the study on
lameness in their flocks.
Results: Twenty-seven veterinary practices were recruit-
ed. Veterinarians from these practices enrolled a total of 70
farms. Average flock size was 630 with a range from 60 to
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
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2300 breeding ewes. In total 44,000 sheep were vaccinated.
During the 6-9 months of the study, this targeted approach
more than halved average flock lameness from 13% (range
3-40%) to 5% (range 1-15%). This is compared to a nation-
al reduction in lameness prevalence over 17 years from 11%
(2004) to 3.2% (2021). Among the participating farmers, 33%
were previously unaware of the Five Point Plan, while 54%
considered there were difficulties in implementing parts of the
Five Point Plan on their farm.
The majority of participating farmers (97%) said they found
the project and subsequent veterinary engagement useful and
95% said they would continue to implement the Five Point
Plan. Moreover, 82% of farmers stated that they would contin-
ue to vaccinate their sheep against footrot.
Conclusion: Significant gains can be made in a short pe-
riod of time with concentrated focus between vet and farmer
on lameness in sheep flocks. The Five Point Plan has been
demonstrated to be a highly effective way in which to reduce
lameness and this study demonstrates that farmers value vet-
erinary engagement in this area. It highlights a simple, sig-
nificant opportunity for veterinarian-farmer engagement to in-
crease the use of the Five Point Plan and reduce lameness on
sheep farms.
Keywords: Sheep, lameness, footrot, vaccination.
SR-29
Cost-benefit analysis of ultrasonographic pregnancy
diagnosis in dairy ewes in Greece: a simulation study.
Georgios E. Valergakis, Panagiota Kazana, Sofia-Afroditi Termat-
zidou, Aikaterini Soufleri, Nektarios Siachos, Georgios Arsenos,
Alexandros Kougioumtzis.
Laboratory of Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,
School of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124
Thessaloniki, Greece, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Objectives: Ultrasonography is widely used for pregnan-
cy diagnosis in sheep; however, in order to be cost-effective,
pre-lambing feeding strategies must be accordingly adapted.
The objective of this study was to perform a cost-benefit anal-
ysis of ultrasonographic pregnancy diagnosis (UPD) in dairy
ewes in Greece, based on different fertility outcomes and
feeding management strategies.
Materials and Methods: This simulation study was based
on available local milk recording schemes’ data. For 100 ewes
entering the milking period and after accounting for barren
ones, abortion during the last 2.5 months of gestation, losses
at lambing and ewe culling at the end of the lamb-rearing peri-
od due to mastitis and low milk production, a flock size of 120
ewes at the beginning of the breeding period was considered.
The 2.5-month breeding period was divided in 4 successive
conception sub-periods (CSP), each lasting 17 days. Fertility
outcomes included 2 levels of barren ewes (5% and 10%) and
3 conception patterns in respective CSPs: a) early (E: 82.5%-
17.5%-0.0%-0.0%), medium (M: 51.0%-41.0%-8.0%-0.0%)
and delayed (D: 25.0%-35.0%-28.0%-12.0%). For the simula-
399
ORAL — Small Ruminants
tion, UPD was performed twice, 45 days after the start of the
breeding season and 30 days after its end; pregnancy status
and number of fetuses would therefore be established for all
ewes. At the first UPD visit, all ewes would be examined while
at the second one, only those previously found empty or dubi-
ous (10% of positives). Each UPD visit was charged 20€ plus
0.75€ per ewe examined, resulting in total expenses of 140€,
155€ and 180€, for the 3 conception patterns, respectively.
Barren ewes were removed from the simulated flocks immedi-
ately after the second UPD visit and no feed was allocated to
them thereafter, nor any expense on preventive health man-
agement (vaccinations, treatments for parasites etc; 1.5€ per
ewe) was considered. Pregnant ewes of all fertility outcomes
were virtually allocated in either 2 or 3 feeding groups. When
allocated in 2 groups, and for the 3 conception patterns, these
consisted of: a) E, ewes conceiving at the first and second
CSP, b) M, ewes conceiving at the first and second+third CSP
and c) D, ewes conceiving at the fisrt+second and third+fourth
CSP. When allocated in 3 groups: a) E, ewes conceiving at
the first CSP bearing a single lamb, those conceiving at the
first CSP bearing twin lambs and those conceiving at the sec-
ond CSP, b) M, ewes conceiving at the first, second and third
CSP, and c) D, ewes conceiving at the fisrt+second, third and
fourth CSP. The feeding plan included a maintenance period
(starting from the second UPD until 6 weeks before presumed
lambing), and a 3-period step-up pre-lambing program each
lasting 2 weeks as proposed by INRA-2019. Rations were
formulated according to INRA-2019 recommendations using
alfalfa hay, wheat straw, corn grain, wheat bran, soybean meal
and a mineral/vitamin supplement. Cost of maintenance, step-
1, step-2 and step-3 rations (for ewes carrying twin lambs)
were 0.24, 0.29, 0.36 and 0.44€, per ewe per day, respec-
tively. For conception pattern E, cost for single-lamb carrying
ewes were 0.29, 0.33 and 0.39€, for step-1, step-2 and step-3
rations, respectively.
When combining CSPs, feeding of step-3 ration started
with the earliest lambing ewes and lasted until the end of this
sub-group’s lambing period. All the above fertility scenarios
were compared to identical ones with no UPD and no cull-
ing of barren ewes; the start of the 3-period step-up feeding
program for all ewes was based on the starting date of the
breeding period and the step-3 ration was fed to all ewes until
they lambed. Costs were calculated accordingly. Results are
reported as differences per 100 ewes between UPD and no
pregnancy diagnosis scenarios.
Results: Net benefit of UPD for the E pattern with 2 feed-
ing management groups was 200€ and 480€, for 5% and 10%
barren ewes, respectively. Forming 3 groups would increase
benefit to 240€ and 530€, respectively. For conception pat-
tern M, net benefit was 300€/580€ and 330€/610€, respective-
ly. For conception pattern D, net benefit was 240€/460€ and
510€/760€, respectively.
Conclusion: Ultrasonographic pregnancy diagnosis is
cost-effective when results are used to adapt grouping and
feeding management. When conception is delayed, the forma-
tion of 3 feeding groups is highly recommended.
Keywords: Ultrasonography, pregnancy diagnosis, sheep.
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400
SR-30
Surgical treatment of abomasal impaction in goat
Ana Paula Abreu Mendonça, Leticia Hirata Mendes, José Ricardo
Barboza Silva, Nathalia Cardoso De Sousa, Lucas Vinícius De Oliveira
Ferreira, Juliana De Moura Alonso, Carlos Alberto Hussni, Ana Liz
Garcia Alves, Marcos Jun Watanabe, Celso Antonio Rodrigues.
School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State
University - FMVZ - UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil, Brazil.
Information about disorders of abomasum in goats are
scarce and the aim of this report is to describe the success
of abomasotomy as a treatment of abomasal impaction in a
goat. An 8-month-old goat weighing 33kg was referred to the
School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science - UNESP,
Brazil with an apathy and decreased appetite four days ago.
According to clinical history, the diet consisted of crushed hay
ad libitum and 300g of ration bran. Clinical examination re-
vealed apathy, pale mucous membranes, ruminal hypomotility,
reduced faecal output, tense abdomen with distension of the
ventral quadrants and loss of ruminal stratification. Increased
chloride ion concentration (67 mEq/L) evidenced by rumen
fluid analysis was indicative of abomasum-ruminal reflux and
as well as compatible with the observed metabolic acidosis.
Transabdominal ultrasonography revealed dense hyperecho-
ic content in ventral field of the left abdomen corresponding
to the location of all abomasum, thus suggest an abomasal
impaction. The animal underwent exploratory laparotomy by
the left flank, which revealed an empty rumen, distended and
compacted abomasum occupying much of the abdominal cav-
ity. In contrast to the treatments described, by severe disten-
sion of abomasum, we opted for an abomasotomy followed
by emptying of the viscera, removing about 7 kg of the digest.
In addition to constant monitoring, antimicrobial medication
with ceftiofur (5mg/kg; IV once daily; six days) associated with
gentamicin (6.6mg/kg; IV; once daily; six days) and analgesic
with flunixin meglumine (2.2mg/kg; IV; once daily; four days)
was performed postoperatively vitamin B1 (2mL; SC; once
daily; five days), dexamethasone (0.2mg/kg; IV; once daily;
two days), transfaunation and calcium replacement for six
days. Furthermore, was performed the prokinetic to stimulate
abomasal emptying like bromopride (20mg; IM; three times a
day; three days), metoclopramide (0.2mg/kg; SC; three times
a day; two days), and promethazine (0.5mg/kg; IM; twice daily;
four days). Although the goat defecated normally on the sec-
ond postoperative day, abomasal emptying remained reduced
to auscultation. Thus, with clinical suspicion of posterior func-
tional stenosis, the atropine test and radiographic examination
of the thorax and abdomen were performed, and they revealed
no changes. After 14 days after surgery, the goat no longer
presented abomasal motility changes, being discharged with
recommendations to provide good quality food and water. The
abomasotomy associated with viscera emptying and support-
ive therapy resulted in the successful treatment of a goat af-
fected by abomasal impaction in the present study.
Keywords: Abomasotomy, abomasal disorder, small
ruminant.

SR-31
Obstructive rhinopathy associated with chronic
pithomycotoxicosis in sheep
Marina Pomar1, Clara Aguado1, Helena Bertran1, Laia Del Olmo1,
Pablo Quílez1, Sixena Villellas1, Ane Rivas2, Ane Garziandia3, Raúl
A. Reséndiz1, Enrique Castells4, Vicente González5, Marcelo De Las
Heras1.
1
Facultad de Veterinaria Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain;
2
Veterinary Practitioner, Basque Country, Spain; 3Gomiztegi koop,
Basque Country, Spain; 4Centro Clínico Veterinario, Zaragoza, Spain;
5
Centro de Investigación y Tecnología Agroalimentaria de Aragón,
Zaragoza, Spain.
Objective: Two sheep were received at the Clinical Ser-
vice of Ruminants of the University of Zaragoza (SCRUM) with
respiratory and dermatologic clinical signs. A complete clinical
examination was performed, emphasising the respiratory tract
and skin lesions to arrive at a final diagnosis.
The practitioners reported that most of the flock animals
presented upper tract respiratory clinical signs.
The objective of this work is the clinical and aetiological
study of a case characterised by an inspiratory dyspnea,
which affected a herd kept in an extensive regime, located in
the north of Spain.
Materials and methods: The sheep came from a dairy
farm located in Anzuela, Basque Country, and were reared in
an extensive production system, grazing most of the year, ex-
cept the winter months.
After their arrival at the SCRUM, the protocol was as fol-
lows: clinical examination, highlighting in detail the signs or
lesions presented by the animal, haematology, biochemistry,
computed tomography and postmortem examination.
Result: The animals showed inspiratory dyspnea with a
characteristic respiratory noise, had bilateral serous nasal dis-
charge and an enlarged submandibular lymph nodes. In one
of the animals, different skin lesions with alopecias and scabs
in the dorsal area of the face, eyelids and ears were noticed.
Blood biochemistry showed an elevation in gamma-glutamyl
transferase, alanine aminotransferase, and lipase.
The computerised tomography scan revealed an increase
of the soft tissue on the rostral part with variable degrees
of obstruction of the meatuses of the nasal cavities in both
sheep. Both nasal cavities were generally blocked with differ-
ent degrees of severity. Intravenous injection of contrast did
not result in the differentiation enhancement.
Necropsy detected intense liver atrophy and fibrosis asso-
ciated with chronic pithomycotoxicosis in the studied sheep.
It confirmed slight elevations and roughness on the alar folds
and close nasal areas in all sheep. Histopathology of the na-
sal lesions using histochemical and immunohistochemical
techniques to study connective tissue, identified moderate to
severe arteriosclerosis in the small arteries investigated with
fibrosis and oedema. These lesions were similar to the ones
described in blood vessels of the liver in chronic pithomycotox-
icosis and our cases. The results of this study suggest a direct
action of the sporidesmin on this area of the nasal cavity.
Conclusions: The clinical and postmortem findings sug-
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Small Ruminants
gest that both lesions, respiratory and dermatologic, were
caused by the sporidesmin produced by the fungus Pithomy-
ces chartarum. Pithomycotoxicosis (facial eczema) has been
well studied as a seasonal hepatogenous photosensitisation
of sheep caused by the ingestion of sporidesmin contained in
the spores of the fungus Pithomyces chartarum. However, to
the knowledge of the authors, respiratory clinical signs have
not been reported to date associated with this disease.
Keywords: Sheep, pithomycotoxicosis, facial eczema.
SR-32
The Effects of Oxytocin and PGF2α Injections on Semen
Quality and Libido in Buck
Cigdem Cebi Sen1, Koray Tekin2, Beste Cil2, Ergun Akcay2.
1
Dep. of Reproduction and Artificial Insemination, Faculty of
Veterinary Medicine University of Harran, Şanliurfa, Turkey, Sanliurfa,
Turkey; 2Dep. of Reproduction and Artificial Insemination, Faculty of
Veterinary Medicine University of Ankara, Ankara, Turkey.
Objectives: The use of assisted reproductive techniques
in goat breeding provides additional advantages for cryopres-
ervation and artificial insemination. In some cases, certain an-
imals constantly have a high libido and good semen quality for
evaluation, freezing or insemination, while others are reluctant
for collection and have low quality ejaculates with decreased
volume and concentration or other inadequate spermatologi-
cal characteristics. During the last decades, specific hormones
(oxytocin, prostaglandins, testosterone and GnRH) were in-
troduced to increase the sperm output, quality of male-related
reproductive deficiencies and to regulate the breeding activity.
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of
exogenous oxytocin and PGF2α on seminal quality and libido
sexualis in bucks.
Materials and methods: This study was conducted ac-
cording to ethical laws and regulation of Ankara university
animal experiments local ethics committee. 20 Norduz bucks
(3-4 years of age) were barned at Research Farm of Anka-
ra University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (40°05’53.5”N
32°37’19.6”E). The bucks were maintained under the constant
nutritional regime and with water ad libitum. To investigate the
role of these hormones on male fertility, semen samples from
20 Norduz bucks (3-4 years of age) were collected with an
artificial vagina twice a week with five replications in breeding
season. Bucks were randomly assigned to five groups, control
group was administered with 2 mL of sodium chloride, 0.9%
(w/v)) i.m., whilst the experimental groups were administered
with oxytocin 10 IU, i.v. (Group 1, n = 5), oxytocin 20 IU, i.v.
(Group 2, n = 5), PGF2α 5 mg, i.m. (Group 3, n = 5) or PGF2α
10 mg, i.m. (Group 4, n = 5) 20 min before each collection. The
behavioural signs of libido (leg kicking, sniffing, vocalization,
flehmen reaction, mounting without thrust and mounting with
ejaculation) were recorded as the total score for libido. Semen
volume, total sperm motility, sperm concentration, sperm mor-
phology, membrane integrity and pH were recorded.
Results: According to obtained results, there was not any
401
ORAL — Small Ruminants

statistical difference between the dosage groups regarding attoir and cecum digesta was collected from 2 representative
motility. However, in terms of semen volume, concentration, lambs per pen. Data was analyzed using the MIXED proce-
abnormal spermatozoa rate, intact membrane rate, and libi- dure of SAS Studio (v3.81) with pen as the experimental unit,
do test, results were statistically significant among the differ- dose as fixed effect and block as random effect. Orthogonal
ent dose groups (P<0.05). Average semen volume of Group contrasts were included to test for linear and quadratic trends,
two (1.34±0.16 mL) was found significantly higher than other and control (dose 0) vs. HFCG (rest of the doses).
groups, whereas mean values of PGF2α groups (Group-3 and Results: There were no differences on final body weight or
Group-4) were found lower than control value (P<0.05). When average daily gain. Cecum digesta pH, dry matter content, and
the concentration was taken into account, Group two has ammonia concentration were not different among treatments.
statistically higher mean value than PGF2α groups. For ab- Butyrate and total VFAs molar concentrations  increased (22
normal spermatozoa rate, a significant increase in Group one and 10%, respectively; P ≤ 0.15) in HFCG-supplemented
was observed regarding other groups. A significant decrease lambs compared to controls. However, no differences in VFA
of mean intact membrane percentages was evident at Group concentrations were detected when normalized to dry matter
four comparing to group one. A significant increase in libido content.
evaluation scores for oxytocin groups (3.04±0.64; 3.2±0.5)
Conclusions: Overall, these results show signs of altered
was observed The bucks, which were administered PGF2α,
hindgut fermentation in response to HFCG supplementation.
were reluctant for mating and showed a decrease in libido.
We hypothesize that the application period was too short to
Thus, it might have enhanced hyperthermic and psychological
adequately detect differences in response to supplementation,
stress in animals. Therefore, the duration of ejaculation was
as it has been previously demonstrated that relatively long
longer in PGF2α groups than the other groups.
treatments (~56d) are necessary to influence hindgut ecolo-
Conclusions: In conclusion, administration of 20 IU oxy- gy and improve performance in beef and dairy cattle.
tocin twenty min before the semen collection have increased
Keywords: Gluconate, hindgut, ruminants.
both the semen volume and the concentration of spermatozoa
in bucks. Administration of oxytocin has increased the libido
although there were not any improvements in semen quality.
In contrast to oxytocin, PGF2α administration has led to a de-
crease of libido and has detrimental effects on semen quality.
We concluded that administration of oxytocin stimulates sexu-
al behaviour and performance in bucks.
Keywords: Buck, Libido, Oxytocin, PGF2α, Semen quality.

SR-33

Effects of hydrogenated fat-embedded calcium gluconate

on performance and intestinal parameters in growing
lambs
M.V. Sanz-Fernández1, I.P.C. De Carvalho1, D.J. Seymour1, J.M. Bello
Dronda2, J. Doelman1, J. Martín-Tereso1.
1
Trouw Nutrition, Amersfoort, Netherlands; 2Nanta, Tres Cantos,
Spain.

Introduction: Upon fermentation in the hindgut, the prebi-

otic gluconic acid and its salts have shown benefits on growth
in monogastric species, attributed to changes in fermentation
patterns and volatile fatty acid (VFA) production.
Objectives: The objective of the current study was to eval-
uate the effects of rumen-protected hydrogenated fat-embed-
ded calcium gluconate (HFCG) on performance and intestinal
parameters in a model of growing ruminants.
Materials and methods: A total of 300 male Rasa Ara-
gonesa feedlot lambs were enrolled in a dose response study
divided in 2 identical rounds. Within round, animals were
blocked by body weight at arrival (20.1 ± 2.0 Kg) and randomly
assigned to pens corresponding to 1 of 5 HFCG supplemen-
tation doses (0, 0.4, 0.75, 1.5, or 3 g/lamb/d). After 20 d of
supplementation, lambs were slaughtered at a commercial ab-

31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID

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SU-01
Lateral Approach to Subtotal Bulla Osteotomy and
Horizontal Ear Canal Ablation to ameliorate head tilt due
to Chronic Otitis Media attributed to  Mycoplasma bovis
infection
Mike Kerby.
Delaware Veterinary Group, Castle Cary, Somerset, United Kingdom.
Objective: Otitis media caused by Mycoplasma bovis in-
fection is well recognised in young calves in the UK and most
of the World (Foster et al., 2009 ) ,usually resulting in head tilt
which may not respond to antimicrobial therapy with or without
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID’s).This paper
describes a surgical approach to attempt amelioration of the
degree of head tilt in a pedigree Guernsey heifer and is be-
lieved to be the first such recorded in the UK.
Materials and Method: A 5 month-old Guernsey heif-
er with head tilt of 3 months’ duration was referred in early
February 2015 having been diagnosed with otitis media in
November 2014 when seroconversion to Mycoplasma bovis
was reportedly demonstrated by the referring veterinarian and
having undergone various antimicrobial treatments with and
without NSAID’s.
On initial examination, the degree of head tilt to the hor-
izontal was approximately 75 degrees to the right. Otosco-
py revealed a ruptured tympanic membrane.Radiographs
showed an increased density within the right tympanic bulla
but no abnormalities in the cervical vertebrae.
A lateral approach to subtotal bulla osteotomy (adapted
from a technique described in dogs by Smeak and Inpan-
butr,2005) along with horizontal ear canal ablation was per-
formed under general anaesthesia.
Induction was with Xylazine (0.2 mg/kg Rompun, Bayer
plc) and Ketamine (0 mg/kg. Narketan, Vetoquinol UK Ltd.
followed by intubation and maintenance with Oxygen and
Isoflurane (Merial Animal Health Ltd.).The right auriculo-pal-
pebral nerve was anaesthetised pre-operatively with Procaine
Hydrochloride (Adrenacaine, Norbrook) . Flunixin meglumine
was given intravenously (2.2 mg/kg, Cronyxin , Bimeda).
The horizontal ear canal cartilage was identified by pal-
pation and a 15 cm incision made in a dorso-ventral direc-
tion caudal to the base of the ear.This cartilaginous ear canal
was dissected out - care was taken to avoid the Facial Nerve
emerging from the Stylomastoid Foramen located ventral to
the mastoid process sited at 11 o’clock relative to the osse-
ous ear canal (the stylomastoid foramen is separated from the
External Auditory Meatus (EAM) by a distinct,readily palpable,
sharp bony ridge along the caudal edge of the EAM ).
Blunt dissection of the soft tissue was performed from the
lateral and ventral aspects of the Tympanic Bulla with eleva-
tors.The ventro-lateral floor of the osseous EAM was then re-
moved using rongeurs; the soft tissue lining of the EAM was
teased from the osseous EAM compartment ; bone removal
was continued ventrally into the ventral tympanic cavity.
The area where the Facial Nerve runs was protected and
the palpable sharp bony ridge removed at the caudal edge of
the osseous ear canal followed by continued bone removal on
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Surgery
the caudolateral aspect of the Tympanic Bulla.The interior of
the Tympanic Cavity was then visualised with a dark green-
brown coloured membranous lining (it is transparent in the
normal state ).
Curettage of the thickened diseased membranous lining
of the tympanic bulla was performed ( particularly difficult off
the medial wall) and an in-dwelling fenestrated cannula and
Penrose drain inserted within the Tympanic Cavity, the former
exiting through the skin rostro-dorsal to the incision site at the
ear pinna level and the latter exiting vental to the incision site .
Post-operative treatment comprised twice daily 1% povi-
done-iodine solution flushing for 4 days, 6 days NSAID’s[ 2.2
mg/kg Flunixin meglumine daily for 3 days(Cronyxin, Bimeda
) then 0.5 mg/kg Meloxicam (Metacam, Boehringer Ingelheim
Ltd.) on day4 after surgery ] and 10 days antimicrobial cover
[ 8.75 mg/kg amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (Synulox RTU, Zoetis
UK Ltd. )].
The irrigation cannula was removed on day 5 post-oper-
atively and the Penrose drain on day 7 (when no further fluid
was draining ).
Results: On the day of discharge (Day 13 post surgery)
the degree of head tilt had reduced to approx. 25 degrees and
6 weeks post-operatively was 15 degrees ( reported by the
referring veterinarian) and 10 degrees by August 2015.
Conclusion: This procedure can be considered as a via-
ble option to correct major head tilt deviation in cases due to
chronic otitis media.
References:
Foster,A.P.,Naylor, R.D.,Howie, N.M., Nicholas,R.A.,Ay-
ling,R.D. (2009) Mycoplasma bovis and otitis in dairy calves in
the UK Vet.J. 179 (3):455-457.
Smeak D.D. and Inpanbutr N. (2005) Lateral Approach to
Subtotal Bulla Osteotomy in Dogs. Compendium pp 377-384.
Keywords: Head tilt correction, Mycoplasma bovis.
SU-02
Association between hyperglycemia and survival in adult
cattle affected by acute gastro-intestinal disorders
Isabella Nicola, André Desrochers, Sylvain Nichols, David Francoz,
Marie Babkine, Julie Berman, Gilles Fecteau.
Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Canada.
Objective: To evaluate the association between glycemia
and short-term outcome in adult cattle with acute gastro-intes-
tinal disorders (AGID).
Material and methods: We reviewed medical record of
adult dairy and beef cattle (> 24 months), presented to the
Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the Université de Montréal
between January 1st, 2015 and December 31st, 2019 and
diagnosed with an AGID. The type and diagnosis of the AGID
(strangulating, non-strangulating and haemorrhagic bowel
syndrome (HBS)) were established based on the clinical
examination, the abdominal ultrasonography findings, the sur-
403
ORAL — Surgery
gery and/or the necropsy findings. All cattle with a serum bio-
chemistry profile, including glycemia, performed at admission
were included. Exclusion criteria were: cattle treated with dex-
trose, propylene glycol or dexamethasone prior to admission.
Glycemia, heart rate, packed cell volume, urea, creatinine,
total proteins, lactates and category of lesion (strangulating,
non-strangulating, HBS) were evaluated as possible predict-
ors for short-term outcome (discharge or not from the hospi-
tal) in a logistic regression model. The association between
category of lesions and clinical as well as laboratory findings
was evaluated with a general linear model followed by Tukey’s
post-hoc tests. P was set at 0.05.
Results: Overall, 197 records were evaluated and 112
were selected. Median (interquartile range (IQR)) values of
glycemia for animals with positive (79%) and negative out-
come (21%) were 6.7 mmol/L (IQR: 5.3-9.3) and 8.15 mmol/L
(IQR: 6.6-10.7), respectively. Median values of glycemia for
animal with strangulating (26%), non-strangulating (59%) and
HBS lesions (15%) were 7.4 mmol/L (IQR: 5.8-9.3); 6.65 mmol-
/l (IQR: 5.3-9.3) and 8.8 mmol/L (IQR: 7.3-10.7), respectively.
Glycemia was associated with non-survival in the univariable
analysis (OR 1.16; 95% CI: 1.035, 1.30, p < 0.05), but not in
the multivariable analysis. In the multivariable analysis, only
decreased total proteins (OR 0.94; 95% CI: 0.89, 0.99), in-
creased creatinine (OR 1.01; 95%CI: 1.001; 1.017) and cat-
egory of lesions (HBS OR 1.56 compared to strangulating le-
sions 95% CI: 1.12, 19.96) were associated with non-survival
(p < 0.05). Interestingly, urea and glycemia were significantly
higher with HBS compared to non-strangulating lesions (p <
0.05). Urea was significantly higher with HBS compared with
strangulating lesions (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Glycemia is an easily obtainable parameter
in field setting. It was not a predictor for short-term survival
in our study. However, glycemia was increased in cases with
a negative outcome and specifically for HBS. Further pro-
spective studies are needed in order to elucidate the valid-
ity of glycemia as a prognostic tool in different type of acute
gastro-intestinal disorders.
Keywords: Hyperglycemia, gastro-intestinal disorders,
surgery, haemorrhagic bowel syndrome, cattle.
SU-03
Perineoplastic surgery for the treatment of pneumovagina
in dairy cows
Jacek Mrowiec1, Dawid Król2, Oskar Pietrasina3.
1
Hipra Polska Sp. z o. o., Warszawa, Poland; 2Wroclaw University of
Environmental and Life Sciences, Wrocław, Poland; 3Ovet, Koźmin
Wielkopolski, Poland.
Objectives: The infertility associated with anatomical dis-
orders seems to be greatly underestimated in bovine medi-
cine. The genital tracts injuries and scars are the main source
of anatomical and physiological dysfunction often caused by
peri-calving disturbances. Pneumovagina is a condition asso-
ciated with air aspiration into vagina, usually caused by the
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
404
leakiness of vulva. It could lead to excessive starching of va-
gina, accumulation of urine and mucosal irritation conducted
chronical inflammation of genital track causing infertility. Sur-
gery targeted on restoration of labial closure could be an effec-
tive method of pneumovagina treatment.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of peri-
neoplastic surgery as a method of treatment of pneumovagina
in dairy cows.
Materials and methods: The study was performed be-
tween November 2018 to February 2020 in two regions of
Poland in 36 family farms on 60 dairy cows with diagnosed
pneumovagina. Before every surgery, rectal palpation and ul-
trasound examination of genital track were performed to ex-
clude other pathologies than pneumovagina. In the presence
of pathological discharge together with pneumovagina, intra-
uterine antibiotic infusion (gentamycine, 20 mg/animal) was
performed before operation. Premedication before surgery
was performed with xylazine (2 mg / 100 kg of body weight
(BW)) and epidural anesthesia with procaine (20 mg / 100
kg BW). The incision was carried out at the border between
the skin and mucous membrane of the labia from the dorsal
symphysis to the bottom of the designated area. Then muco-
sa and submucosal tissue were prepared to create the vault
limiting new, reduced labial closure. In simply case there was
no tissue removal. In more complicated cases, scar tissue
was resected and labial structure was reconstructed. Then,
the dissected tissues were sutured with three layers of sutures
with absorbable PGA monofilament USP 2. The first layer was
made with Lambert's or Cushing’s suture to connect the vulva
mucosa. The second one was joined with a straight or inter-
rupted suture. The skin was connected with an intradermal su-
ture. At least a two-week recovery period was recommended
after surgery before insemination.
Results: By the end of February 2020, pregnancy was
confirmed in 41 out of 60 operated cows (68 %). In 19 patients
(46 % of pregnant cows), the first artificial insemination (AI) af-
ter the procedure was successful, in some cases two, three or
four AIs were necessary. There was no postoperative compli-
cation as extended healing, oedema or abscesses. Among all
cows already delivered in 4 cases there was a vulvar rupture
during parturition following perineoplastic surgery.
Conclusions: Perineoplastic surgery is an effective meth-
od of pneumovagina treatment in dairy cows. It allows to re-
store labial closure without creating large scar limiting vulvar
elasticity.
Keywords: Pneumovagina, surgery, bovine.
SU-04
Teat lesions – Retrospective data evaluation of 116 German
Holstein Cows – Case collection of the Clinic for Ruminants
and Swine Leipzig
Kaiser Matthias, Starke Alexander.
Clinic for Ruminants and Swine, Leipzig, Germany.
 ORAL — Surgery

Objective: The management and treatment of teat inju-

ries represent major challenges in modern dairy farming. The
objective of this study was to create guidelines for practicing
veterinarians for the treatment and management based on the
evaluation of a large data set.
Materials and Methods: The data from patients from the
Clinic for Ruminants and Swine were analysed in a retrospec-
tive study. The location and type of injury, initial and postoper-
ative medication and treatment and outcome were analysed.
Results: The teat canal was the most common location
of injuries (70.8%), and closed injuries (without an external
wound) were the most frequent type (59.8%). Of all teat canal
injuries, 54.2% were internal and did not involve the skin. Most
of these injuries were treated under theloscopic guidance di-
rectly after initial examination irrespective of concomitant dis-
orders, such as thelitis (except severe acute), cysternitis and
mastitis. The majority of treated teats (87.4%) had functional
healing and could be milked, 7.5% of injured teats were ampu-
tated and the remaining had functional healing after a second
surgery. After at least 700 days post-treatment, owners were
asked about the outcome. Fifty percent of the nonsurgically
treated cows and 21.5% of the surgically treated cows had
been slaughtered because of complications associated with
the treated teat or the corresponding quarter. High-volume
caudal epidural anaesthesia using xylazine provided adequate
analgesia during surgery. A tilt table was found to be very con-
venient and safe for both the cow and the surgeon and useful
for restraint of standing cows or cows in lateral recumbency.
Conclusion and Clinical Relevance: Teat injuries are com-
monly seen in dairy practice. A successful outcome can be
obtained when surgical or medical treatment is given promptly
and appropriate postoperative therapy and monitoring are car-
ried out.
Keywords: Cattle, Surgery, Udder, Pain management.

31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID

405
ORAL — Teaching and Continuing Education
TE-01
Use of a serious game in teaching bovine veterinarians
clinical communication skills: a pilot study
Linda Dorrestein1, Jolanda Jansen2, Tessa Plagis2, Caroline Ritter3,
Herman Barkema1.
Department of Production Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary
1
Medical Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada; 2St Anna
Advies, Nijmegen, Netherlands; 3Department of Health Management,
Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island,
Charlottetown, Canada.
Objectives: Effective communication can aid bovine
veterinarians in improving client relationships in herd health
consultancy, improving client satisfaction, adherence to veter-
inary advice and patient welfare and health. Communication
skills are often taught using traditional role-play training, which
has limitations, e.g., time constraints, assessments and cost.
The Veterinary DialogueTrainer (VDT) is a new tool mitigat-
ing these barriers. It is a serious game platform using ‘digit-
al role-play’ with avatars, developed to enhance and assess
learning outcomes, improve use of learned skills, and increase
cost-effectiveness of communication training. The objective of
this pilot study was to determine suitability and applicability for
using the VDT.
Materials and Methods: Twenty-four Finnish bovine vet-
erinarians participated in a communication training using the
VDT for training and assessment. After playing the simulation
participants received scores and feedback on selected con-
versation options. VDT scores measure multiple aspects of
communication on a 0-100% scale, based on motivational
interviewing methodology and Calgary-Cambridge guidelines.
Participants completed the provided simulation at least twice.
Results: Mean (±SD) number of attempts participants
played the scenario was 4.1 (±2.6), with highest total score
reached after a mean of 3.7 (±2.0) attempts. All participants
scored <50% at the first attempt of playing the scenario, where-
as most participants (n=22) increased their initial score at the
second attempt. Mean score increased from 15% (±14%) to
43% (±29%) (paired T-test, p < 0.001) and the majority (n=17)
of participants was able to reach a score >80% after 4.0 (±1.6)
attempts.
Conclusion: Communication skills scores increased
when using the VDT. Whether increased communication skills
measured through VDT will improve communication skills in
practice is subject of further study. However, based on these
results there is likely a benefit of using the VDT in teaching
and monitoring veterinary communication competencies and
preparing for offline role-plays and real-life conversations in
veterinary practice.
Keywords: Dairy cattle, veterinary communication, seri-
ous games, herd health management.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
406
TE-02
Veterinary student attitudes towards careers in the
production animal sector
Emily Payne, Kate Cobb, John Oldham, John Remnant.
University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, United Kingdom.
Objectives: Challenges with recruiting and retaining vet-
erinarians in rural and farm animal practice are widely report-
ed. The aim of this study was to identify the factors influencing
veterinary undergraduate students’ interest in pursuing a ca-
reer in production animal veterinary practice.
Materials and methods: An electronic questionnaire was
distributed to all veterinary students in the United Kingdom and
Republic of Ireland. The questionnaire contained questions
collecting demographic data, likert style items, and categorical
questions on interest in farm animal careers and factors influ-
encing these decisions. There were also free text questions
used to gather qualitative data on these topics. The results
were analysed using a mixed methods approach, with induc-
tive thematic analysis used to interpret the qualitative data and
descriptive statistics performed on the quantitative data.
Results: There were responses from 1146 veterinary stu-
dents (representing a response rate of approximately 20%),
with responses received from all veterinary schools and all
years of study. Free text responses were provided by over
90% of respondents.
The factors most identified as influencing the respondents’
desire to work in farm practice or not were their personal in-
terests, and their experiences on extra mural studies (work
experience carried out as part of the veterinary course). There
were differences between factors listed as positive and nega-
tive between those keen to pursue a farm animal career and
those that that weren’t (p<0.05), although in both groups work-
ing conditions were the most frequent factor that didn’t appeal)
Thematic analysis generated seven major themes relating
to decision making regarding farm animal veterinary practice:
relationships, preferences and interest, fit, direct experience,
fear, ethics and values and lifestyle. These themes will be de-
scribed and illustrated with quotes.
Conclusions: Veterinary students’ decisions whether to
pursue a career in farm animal practice are heavily influenced
by their own personal interest and their experiences seeing
practice. There is a perception that working conditions in farm
practice are less favourable than other sectors. This provides
an opportunity to correct misconceptions as well as identifying
aspects of farm and rural veterinary practice that might need
addressing to enhance recruitment of new graduate veterinar-
ians.
Keywords: Education, student, mixed methods, question-
naire, motivation.

TE-03
Ensuring the veterinary profession meets the needs of
livestock agriculture
John Remnant.
University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, United Kingdom.
Objectives: Recruitment and retention of farm animal and
rural veterinarians is a challenge globally. This represents a
threat to the welfare and productivity of farmed animals, as
well as a threat to the viability of existing farm animal and ru-
ral veterinary businesses. The objective of this study was to
explore approaches used to address these challenges inter-
nationally.
Materials and methods: The author received funding
from the Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust to investigate
the “farm vet pipeline”. Exploring challenges and solutions
before veterinary training (outreach and admissions), during
training (training and inspiring), after training (recruitment and
retention), and in veterinary businesses (services to farms).
Interviews with veterinary students, producers, veterinary ac-
ademics, and private veterinary practitioners were carried out.
Interviews were conducted in The Netherlands, Canada, USA,
Australia, and New Zealand. Themes were identified that ap-
plied at all stages of the pipeline.
Results: Challenges with recruitment and retention of farm
veterinarians were present in all areas visited. Several themes
and areas that could be improved applicable at all steps of the
pipeline were identified. The themes identified were 1. values,
2. inclusivity, 3. flexible and out-of-hours working, 4. collabora-
tion, 5. herd health, and 6. technology.
Conclusions: Letting farm veterinarians conduct work
that aligns with their values will improve retention. Highlighting
these values to potential and current veterinary students will
increase interest in farm animal careers. Throughout the areas
visited, the farm animal sector was not always seen as being
welcoming to all demographic groups. Increasing inclusivity at
all stages of the pipeline is key to a sustainable profession.
The lack of flexible working patterns and need for out-of-hours
working are seen as negative downsides of farm and rural vet-
erinary practice. Taking steps to facilitate flexible working and
manage the burden of out-of-hours work will improve inclu-
sivity and make the sector more desirable to veterinary stu-
dents as well as those thinking of leaving the sector. Many of
these changes will be easier by improving collaboration and
delegation with other members of the animal health team.
Herd Health, or population medicine, will also enable these
changes – this type of work aligns better with veterinarians
values and tends to take place over a more traditional working
day.
Keywords: International, recruitment, retention, business
model, education.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Teaching and Continuing Education
TE-04
Do students feel well prepared for the digital transformation
in dairy farming?
Karina Weimar1, Wolfgang Heuwieser2, Michael Iwersen1, Marc
Drillich1.
1
Clinical Unit for Herd Health Management in Ruminants, University
Clinic for Ruminants, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary
Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna,, Vienna,
Austria; 2Clinic for Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary
Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Objective: Digital technologies from milking and feeding
robots to animal-attached accelerometers and others are in-
creasingly used on dairy farms worldwide. A wide range of
data about the health, behaviour and performance of cows
is captured and processed by use of algorithms and artifi-
cial intelligence with the aim to gather additional information
and improve the management of individual cows and herds.
In this study, we used an online survey to collect the opinion
and acceptance of the use of sensor technologies on dairy
farms among students of veterinary and agricultural (livestock)
sciences.
The main objective of the study was to evaluate whether
the participants felt well prepared for the digital transformation
in dairy farming by the universities.
Material & Methods: The online survey was created
with SurveyMonkey (American polling company, San Mateo,
USA) and included i) demographic data, ii) questions about
the knowledge of the participants of today's dairy farming, iii)
assessments of sensor technologies, iv) associations based
on image impulses, v) visions and expectations of dairy farm-
ing in the future. Finally, the participants were asked whether
they felt well prepared for the digital transformation in dairy
farming by their universities. Students from eight universities
of agricultural sciences and six universities of veterinary med-
icine from Austria, Germany and Switzerland took part in the
survey. The administration or the student body of the univer-
sities distributed the link to the survey and a covering letter
by email to all students. The survey was open for response
for six weeks from November to December 2021. Most of the
answers were exported directly from SurveyMonkey to Excel
(MS Excel 2016, Microsoft Cooperation, Redmond, USA) and
analysed. The question whether the participants felt well pre-
pared for the digital transformation in dairy farming by the uni-
versities was an open question. Therefore, the answers had
to be classified into five categories before the evaluation. The
main focus at this point will be on the categories 1 and 2. Cat-
egory 1 contains the answers with “yes”, the participants feel
well prepared for the digital change. Category 2 contains the
‘no’ answers, the participants do not feel well prepared for the
digital change.
Results: A total number of 429 students took part in the
online survey. Of these, 296 students (69 %) stated that they
were studying veterinary medicine and 133 agricultural scienc-
es (31 %). Overall, 25.9 % of the students felt well prepared for
the digital transition during their studies, while 42 % said they
were not well prepared. In this context, no significant differ-
ences are found between the universities in Austria, Germany,
407
ORAL — Teaching and Continuing Education
and Switzerland, but between students of veterinary medicine
and agricultural sciences. Whereas 46.6 % of veterinary stu-
dents did not feel well prepared for the digital transformation,
this proportion was 32.3 % in agricultural sciences. Only 20.6
% of veterinary students felt well prepared. This proportion is
significantly greater (37.6 %) in agricultural students. In the
first and second semesters, more students felt well prepared
than in higher semesters.
Conclusions: Digitalisation and digital transformation in
livestock farming should be given greater consideration in the
education of students in order to better prepare them for their
future careers. This applies to both the universities of veteri-
nary medicine and agricultural sciences. More detailed results
of the survey will be presented at the conference.
Keywords: Survey, students, digital technologies, dairy
farming.
TE-05
Improving dairy cattle veterinarians' communication skills
- challenges and opportunities for training in Motivational
Interviewing
Catarina Svensson1, Lars Forsberg2, Ulf Emanuelson1, Alison M
Bard3, Kristen K Reyher3, Hans Wickström4.
1
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden;
2
MICLab AB, Stockholm, Sweden; 3Bristol Veterinary School, University
of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom; 4MeetMe Psykologkonsult AB,
Gothenburg, Sweden.
The importance of communication skills are increasingly
being recognized in the veterinary profession. For dairy cattle
veterinarians to adopt a preventative role, a better understand-
ing of and skills in how to facilitate client behavior change are
needed. Motivational Interviewing (MI) is an evidence-based
and client-centered communication methodology that is in-
creasingly being adopted in human medicine and psychology.
MI has been shown to be effective in stimulating client be-
haviour change such as reducing smoking or alcohol abuse
and to adopt life style changes. It may therefore be of rele-
vance in veterinary herd health management (VHHM).
Objectives: This presentation aims to describe results
from an evaluation of a 6-month MI training program for dairy
cattle veterinarians involved in VHHM and discuss challenges
and opportunities in the communication training.
Materials and methods: Communication skills of 38
Swedish dairy cattle veterinarians involved in VHHM (who vol-
unteered to participate in the study) were measured before
and after MI training using audio recordings of role-play con-
versations with professional actors. Each veterinarian partici-
pated in three role-plays before and three after the MI training.
The role-plays covered scenarios typically encountered within
VHHM.
Recordings were coded using the MI Treatment Integrity
Code 4.2.1 (MITI), a well-recognized instrument to measure
communication skills in MI. The MITI identifies frequency
counts of ten verbal behaviours and assessments of four glob-
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
408
al scores. Besides the word content, tone of voice, loudness
and tempo are also evaluated. MITI specifies six summa-
ry measurement derived from the original 14 variables. The
proportion of veterinarians reaching suggested thresholds of
moderate MI skills was calculated.
Veterinarians gathered in groups of four to eight persons at
six workshops (in total 36 hrs) spread out over a 6-month pe-
riod. Between workshops participants were expected to read
30-70 pages from the main MI handbook, to practice their new
skills and record conversations. At the end of each workshop,
participants were requested to fill in a brief questionnaire about
their experiences and the relevance to their work of their newly
gained knowledge and skills. The questionnaires comprised
of two parts, one using a 6-point Likert scale and one using
open-field questions.
Descriptive statistics were calculated using Microsoft Ex-
cel. The effect of training on MI skills was evaluated using hi-
erarchical regression models.
Results: In total 31 (82%) of the veterinarians completed
the training program and participated in role-plays both before
and after training. All veterinarians improved their communica-
tion skills in at least one MITI variable and there were signifi-
cant improvements in all but three of the 16 statistically eval-
uated MITI variables. After training, veterinarians reduced the
amount of information given and were less persuasive, paying
more attention to exploring how clients perceived their advice
and being more eager to investigate clients’ expectations of the
consultancies and to acknowledge clients’ knowledge. Taken
together, MITI results indicated that veterinarians adopted a
more client-orientated approach after training. The proportion
of veterinarians reaching suggested thresholds of moderate
skills increased from 0 to 29% after training. The program was
particularly successful in reducing so called non-MI-adherent
behaviours (persuation, confrontation), utterances known to
negatively impact the effect on outcome behaviours.
The mean (25-75th percentiles) of the veterinarians’ Likert
scores (where 1=low and 6=high) for the relevance of MI skills
in their work was 5.1 (5.0-6.0). The mean (25-75th percentiles)
of the veterinarians’ overall satisfaction with the program was
also 5.1 (5.0-6.0). Participating veterinarians reported difficul-
ties to find sufficient training opportunities in professional work
situations. One challenge identified by the research team was
to reach higher levels of skills in a majority of participants.
Conclusions: It was a challenge for this educational con-
cept to provide sufficient training for a majority of participants
to reach high skills. MI training was perceived useful and rel-
evant by participating veterinarians and the training program
was successful in improving veterinarians’ communication
skills in VHHM.
Keywords: Motivational Interviewing, education, commu-
nication skills, veterinary herd health management, advisory
services.

TE-06
Plan to Communicate, Communicate to Plan. How can
evidence-based communication training help vets improve
farmer engagement in herd-health planning? Tips and first
opinion practitioner experience
Andrea Turner.
Langford Vets, Bristol, United Kingdom.
Objectives: To highlight opportunities for better vet-farmer
communication and information sharing regarding herd health,
as described in the literature.
To summarise evidence-based communication and en-
gagement techniques which can be used by vets to improve
herd health planning outcomes.
To describe how evidence-based communication and en-
gagement techniques have been used in a first-opinion farm
animal practice (in Somerset, UK) to improve farmer engage-
ment with herd health planning.
To make vets aware of communication and engagement
techniques and signpost to further training opportunities in this
area.
Materials and methods: There is increasing interest and
awareness in the veterinary profession regarding communica-
tion techniques and methods of engaging clients to promote
positive behaviour change. In the case of farm animal medi-
cine and herd health planning, vet–farmer communication and
information sharing are crucial in order to achieve meaningful
and sustainable behaviour change in farmers and farm work-
ers which can have maximal impact on improving herd health.
Three PhD theses (Morgans, 2019, Rees, 2019) complet-
ed at the University of Bristol Vet School by Dr Gwen Rees, Dr
Lisa Morgans and Dr Alison Bard will be summarised. These
theses explored farmer decision making, farmer engagement
through peer-to-peer learning and vet-farmer communication
(Motivational Interviewing; (Bard et al., 2017)), specifically re-
lating to antimicrobial use and herd health planning. The au-
thor (a full-time practicing first opinion farm vet) who has had
training in the facilitation of farmer peer-to-peer learning and
Motivational Interviewing (from Dr Lisa Morgans and Dr Alison
Bard, respectively) will describe the ways in which the find-
ings of these theses can, and have been applied and used in
first-opinion farm animal practice to engage farmers in herd
health planning.
Results: Experiences from, and ‘tips’ for the practical im-
plementation of the outcomes of each of the theses described
will be shared by the author, specifically relating to how these
outcomes can help vets engage farmers in herd health plan-
ning, including;
• How ‘what farmers really want from their vets’ (as iden-
tified by the work of Dr Gwen Rees) can be achieved
practically through farm-specific protocols, laminated
posters, farm-specific herd health calendars and prac-
tice protocols.
• How facilitated farmer meetings and farmer peer-to-
peer learning (as studied by Dr Lisa Morgans) can be
used to create co-produced herd health plans and the
successes and pitfalls of doing this in practice.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
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• How Motivational Interviewing techniques (as studied
by Dr Alison Bard) can be used in herd health planning
meetings, including how the author has used these
techniques both successfully and not-so-successfully.
Conclusions: The way in which vets communicate and
engage with farmers can have huge implications for the suc-
cess of herd health planning as sustainable and positive be-
haviour changes need to be elicited in both farmers and farm
workers for herd health plans and related management chang-
es to be implemented successfully.
The practical application of communication and engage-
ment techniques studied in academic settings can vary for
different practitioners in different settings. Evidence-based
communication and engagement strategies have been imple-
mented by the author in her first-opinion farm animal practice
in relation to herd health planning. It is hoped that by sharing
practical experience of these techniques, practicing farm vets
will be inspired to apply these evidence-based strategies to
their own practice. Signposting practicing vets to these com-
munication strategies and helping them to apply these tech-
niques to their own practice is essential if the veterinary pro-
fession is to move forwards in engaging farmers in meaningful
herd health planning.
References:
Bard, A., Main, D., Haase, A., Whay, B., Roe, E. & Reyher,
K. 2017. Partnership or persuasion? A qualitative investigation
of veterinary communication in the pursuit of client behaviour
change. PLoS ONE, Vol 12.
Morgans, L. 2019. A participatory, farmer-led approach to
changing practice around antimicrobial use on UK dairy farms.
University of Bristol.
Rees, G. 2019. Understanding Prescription Veterinary
Medicine Use on UK Dairy Farms. University of Bristol.
Keywords: Coomunication, Training, Herd health, Motiva-
tional Interviewing, Facilitation.
TE-07
The use of the virtual-problem-based learning in veterinary
education during SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic
emergency: a resource or a disadvantage?
Fabiana Micieli, Giovanni Della Valle, Chiara Del Prete, Paolo
Ciaramella, Jacopo Guccione.
University of Napoli Federico II, Department of Veterinary Medicine
and Animal Productions, Napoli, Italy.
Objectives: The COVID-19 global pandemic emergen-
cy is forcing Veterinary College all over the world to modify
deeply the traditional teaching approach employed. Due to the
nationwide lockdown, the social distancing and the restrictions
adopted in our country to reduce the virus spread, the Depart-
ment of Veterinary Medicine of Napoli decided to replace the
“traditional and in presence” hours dedicated to the clinical,
pre-graduating, veterinary medical training with multiple ses-
sions of clinical virtual-problem-based learning (v-PBL). In vet-
409
ORAL — Teaching and Continuing Education
erinary education, problem-based learning (PBL) represents
one of the most popular and flexible teaching systems able
to replicate and simulate real-life experiences. This prospec-
tive cross-sectional case-control study aimed to evaluate the
students’ perception of the v-PBLs compared to the traditional
veterinary clinically training (t-VCT).
Materials and methods: All the fifth-year students who
completed the t-VCT (76 students) or the clinical v-PBL (46
students) represented the study population. The t-VCT con-
sisted of supervised management of clinical cases admitted
at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital or performed in the field
under academic-staff supervision. The v-PBL consisted of
genuine clinical case shared by tutors throughout an online
platform. For each case, in the v-PBL group the time was ap-
proximately divided as follow: 1h of case-introduction by the
tutor; 8h of self-learning and problem-solving activities (con-
sisting of 15 to 20 progressive questions and activities related)
and 4h of virtual group-discussion activity between students
and tutor. To evaluate the student perception of the teaching
methods, a survey with 18-Likert and two open-end questions
was delivered to all the students in the study population. The
latter was divided into five sections: “demographic data”, “sat-
isfaction”, “clinical skills”, “supervision” and “student’s percep-
tions of the training”.
Results: The survey was completed by 49% of the stu-
dents (36.8% and 69.6% for t-VCT and v-PBL, respectively).
Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for internal consistency for the
questionnaire was 0.9 (acceptable). Overall, the students’
satisfactions degree regarding the training experiences was
high in both groups. Nevertheless, the v-PBL group overall felt
less satisfying as compared to the t-VCT group. The students
of v-PBL group perceived that they could not improve their
practical clinical skills through online sessions. All students of
the v-PBL group had not suggestions to improve the v-PBL al-
though they emphasized how it could be employed as support
of traditional practical activities, in the future. All the students
considered the trainings correctly focused on relevant learning
objectives and the task clearly explained. Moreover, despite
the social distancing imposed, the students in both groups ex-
press an overall satisfaction for the supervision activities per-
formed by the academic staff.
Conclusions: Stimulating the integration of knowledge
and lifelong learning skills replicating life experiences the
v-PBLs represented an attractive curricular alternative for
veterinary education in a period in which the conventional di-
dactic systems have been deeply changed by the COVID-19
pandemic emergency. Moreover, it should be considered to
integrate the traditional practical teaching approach with PBL
to increase motivation and physiological arousal in students.
Keywords: Sars-cov-2, veterinary students, virtual-prob-
lem-based learning, veterinary teaching.
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TE-08
FarmSkills4Vets - A virtual dairy farm brings veterinary
herd health advisory into the home office of students and
sparks their interest in cattle practice
Linda Dachrodt1, Carsten Gazivoda1, Martina Hoedemaker1, Heidi
Arndt2, Svenja Woudstra3.
1
Clinic for Cattle, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover,
Germany; 2Institute of Animal Science, University of Hohenheim
Stuttgart, Germany; 3Section for Production Nutrition and Health,
University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
Objectives: Veterinary herd health advisory is a central el-
ement of modern veterinary medicine. Despite the importance,
practical farm visits can be conducted with students only occa-
sionally during their education at universities due to the limited
resources. In addition, there is an increasing trend that fewer
and fewer graduates want to work in bovine practice after their
studies. The aim of the project FarmSkills4Vets was therefore
(1) to develop a virtual dairy cow farm where students can
learn the basics of veterinary herd health advisory, and (2) to
evaluate if such a new learning environment might increase
the students interest in bovine practice.
Material and methods: The virtual dairy farm was created
on the basis of 360°photo images from real dairy farms. The
individual scenes showed typical areas of a dairy farm, e.g.,
the housing area for calves and youngstock, compartments in
the cowshed like feeding bunk, lying cubicles, maternity pen,
and area for sick cows as well as silo facilities and milking
parlor. The students step into the boots of the advising veteri-
narian and learn the basics of veterinary herd health advisory
by exploring photos, videos and audio files in a self-directed
way. Integrated questions and quizzes stimulate them to apply
the learned skills directly.
From August to September 2021, students from the 2nd
to the 10th semester of the University of Veterinary Medicine
Hannover had the opportunity to test the virtual dairy farm.
For the evaluation, 2 questionnaires were designed: Before
the visit of the virtual dairy farm, the students were asked
about their interests, prior knowledge, and self-assessment
(pre-evaluation). Following the visit of the virtual farm, the stu-
dents had to evaluate FS4V, especially the format, content,
and realization, and were again asked to self-assess their
skills and knowledge (post-evaluation). In the first test phase,
192 students completed the tour through the virtual dairy farm
and evaluated FS4V.
Results: Almost all students enjoyed the visit of the vir-
tual dairy farm (94.8 %) and were sure that this format can
help to better understand and apply the specialist knowledge
(96.3 %). Furthermore, students felt better prepared for in-
structed or independent conduction of veterinary herd health
advisory. A large percentage of students (68.0 %) indicated
that the virtual farm visit had increased their interest in cat-
tle medicine. In addition, the visit of FS4V woke the interest
in cattle practice in some students who had indicated in the
pre-evaluation that they had not yet decided on what to spe-
cialize later (12.0%) or were more interested in small animal
or equine medicine (4.7 %). Furthermore, students indicated
that they would appreciate to have such a format for teaching
 ORAL — Teaching and Continuing Education

other veterinary topics, such as animal welfare and food safe-

ty, as well as veterinary herd health advisory of other animal
species, such as pigs and poultry.
Conclusion: The authors regard such a format as a good
opportunity to transfer the scientific knowledge in a practical
and vivid way. In addition, a playful transfer of knowledge can
help to increase the interest in cattle medicine and thus, also
win cattle veterinarians for the future.
The authors thank the participating farmers and the Minis-
try of Science and Culture of Lower Saxony for financial sup-
port (“Innovation plus” 2020/2021, No.053).
Keywords: Virtual dairy farm, education, knowledge
transfer.

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ORAL — Udder Health and Mastitis
UH-01
Selective and deferred treatment of clinical mastitis in
seven New Zealand dairy herds
Andrew Bates1, Richard Laven2, Olaf Bork3, Merlyn Hay4, Jess
Mcdowell5, Bernardita Saldias6.
1
Vetlife Scientific Ltd, Temuka, New Zealand; 2School of Veterinary
Sciences, Massey University, New Zealand; 3Mastaplex Ltd, Dunedin,
New Zealand; 4Vetlife Oamaru, Oamaru, New Zealand; 5Vetlife
Temuka, Temuka, New Zealand; 6Centre for Dairy Excellence,
Geraldine, New Zealand.
Objectives: This study focused on evaluating the ability of
a novel on-farm diagnostic system for bovine mastitis (Mas-
tatestÒ ) to control antibiotic usage whilst achieving equivalent
bacteriological and clinical cure rates alongside long term in-
dividual somatic cell count (ISCC) outcomes as conventional
treatment choices.
Mastitis is the most frequent reason for antibiotic use in
New Zealand dairy cattle and technologies reducing this use
contribute to responsible product stewardship. Rapid identifi-
cation of pathogen and antibiotic susceptibility facilitate target-
ed treatment but currently involve a minimum 24 hours delay.
Studies from confinement systems where Gram-negative or-
ganisms are responsible for a significant proportion of mastitis,
indicate selective treatment can reduce antibiotic use without
reducing clinical or bacteriological cure. However, in New Zea-
land’s seasonal, pastoral dairy system, mastitis is dominated
by Gram-positive organisms and if treatment is deferred, it is
vital both short- and long-term clinical health outcomes are not
compromised.
Materials and methods: MastatestÒ is an on-farm or clinic
diagnostic system for bovine mastitis indicating the pathogen
and its antibiotic sensitivity within 24 hours of sampling.
Mild to moderate mastitis cases in the 100 days after
calving in 6,467 cows from 7 farms were milk sampled and
randomly allocated to a positive control group (non-selective
treatment) or a culture-based treatment using MastatestÒ. All
milk samples were processed on-farm.
For the positive control, the quarter was treated immedi-
ately with 3 treatments of procaine penicillin every 12 hours.
For the selective treatment group, treatment was delayed for
24 hours and then informed by pathogen and antibiotic sensi-
tivity from the MastatestÒ result. Gram-negative and no-growth
quarters were untreated. Gram-positive quarters were treated
with the antibiotic for which the lowest in vitro antimicrobial
sensitivity was reported.
Re-sampling was carried out from affected quarter(s) ap-
proximately 21 days after initial diagnosis and cultured for
bacterial identification. Clinical recurrence within 60 days and
ISCC data was recorded at herd tests over the duration of the
lactation. Antimicrobial usage and days of milk withhold pend-
ing clearance of residues were also noted.
Results: There was no difference in bacteriological or
clinical cure rate between the two treatment groups. Out of
535 quarter cases, 451 (84%) were bacteriologically cured at
re-sampling and 43 (8%) were re-diagnosed with clinical mas-
titis within 60 days of the original diagnosis. Bayesian models
predicted no difference in the cure proportion by treatment
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
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group but the probability of a bacteriological cure for cows in-
fected with Staph.aureus was significantly less than that for
Strep. uberis in both groups. There were numerical differenc-
es in the median bacteriological cure proportion by farm, but
the coefficients spanned zero and overlapped. There was no
evidence for a significant interaction between treatment group
and farm, nor between treatment group and pathogen.
Final herd test ISCC - 225,000 cells/mL (95% predictive in-
terval (PI) =25,000-4,543,145) - and days of milk withhold from
supply - 5.7 days per quarter case (95% PI=1.0-6.5) - did not
differ between groups. There were numeric differences in the
median predicted ISCC by pathogen and farm, but the coeffi-
cients spanned zero and overlapped. There was no evidence
for a significant interaction between treatment group and farm,
nor between treatment group and pathogen.
Antibiotic usage was 24% less (95% PI = 12-47%) in the
selective group with the model predicting that the there was a
98% chance that antibiotic usage in the selective group (1.3
daily doses per case, 95%PI=1.1-1.6) was less than in the
non-selective group (1.7, 95%PI=1.4-1.9).
Conclusions: This study suggests that on farm decisions
about deferred treatment of mastitis using MastatestÒ to iden-
tify the intramammary pathogen can reduce the antimicrobial
usage with no loss in bacterial or clinical cure and with no ef-
fect on ISCC over the lactation.
Keywords: Mastitis, deferred treatment, antibiotic sensi-
tivity, Mastatest.
UH-02
Udder health in German dairy heifers – risk factors during
first days of lactation
Martin Tho Seeth1, Julia Nitz2, Volker Krömker3.
1
Chamber of Agriculture Lower Saxony, Udder Health
Service / Hannover University of Applied Sciences and Art, Faculty II,
Microbiology, Oldenburg / Hannover, Germany; 2Hannover University
of Applied Sciences and Art, Faculty II, Microbiology, Hannover,
Germany; 3University of Copenhagen, Faculty of Health and Medical
Sciences, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Section for
Production, Nutrition and Health, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Objectives: Heifer mastitis is of great importance in many
German dairy farms. Intramammary infections (IMI) prior to
calving and during the early lactation period may influence
the development of the mammary glands, the future milk pro-
duction, udder health and related culling hazard negatively
(Piepers et al., 2009). Up to now, the exact time of infection
has not been identified. However, knowing this time point
would be of major importance in order to reduce the rate of
new IMI by possibly switching off the main risk factors. The
aim of this study was to evaluate the exact moment of IMI
in dairy heifers during early lactation and to demonstrate the
most important risk factors.
Material and methods: In total, 279 Holstein Frisian heif-
ers reared on 3 German dairy farms were included in this
study. The average bulk milk SCC during the test period was

150,000, 180,000 and 260,000 cells / ml, respectively. From
September 2017 until March 2018 quarter milk samples were
collected from all four udder quarters for cyto-microbiological
diagnosis at two time points. The samples were obtained 3
and 17± 3 days after calving in order to define the postpar-
tum IMI status. Isolated NAS strains were differentiated using
MALDI-TOF-MS (Bruker, Bremen). The farmers observed the
heifers during the first 100 days of lactation and documented
all signs of clinical mastitis.
Results: No pathogen could be detected in 80.2% (n = 725)
of the udder quarters three days after calving and in 85.8% (n
= 776) of the udder quarters 17 days after calving. This means
that on day 17 after calving an IMI could be detected in 129
udder quarters. Based on the infection status on day 3 after
calving, 83.0% (n = 107) of these 129 quarters suffered from a
new infection. A latent infection could be detected in 17% (n =
22) of these udder quarters. 80.4% of the udder quarters suf-
fered from an infection caused by NAS at day 3 p.p. showed
a somatic cell count of >100.000 cells/mL. The probability of
IMI caused by contagious mastitis pathogens increased with
elevated SCC. Heifers showed an increasing probability of IMI
with NAS and coryneforms on day 17 postpartum when being
at a higher age at calving. Heifers with high milk yields showed
less IMI caused by environmental pathogens 17 days postpar-
tum and fewer clinical mastitis in the first 100 days of lactation.
However, animals with high milk yield showed increased IMI
caused by NAS and coryneforms pathogens on day 3 post-
partum. Udder edema was associated with an increased risk
of IMI caused by NAS and coryneforms on day 3 postpartum.
A strong association between udder health of dairy heifers and
teat-cup fell-offs with the result of sudden air ingress could
also be shown. Animals from farms with increased problems
during milking showed an increased probability of IMI on days
3 and 17 postpartum.
Conclusion: This study reveals that an elimination of
pathogens is possible during early lactation. However, there
is a risk of new infection at the same time. In addition to the
period before calving and calving itself, the period between the
3rd and 17th day of lactation plays an extremely important role
for the udder health of dairy heifers. For this reason, the risk
factors specific to this stage of early lactation must be taken
into account in order to apply a modern udder health manage-
ment to dairy farms.
Keywords: Mastitis, intramammary infections, dairy
heifers.
UH-03
In vitro penicillin sensitivity of Streptococcus ssp. isolated
from quarter milk samples of Bavarian dairy cows (2018 -
2019)
Reglindis Huber-Schlenstedt, Laura Macias-Luaces, Ulrike Sorge.
Bavarian Animal Health Service, Poing, Germany.
Objective: The objective was to evaluate the in vitro
antimicrobial resistance against penicillin of Streptococcus
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Udder Health and Mastitis
(S.) uberis, S. agalactiae, S. dysgalactiae, and S. canis of rou-
tine quarter milk samples.
Material and methods: In 2018 and 2019 the Bavarian
Animal Health Services received quarter milk samples from
whole dairy herd tests as well as individual cows. The lab-
oratory used standard culture methods in accordance with
guidelines of the German veterinary association to diagnose
infections in quarter milk samples. The identification of Strep-
tococci was based on colony morphology, hemolysis, esculin
hydrolysis, camp factor as well as gram strain. Further differ-
entiation of esculin-positive Streptococci was conducted with
an in-house method that utilized Enterococcus selective agar
plates and a disc test against Penicillin and Rifampicin. Strains
of unclear results were identified by MALDI-TOF-MS (microf-
lexTM MALDI BiotyperTM, Bruker Daltonik, reference database
V.3.3.1.0., Bruker Daltonik GmbH, Bremen Germany). A sub-
set of aforementioned Streptococci was tested for sensitivity
to common antibiotics using with the method of MIC (minimum
inhibitory concentration) (mastitis 3 plat, Merlin Diagnosti-
ka GmbH). Breakpoints for sensitivity are based upon CLSI
Vet01-A4 (2015) and CLSI Vet01S 5th edition. As a breakpoint
for penicillin for the indication “mastitis cow” does not exist,
an older breakpoint (CLSI M31-A2; AVID, 1998) was used
instead. Furthermore, intermediate results were reported as
resistant. Results were summarized by descriptive statistics.
Results: A total of 854,782 quarter milk samples from
218,336 cows of >7,000 individual dairy farms were ana-
lyzed in the laboratory in 2018-2019. These included samples
from subclinical (based on California Mastitis Test (CMT),
n=  213,174) and clinical cases (n=  17,642). Mastitis patho-
gens were found in 18.7 % (n= 159,900) of all submitted sam-
ples.
S. uberis was the most commonly isolated mastitis patho-
gen of clinical samples (2018: 35.0%, n= 2,566; 2019: 34.4%,
n= 2,280). Additionally, S. uberis was the second most com-
monly isolated pathogen in samples of subclinical cases in
both years (2018: 23.9%, n= 12,178; 2019: 23.1% n= 9,778)
- only surpassed by Coagulase Negative Staphylococci
(2018: 29.5%; 2019: 30.4%).
Of 7,345 S. uberis tested, exceedingly few isolates (n=47)
had a breakpoint >0.125 for penicillin (2018: 0.8%, n=  33;
2019: 0.4%, n= 14). The vast majority had a breakpoint <0,125
for penicillin and thus was considered susceptible to penicil-
lin in vitro. All tested isolates of S. agalactiae (n= 900) and
S. canis (n= 355) had a breakpoint <0.125 for penicillin - i.e.,
none were considered resistant to penicillin. Only five (0.2%)
of 2,684 tested S. dysgalactiae were considered resistant to
penicillin as they had a penicillin breakpoint above >0.125
(2018: 0.1%, n= 1,444; 2019: 0.2%, n= 1,240).
Conclusion: Only sporadic Streptococci  isolates had a
breakpoint >0.125 and were resistant to penicillin in vitro. The
vast majority of tested Streptococci had a breakpoint <0.125
for penicillin. Therefore, penicillin should continue to be the
first choice for antibiotic therapy of S. uberis and esculin-neg-
ative Streptococci in Bavaria (Southern Germany).
Funding Source: Bavarian Ministry for Food, Agriculture
and Forestry and the Bavarian Joint Founding Scheme for the
Control and Eradication of contagious Livestock (Bayerische
Tierseuchenkasse).
Keywords: Mastitis, streptococci ssp., penicillin sensitivity.
413
ORAL — Udder Health and Mastitis
UH-04
Monitoring Udder Health on Routinely Collected Census
Data: Evaluating the Effects of a Changing Antimicrobial
Policy in the Netherlands
Christian Scherpenzeel1, Kristel Van Den Heuvel-Van Den Broek1,
Inge Santman-Berends1, Gerdien Van Schaik2.
1
Royal GD Animal Health, Deventer, Netherlands; 2Royal GD Animal
Health & Utrecht University, Deventer, Netherlands.
Objectives: Antibiotic resistance is becoming increasingly
important and given its potential association with antimicrobial
use (AMU), continuous actions are taken to reduce AMU in
the livestock industry. One of the most important measures to
avert preventive antibiotic usage was implementation of selec-
tive instead of blanket dry cow therapy in 2013. In the Nether-
lands, both AMU and udder health parameters are monitored
in the Dutch cattle health surveillance system (CHSS) based
on routinely collected census data (17,000 dairy herds). The
aim of our study was to determine whether we could moni-
tor the effect of changing AMU on udder health in Dutch dairy
farms.
Material and methods: In total, six udder health indicators
are monitored on a quarterly basis i.e. bulk milk somatic cell
count (BMSCC), prevalence and incidence of high SCC cows
(HSCC), herds with a >25% incidence of HSCC primi- and
multiparous cows during the start of the lactation and herds
with a >25% prevalence cows with a consistent HSCC before
and after calving. The association between udder health key
indicators and AMU was analysed using population average
multivariable regression techniques with appropriate distribu-
tions and link functions. In addition, other variables that may
be related to udder health were included in the models.
Results: With the implementation of general regulations
aiming to decrease AMU, the Animal Defined Daily Dosage
(DDDA) in dairy herds decreased from 5.78 in 2009 to 4.03
in 2013 (SDA, 2014). After implementation of SDCT, DDDA
in dairy herds decreased further to 3.06 in 2017 (SDA, 2018).
Our results showed that both implementation of regulations for
AMU in general (2009) and implementing selective dry cow
therapy rather than blanket treatment (2013), did not result in
a deterioration in most udder health indicators (Fig. 1a). The
only indicator that was somewhat negatively influenced by the
implementation of SDCT was the percentage of herds with
>25% new HSCC in multiparous cows during the start of lac-
tation (Fig. 1b).
Even though most udder health parameters were not
negatively influenced, the results of the multivariable mod-
els showed that not applying antimicrobials at all resulted in
a higher BMSCC (+15.6 x103 cells/mL (95% CI: 15.1-16.1)),
a higher incidence and prevalence of HSCC cows (OR=1.6)
and a higher probability to have >25% cows with a new HSCC
during the start of lactation.
Conclusion: The results indicate that even though AMU
was decreased with 47% (from 5.78 DDDA in 2009 to 3.06
DDDA in 2017), a decrease in udder health indicators was not
observed. Thus, application of SDCT did not seem to affect the
general udder health in dairy herds. However, in dairy herds
that did not use any antimicrobials the SCC of cows was sig-
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
414
nificantly higher compared to the herds with an average AMU.
In conclusion, it is advisable to closely monitor the effects on
animal health when new policies to reduce AMU are imple-
mented. The results provide confidence that AMU reducing
measures lead to more prudent use of antimicrobials without
jeopardizing animal health.
Keywords: Udder health, Antimicrobial use, Census Data,
Selective Dry Cow Therapy.
UH-05
In vitro antimicrobial resistance of bacteria isolated from
clinical mastitis cows in Germany
Luis Leon1, Christian Fidelak2, Thomas Breuer1, Hans-Georg Schoen3.
Zoetis Germany, Berlin, Germany; 2Bovicare GmbH, Potsdam,
1
Germany; 3University of Applied Sciences Osnabrueck, Osnabrueck,
Germany.
Objectives: The goal of this study was to analyze the clin-
ical mastitis pathogens resistance to routinely used antibiot-
ics by analyzing samples collected across different regions in
Germany.
Material and Methods: Quarter milk samples of cows
with clinical mastitis were analyzed at a milk quality labora-
tory (bovicare GmbH, Germany). The samples were pro-
cessed for bacteriology, SCC and resistance against the most
frequently intramammary used  antibiotics / antibiotic combi-
nations: Amoxicillin and Clavulanic acid (AMC), Cefquinome
(CEFQ), Cefoperazone (CFP), Cephapirin (CEPA), Cephalex-
in and Kanamycin (CKN) and Penicillin (P). The samples were
submitted by 308 local veterinarians during September 2015
and February 2020. The median of samples per vet was 4.
The samples were examined following NMC guidelines. Re-
sistance was determined using agar diffusion method, evalu-
ation of the inhibition-zone-results (S: susceptible, I: interme-
diate, R: resistant) was done using literature and companies’
recommendations. The resistance results were statistically
analyzed (IBM-SPSS; version 26.0) using Cochran-Q-test
(S+I versus R) followed by Bonferroni-Dunn post hoc test. The
Kruskall-Wallis-test with the Bonferroni-Dunn correction was
used for analysis of the region´s effects. Differences consider
statistically significant when P<0.05.
Results: 3,137 quarter  bacteriological positive  samples
were tested for resistance. From East Germany were 488
(47%) collected, 853 (28%) from South and 796 (25%) from
Northwest Germany. The most frequent pathogen was S. uber-
is (36.9%), followed by S. aureus (12.8%), E. coli (11.9%) and
CNS (10.1%). This pathogen distribution is related in the liter-
ature. The results showed a significant difference of the in vitro
susceptibility between the antibiotics tested (p=0.000). The re-
sistance situation for the S. uberis-Isolates was: CKNa (9%),
CEFQac (7%), Pbc (6%), CEPAbc (6%), CFPd (2%), AMCd (1%).
No differences across the regions were found. For S. aureus
the distribution of resistant-isolates was: Pa (25%), CKNb (7%),
AMCb (6%), CEPAb (5%), CEFQbc (3%), CFPc (2%). Region-
al differences were found only for P (less resistance in East

Germany). The frequency of resistant E. coli-isolates was:
Pa (100%), CEPAb (77%), CKNc (30%), CEFQd (4%), CFPd
(3%), AMCd (3%). Regional differences were found only for
CNK (less resistance in Southern Germany). Considering all
pathogens, the resistance situation was as follows: Pa (32%),
CEPAb (22%), CKNc (16%), CEFQd (8%), CFPe (5%), AMCe
(4%). There are differences between regions for P (more re-
sistances in Northern) and CEPA (less resistances for the East
Germany isolates).
Conclusion: Large number of isolates showed resistance
against P, CEPA and CKN confirming the hypothesis that
some gram positive and gram-negative mastitis isolates are
not susceptible to often used antibiotics. AMC shows an activ-
ity against the most important gram-positive and gram-nega-
tive pathogens. AMC is an effective alternative to cephalospo-
rines 3rd (CFP) / 4th generation (CEFQ). Similar results were
published in Germany and other countries (Zieger et al. 2014,
Leon et al. 2015, Leon et al. 2020, Bolte et al. 2020).
Keywords: Mastitis, resistance, pathogens, antibiotics,
Germany.
UH-06
Analysis of udder health indexes of dairy operations from
Galicia, Spain
Manuel Angel Fernandez Sanchez1, Ana Benitez Sánchez1, Carmen
Castella2.
Mafer S.A., Lugo, Spain; 2VIRBAC Espana, Barcelona, Spain.
1
Objectives: The objective of this study was to process
data from a dairy herd improvement (DHI) organisation of
Galicia (Spain) to identify key risk factors of intramammary in-
fection (IMI) and changes in these factors over a seven-year
time series.
Material & Methods: Data were retrieved from the DHI
organisation in Galicia (Federación Frisona Gallega, FEFRI-
GA) which monitors 2545 farms (July 2019). Base values of
several udder health indexes (UHI) were estimated from this
database. Then a sub-set of 254 farms was selected at ran-
dom to establish individual time series for the UHI (01/2012
to 12/2019); this represents a total of 18563 control-days. Se-
lected farms resorted to a consultancy service (veterinarian)
to improve quality control. The Somatic Cell Count (SCC) de-
cision-making threshold was 200 x103cells/ml (>200 x103=in-
fected, ≤200 x103=healty). UHI considered in this study were:
• Prevalence
○○ [PL1] PREVALENCE (first lactation cows: L1): L1 >
200 x103cells/mL in current control/total number L1
in current control
○○ [PF] PREVALENCE (Flock level): Cows > 200 x103
cells/mL in current control/total number of cows in
current control.
• Incidence rates
○○ [IF] INCIDENCE (Flock level): cows previous con-
trol (C1) ≤ 200 x103 cells/mL and current control
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Udder Health and Mastitis
(C2)>200 x103 cells/mL /cows C1 ≤ 200 x103cells/
mL and with presence in C2.
○○ [IL1C1] INCIDENCE (First Lactation: L1) – First
Control (C1): L1 C1 > 200 x103cells/mL current con-
trol /number of L1 C1 in current control.
○○ [IDP] INCIDENCE (dry period): > 200 x103cells/mL
first control after parturition with < 200 x103 cells/
mL before dry period / < 200 x103cells/mL before
dry period
• Cure rates
○○ [CL] CURE (Lactation): number of cows with C1>200
x103 cells/mL and C2 (second control) ≤200 x103
cells/mL /number of cows C1>200 x103 cells/mL
○○ [​CDP] CURE DRY PERIOD (After dry period):
number of cows C1 ≤200 x103 cells/mL and >200
x103cells/mL in previous control /number of cows
C1, with >200 x103 cells/mL in previous control.
• Chronicity [CHR]
○○ Cows >200 x103 cells/mL. in last two controls/Total
infected in the previous month (>200 x103 cells/mL).
A selection of risk factors that can impact UHI were consid-
ered. These factors were:
• Average daily milk yield/cow/day (L/cow/day)
• Farm Size (<40, 40-65 or >65 heads)
• Bedding (organic/inorganic)
• Number of daily milkings/cow/day (2 or 3)
• Dry cow therapy (yes or no)
• Grazing (yes or no)
• Pre-dipping (yes or no)
Logistic regression was used as a statistical model for the
analysis of factors to model the probability of a certain class.
The autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) anal-
ysis has been used for the study of the time series and to pre-
dict future points in the series (forecasting). ARIMA is actually
a class of models that 'explains' a given time series based
on its own past values, that is, its own lags and the lagged
forecast errors, so that equation can be used to forecast future
values. Data were processed with Statgraphics Centurion XVI
software (Statgraphics Technologies, Inc., The Plains (VA),
USA).
Results: The logistic regression enlightened the influence
(either positive or negative) of every UHI (Table 1). Only signif-
icant associations (P<0.05) are presented.
The ARIMA analysis led to the conclusions that it does ex-
ist an over year tendency and a season effect for every single
UHI with the exception of IDP.
Conclusions: Statistical studies on DHI data can verify
the seasonability and trends in the evolution of data in time se-
ries. Also, this study of major factors that influence the udder
health indexes can give guidance on the way to improve the
udder health status.
Keywords: Udder health; cure rate; ARIMA.
415
ORAL — Udder Health and Mastitis

Table 1. Significant (P<0.05) associations between risk factors and giene, biosecurity and general herd management.
magnitude, and change (increase/decrease) in selected Udder Results: Prevalence: MRSA prevalence was 23.6%
Health Indexes (UHI). (47/199) in milk-fed calves, 13.6% (26/191) in samples from
Risk factors UHI heifers, 8.6% (16/187) in post-weaning calves and 7.9%
Item Magnitude Decrease Increase
(47/595) of cows carried MRSA in QMS. In total, 68/2384
(2.9%) QMS were tested positive, indicating that multiple quar-
Higher PF, PL1, IF, ters were affected in some cows. As an indicator for mastitis,
Milk yield CDP, CL
production IL1C1, IDP, CHR
the average somatic cell count (geometric mean) was high-
Farm size Larger farms CDP PF, IL1C1, IDP er in QMS from MRSA affected quarters (357,000 cells/ml)
Bedding in comparison to all quarters (114,000 cells/ml) (p<0.05). In
Inorganic PF, PL1, IF, IDP  
(small farms) BTM, MRSA was detected on 12 farms. In the environment,
Milking PF, PL1, CDP, LA-MRSA was detected in dust, teat liners and automatic calf
3x day IDP, CL
frequency CHR feeders. In samples from farm personnel, MRSA was detected
Dry cow PF, PL1, IF, on 4/7 farms.
No DCT CDP, CL
therapy IL1C1, CHR Characterization of isolates: All MRSA isolates carried
Grazing No grazing PF, PL1 CDP the mecA gene and belonged to CC398. Moreover, most iso-
lates were identified as SCCmec-type V and spa-types t011
CDP, CL, IL1C1,
Pre-dipping No teat dipping
IDP
CHR and t034. Results from NGS revealed additional genes that
mediate resistance against aminoglycosides, macrolides, tri-
methoprim, tetracycline and lincosamides. Determination of
virulence-associated genes in LA-MRSA isolates predicts low
risk for human infections.
Potential risk factors: Improper milking hygiene proce-
UH-07
dures were observed on all farms with MRSA detection in milk
Spread of livestock associated MRSA CC398 in German (n=12). Two farms did not perform any udder cleaning and on
dairy herds one farm, one udder towel was used for all cows. Five MR-
SA-positive farms had no cluster disinfection and on one farm
Arne Schnitt1, Tobias Lienen1, Heidi Wichmann-Schauer1, Christiane disinfection was only sporadically performed. Two farms did
Cuny2, Bernd-Alois Tenhagen1. not do any post dipping and on three more farms post dipping
German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany;
1 was ineffective. Five MRSA affected farms kept both cattle
Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany.
2 and pigs at the same facility. However, MRSA was detected
in only two pig barns and on one farm MRSA genotypes were
different.
Objectives: Livestock associated methicillin resistant
Conclusions: On 20 German dairy farms, the highest
Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA) often belong to clonal
MRSA prevalence was detected in nasal swabs from young
complex (CC) 398 and may colonize and infect different animal
calves. Therefore, future MRSA monitoring programs should
species including humans (Cuny et al 2015). In both, animals
include samples from young stock. Improper milking hygiene
and humans, LA-MRSA were rarely associated with clinical
as well as MRSA carrying humans and replacement heifers
infections. In dairy cows, MRSA prevalence is low especially
may enhance the spread of LA-MRSA CC398 within and be-
in comparison to pigs (Schnitt and Tenhagen 2019). Howev-
tween dairy herds. The role of pigs as a potential reservoir for
er, LA-MRSA ST398 can cause mastitis in dairy cows (Falk
LA-MRSA that may be transmitted to dairy cows needs to be
2018). Mastitis caused by MRSA is a problem in veterinary
further investigated.
medicine, since most antibiotics approved for mastitis and dry
cow therapy are β-lactams. Therefore, MRSA monitoring and References:
prevention strategies are needed for dairy herds. This study Cuny C., Wieler L.H., Witte W. (2015): Livestock-Associat-
aimed to determine the occurrence and spread of LA-MRSA ed MRSA: The Impact on Humans; Antibiotics 4(4):521-543.
on preselected German dairy farms. Falk R. (2018): Unusual outbreak of mastitis caused by
Materials and methods: Based on previous phenotypic methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in a dairy
MRSA detection, 20 German dairy herds were selected and herd in winter 2018. Animal Health Report—International
visited in 2018-19. Eight farms used automatic milking sys- Dairy Federation 9–10. https://www.fil-idf.org/wp-content/up-
tems and 12 farms used milking parlours. From dairy cows, loads/2018/09/IDF-Animal-Health-Report-Web.pdf accessed
quarter milk samples (QMS) and bulk tank milk (BTM) was February 21, 2020.
collected. Additionally, swab samples from calves, heifers, Schnitt A. & Tenhagen BA. (2019): Risk Factors for the
dust, teat liners, pigs, farm personnel and suckers from auto- Occurrence of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in
matic calf feeders were analysed. In total, 3396 samples were Dairy Herds: An Update. Foodborne Pathog Dis. doi:10.1089/
screened for the presence of MRSA using a two-step selective fpd.2019.2638.
enrichment protocol. All presumptive MRSA isolates were fur-
Keywords: Mastitis, antimicrobial resistance, MRSA,
ther analysed by MALDI-TOF, mecA/mecC PCR, spa-typing,
Staphylococcus aureus.
SCCmec-typing and certain isolates were selected for next
generation sequencing (NGS). A structured questionnaire and
on farm observations were used to collect data on milking hy-

31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID

416

UH-08
Milk Somatic Cell Count in Buffaloes and its Relation to
Intramammary Infections, Parity, and Stage of Lactation
Kanchan Arya, Baljinder Kumar Bansal, Dhiraj Kumar Gupta, Sikh
Tejinder Singh.
Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University,
Ludhiana, India.
Objectives: Milk somatic cell count (SCC) is a key com-
ponent of regulations for milk quality and is an indicator of ud-
der health in dairy animals. The present study determines the
physiological level of milk SCC in buffaloes and explores its
relation to quarter infection, parity, and stage of lactation.
Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in
two parts. The first part of the study determined the physi-
ological levels and effect of quarter infection and parity on
the milk SCC in buffaloes. In this, the quarter foremilk (QFM)
and udder composite milk samples from ninety-one buffaloes
of different parities were analyzed for bacteriology (Microbial
Procedures of the National Mastitis Council) and SCC (using
somatic cell counter SomaScope Smart, DELTA Instruments,
The Netherland). The second part evaluated the effect of
stage of lactation on the milk SCC. Here, 39 freshly calved
buffaloes were enrolled and studied for quarter infection
and milk SCC at four different stages of lactation viz., fresh
calving (3-5 days of calving), early lactation (35-42 days),
mid-lactation (120-135 days) and late lactation (210-225
days). The health status of quarters was defined as per Inter-
national Dairy Federation criteria i.e. simultaneously consid-
ering the microbiology and SCC of QFM. The threshold value
of QFM SCC was taken as ≤100×103 cells/ml for defining the
healthy quarters The Data was stored in Microsoft Excel and
analyzed by Chi-square test (Fisher's Exact Test), ANOVA
with post HOC (Tuckey’s method), Spearman’s correlation,
t-Test and Logistic regression with backward elimination us-
ing SAS version 9.3 (SAS Institute, Cary, USA). The level of
significance was set at p < 0.05.
Results: The evaluation of quarter health in buffaloes un-
der study revealed 7.99% specific subclinical mastitis, 11.57%
nonspecific subclinical mastitis, and 7.71% latent infections.
72.73% of the quarters were found healthy. Animal wise,
20.88% of udders were positive for specific subclinical mas-
titis in at least one quarter. The average milk SCC in buffa-
loes was found 100×103 cells/ml (range 74-126) at the quarter
level and 105×103 cells/ml (range 58-151) at udder level. The
77% of buffaloes had SCC ≤100×103 cells/ ml, with 7% show-
ing >200×103 cells/ml. The milk SCC was found significantly
(p<0.05) higher in the infected quarter (356×103 cells/ml) than
in healthy quarters (52×103 cells/ml). The distribution of intra-
mammary infections (IMI) to milk SCC showed 9.59%, 20.51%
and 65.62% infections in quarters with QFM SCC of 0-100,
101-200 and > 200 ×103 cells/ml, respectively. The strepto-
cocci IMI resulted in highest milk SCC (mean 710×103 cells/
ml) followed by Staphylococcus aureus (464×103 cells/ml) and
coagulase-negative staphylococci (224×103 cells/ml) as com-
pared to 52×103 cell/ml of healthy uninfected quarters (p<0.01).
The corynebacteria infections initiated no significant reaction
(mean SCC 54×103 cells/ml). The milk SCC increased with the
advancing parity; average cell counts being 168×103 cells/ml
for 3-4th parity buffaloes as compared to 84×103 cells/ml for 2nd
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Udder Health and Mastitis
parity and 48×103 cells/ml for 1st parity animals (p<0.01). The
milk SCC showed a significant positive correlation of 0.30 with
the 305-day lactation milk yield (p< 0.01). The evaluation of
milk SCC viz.-a-viz. stage of lactation revealed  the average
milk SCC as 118×103 cells/ ml at calving, which decreased
to 69×103 cells/ml at 35-42 d (p<0.05), and then increased to
80×103 cells/ml in mid- and 94×103 cells/m in late- lactation.
The occurrence of quarter infections was minimum (10.25%)
in freshly calved animals, which increased to 21.15% in early
lactation, 22.91% in mid-lactation and 31.03% in late lactation
(Chi-square = 58.00, df = 03, p < 0.01).
Conclusions: Assessment of present results in buffaloes
in terms of our similar studies in HF×Sahiwal crossbred cows
under parallel dairy management exposes that buffaloes rela-
tively harbor fewer quarter infections and possess lower milk
SCC. Thus, the physiological threshold of milk SCC in buffa-
loes probably may be defined at 100×103 cells/ml and consid-
ered pathological when >200×103 cells/ ml.
Keywords: Buffalo, Milk Somatic Cell Count, Intramam-
mary Infection, Parity, Lactation.
UH-09
Selective dry cow therapy: the potential role of a novel
biomarker panel
Lorenzo Viora1, Theo Pepler2, Emily L. O'reilly2, Nicola Brady2, Ruth
N. Zadoks3, P. David Eckersall2.
1
University of Glasgow, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of
Glasgow, United Kingdom; 2Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health
and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and
Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, University of Glasgow, United
Kingdom; 3School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, University
of Sydney, University of Sydney, Australia.
Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate wheth-
er the combination of protein biomarkers will improve the di-
agnostic accuracy for selective dry cow therapy compared to
somatic cell count (SCC) and California mastitis test (CMT).
Material and Methods: Two commercial dairy farms (900
and 600 milking cows respectively) were enrolled in the study.
Quarters milk samples were collected aseptically from cows at
the time of dry-off based on CMT results to enable a case-con-
trol study design. Each sample was tested for SCC, standard
bacteriology combined with matrix-assisted laser desorption/
ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-ToF MS)
and protein concentrations of five potential biomarkers*.
Standard bacteriology wwas performed using blood agar
incubated at 37°C in aerobic conditions and examined after
24 hours. Plates without growth were considered negative for
mastitis-associated pathogens (bacteria absent) and those
with three or more morphotypes were considered contaminat-
ed and excluded from the analysis. Samples yielding one or
two morphotypes were considered indicative of infection and
isolates were submitted for species identification by matrix-as-
sisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spec-
trometry (MALDI-ToF MS).  The results from the MALDI-ToF
417
ORAL — Udder Health and Mastitis
MS were considered definitive.
The five biomarkers were combined in a classification tree
model to predict bacteria presence. Its performance was com-
pared to the SCC (≥ 200 000 cells/ml) and CMT results (> 0).
Sensitivity (Se), specificity (Sp) and accuracy in distinguishing
between bacteria presence and bacteria absent samples were
calculated.
Results: Of 209 quarter milk samples, 14 (6.8%) were
contaminated and excluded from the analysis. Of the remain-
ing 195 samples, 108 (55%) had bacteria present and 87
(45%) did not.
The Sp of the biomarker classification tree model (63%;
95% confidence interval: 53%-73%) was significantly great-
er than of SCC (39%; 30%-50%) or CMT (25%; 17%-35%).
The Se of the biomarker model (73%; 64%-81%) was similar
to that of SCC (79%; 70%-85%) and significantly lower than
for CMT (90%; 83%-94%). Accuracy of the biomarker model
(69%; 62%-75%) was not significantly different compared to
SCC (61%; 54%-68%) and CMT (61%; 54%-68%).
Conclusion: Selective dry cow therapy (DCT) is a treat-
ment strategy designed to reduce antimicrobial usage, with
selection largely based on SCC or clinical mastitis history,
which are used as proxies for current infection status. There
have been limited attempts to evaluate whether measuring in-
flammatory biomarkers in milk results in more accurate selec-
tion of infected cows for DCT.
We evaluated whether a combination of protein biomark-
ers in a classification tree model improved the diagnostic ac-
curacy compared to SCC and CMT. The biomarker model has
greater Sp at the cost of reduced Se.
Further investigations will show whether additional inflam-
matory biomarkers, used independently or in conjunction with
other data such as SCC, could refine decision making at dry-off.
Keywords: Selective dry cow therapy, biomarkers, antimi-
crobial reduction.
UH-10
Diversity of selected staphylococci and streptococci isolated
from milk samples in a dairy cow herd with low prevalences
Svenja Woudstra1, Nicole Wente2, Yanchao Zhang2, Stefanie
Leimbach2, Maya Katrin Gussmann1, Carsten Kirkeby1, Volker
Krömker1.
University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; 2University of
1
Applied Sciences and Arts Hannover, Hannover, Germany.
Background and objective: Most mastitis cases world-
wide are caused by staphylococci and streptococci. Farm-spe-
cific strategies for the prevention and control of intramammary
infections with these can be developed based on the results
from the regular microbiological analysis of milk samples from
clinical and subclinical mastitis cases. The dominant organ-
isms on a farm determine if the focus should be on improv-
ing milking practices or the hygiene in the cows´ environment.
This approach is based on the traditional categorization into
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
418
contagious pathogens (e.g. Staphylococcus (Staph.) aureus)
that are mainly transmitted during milking, and environmen-
tal pathogens (e.g. Streptococcus (Strep.) uberis) that have
their reservoirs in the environment. The diversity of a bacterial
species (i.e. number of different strains) in a herd is indicative
of the sources of infections. If the diversity is low, a common
source of infections is assumed (contagious transmission or
an environmental hotspot). When the diversity is high, inde-
pendent infection events are most probable. For some patho-
gens like Strep. dysgalactiae, it remains unclear if they spread
rather contagiously or if cows become infected from environ-
mental sources. Additionally, for some species (e.g. Strep.
uberis) the traditional categorization has been challenged in
recent decades. Furthermore, most studies have investigat-
ed the diversity of mastitis-causing pathogens in herds that
are experiencing mastitis outbreaks or an unsatisfactory ud-
der health situation. Therefore, the objective of the present
study was to describe the diversity of selected staphylococci
and streptococci isolated from milk samples in a herd with low
prevalences.
Material and methods: From June to October 2020, one
Swedish dairy cow herd was visited 10 times with 14-day inter-
vals. At each visit, quarter foremilk samples from all lactating
cows were collected aseptically according to DVG guidelines
and transported immediately to the laboratory [1]. From each
sample, 10µl were streaked onto esculin blood agar. Microbial
growth was evaluated after 24 and 48 hours incubation at 37°C.
Preliminary species identification was based on morphological
and biochemical characteristics, and final species identifica-
tion conducted by MALDI-TOF MS. For all isolates identified
as Staph. aureus, Staph. epidermidis, Strep. dysgalactiae or
Strep. uberis, strain typing based on RAPD-PCR was conduct-
ed. All isolates with the same banding pattern were considered
to be the same RAPD-type. A quarter was considered infected
if at least 100 colony-forming units per milliliter were detected
and infections ended when at least two consecutive samples
were negative for the respective strain type.
Results: In total, 8056 milk samples from 263 cows were
collected. From 82 (1.0%), 91 (1.1%), 106 (1.3%) and 114
(1.4%) of all samples Staph. aureus, Staph. epidermidis, Strep.
dysgalactiae and Strep. uberis were isolated, respectively.
For Staph. aureus, five different RAPD-types were found. Of
all Staph. aureus infections (n=48), 81% (n=39) were due to
the same strain. All other strains caused maximum 8% of all
Staph. aureus infections. For Staph. epidermidis, 45 different
strains were isolated. None of these strains caused more than
5% of all infections (n=55). Seven different strains of Strep.
dysgalactiae were isolated. One of these caused 50% (n=18)
of all (n=36) observed infections. Two other strains were iso-
lated from 19% (n=7) and 11% (n=4) of the Strep. dysgalactiae
infections. All other strains caused maximum 8% of all Strep.
dysgalactiae infections. The Strep. uberis isolates belonged
to 18 different RAPD-types. 24% (n=10) of all Strep. uberis
infections were caused by the same RAPD-type and another
15% (n=6) and 12% (n=5) were caused by two other RAPD-
types. All other Strep. uberis strains caused less than 10% of
all infections.
Conclusions: For Staph. aureus, Strep. dysgalactiae and
Strep. uberis, dominating strains were isolated. This confirms
the contagious nature of Staph. aureus even in this herd with a
low occurrence and indicates that also Strep. uberis and Strep.

dysgalactiae infections can spread mainly contagiously or via
environmental hotspots. In contrast, no dominating strain was
found for Staph. epidermidis. Therefore, most infections with
Staph. epidermidis seemed to have occurred due to indepen-
dent infection events.
Acknowledgements: This work was funded by FORMAS
(Swedish Research Council for Sustainable Development,
Stockholm, Sweden; grant numbers: 2019-02276 and 2019-
02111).
References:
1. DVG. (2018). Leitlinien zur Labordiagnostik der Masti-
tis - Probenahme und mikrobiologische Untersuchung
[Guidelines for laboratory diagnostics of mastitis -
Sampling and mikrobiological investigation]. Deutsche
Veterinärmedizinische Gesellschaft e.V, Giessen, Ger-
many. ISBN: 978-3-86345-454-8.
Keywords: bovine mastitis, strain diversity, Staphylococ-
cus spp., Streptococcus spp., mastitis pathogen categorization.
UH-12
Applying internal teat sealants at drying off; does full versus
partial insertion of the tube cannula matter?
Cherry Bedford1, Philippa Mahen1, Kath Aplin2, George Oikonomou1.
1
Livestock Health and Welfare, Institute of Veterinary Sciences,
University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom; 2Boehringer
Ingelheim Animal Health UK Ltd, Bracknell, United Kingdom.
Objectives: Internal teat sealant  (ITS) and intramamma-
ry antibiotic application tubes  can  often  be used  with either
a short or a long insertion cannula. Leelahapongsathon et al
(2016) found that intramammary infection in early postpartum
was significantly associated with full cannula insertion for the
administration of antibiotic dry cow therapy (ADCT). There is
a lack of published work on the effect of using full (FI) or par-
tial (PI) cannula insertion for the administration of ITS. Our ran-
domised control trial aimed to test the hypothesis that FI could
increase the risk of introducing new infections into the udder
leading to higher somatic cell counts (SCC) post-calving and
a greater incidence of mastitis post calving comparing to PI.
Materials and methods: Three pedigree Holstein UK
dairy farms were selected to take part in the study over a pe-
riod of six months. The farmers selected which cows were to
be dried off each week and dictated whether each cow would
receive internal teat sealant only (ITS, Ubroseal® Boehringer
Ingelheim Animal Health UK Ltd) or intramammary antibiot-
ic and  internal teat sealant (AB+ITS). Cows were then ran-
domised to receive ITS or AB+ITS via either FI or PI of the
cannula/e. The facilitator was blinded to the insertion type until
the cow was enrolled. One farm opted to only allow enrolment
of cows receiving ITS as the antibiotic tubes used at dry off did
not have the option of partial cannula insertion. The facilitator
was trained in best practise aseptic technique for drying-off
cows by three different experts in the field. All farms milk
recorded monthly and the SCC data collected was collated
along with incidence of mastitis within 30 days of calving. Cure
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Udder Health and Mastitis
rates (cows with SCC>200K cells/ml before drying off having a
first test of SCC<200k cells/ ml after calving) and new infection
rates (cows with SCC<200K cells/ml before drying off having
a first test of SCC>200k cells/ ml after calving) were calculat-
ed from these data. Univariable and multivariable regression
analyses were employed for data analysis.
Results: 287 cows were included in the study, 47% of the
cows received full insertion of the cannula/e (n = 135), 30%
of the cows received AB+ITS as allocated by the farmers (n
= 86). There was no evidence to allow us to reject the null
hypothesis; there was no difference in post-calving SCC, new
infection rates, cure rates, or mastitis incidence when compar-
ing FI versus PI. With regards to cows with low SCC before
drying off, cows receiving PI were 1.01 times as likely to have
high SCC post calving as cows receiving FI (95% confidence
interval (CI): 0.42 to 2.46, P = 0.98). Cows in their second or
greater lactation and cows calving in the Spring or Summer
were more likely to acquire a new infection compared to cows
in their first lactation and cows calving in the Autumn respec-
tively. Factors associated with a high SCC post calving were:
calving season, infection status before drying off, and lactation
group; treatment (PI vs FI) was not statistically significantly
associated with this outcome either. PI versus FI was also not
associated with the cure rate post calving (cows receiving PI
were 1.45 times as likely to have low SCC post calving as
cows receiving FI; 95% CI: 0.30 to 7.06, P = 0.65). Cows in
their first lactation were 9.86 times more likely to cure an in-
fection comparing to older cows (95% CI: 0.83 to 117.62, P =
0.07). Cows in their second or greater lactation were 5.23
times more likely to be diagnosed with clinical mastitis the first
month after calving comparing to cows in their first  lactation
(95% CI: 1.34 to 20.31, P = 0.02). Treatment (PI vs FI) was not
associated with mastitis incidence.
Conclusions: In conclusion this study showed that when
the correct aseptic technique is used for drying cows off there
is no difference in post-calving infection status or mastitis inci-
dence when comparing FI versus PI.
Acknowledgements: This study was funded by Boehring-
er Ingelheim Animal Health UK Ltd. The funder was involved in
the study design but not in data collection and analysis.
References:
Leelahapongsathon  K, T.  Piroon, W.  Chaisri, and W  Su-
riyasathaporn. 2016.  Asian  Australas. J. Anim. Sci. Vol. 29,
No. 4 : 580-585 
Keywords: Udder health, drying off, internal teat sealants,
mastitis, somatic cell count.
UH-13
Risk of clinical or subclinical mastitis following infusion of
an internal teat sealant alone at the end of lactation in low
somatic cell count cows
Scott McDougall1, John Williamson2, Khaled Gohary1, Jane Lacy-
Hulbert2.
Cognosco, Morrinsville, New Zealand; 2DairyNZ, Hamilton, New
1
Zealand.
419
ORAL — Udder Health and Mastitis
Objectives: To identify risk factors for subclinical and clin-
ical mastitis in dairy cows in the lactation following treatment
with a bismuth subnitrate internal teat sealant (ITS) alone.
Methods: Cows (n=1,614 in total) from 36 herds were se-
lected at random from within each herd from those cows with a
maximum herd test somatic cell count (SCC) of <250,000 cells/
mL and having had no history of clinical mastitis in the current
lactation. In the last week of lactation, cows were assessed for
the presence of teat end hyperkeratosis, milk samples were
collected from each quarter following aseptic teat end prepara-
tion for microbiology, and a tube of ITS was infused into each
quarter after the last milking. Herd owners (n=22) monitored
for clinical mastitis in the first 60 days of the subsequent lacta-
tion. Herd-level risk factors including average bulk milk SCC in
the last month of lactation, lactational cow-case clinical masti-
tis incidence, and cow-level risk factors including age, breed,
presence of a major pathogen intramammary infection, milk
yield at the last herd test of the lactation, and maximum SCC
across lactation were considered as potential risk factors in
multilevel binary logistic regression analyses.
Results: A total of 8.9 (95%CI=7.5-10.4) % of cows had
subclinical mastitis as defined as a SCC >200,000 cells/mL
at the first herd test in the subsequent lactation. Animals with
a major pathogen infection at dry-off were more likely to have
subclinical mastitis in the next lactation than those without a
major pathogen (OR=4.7 (95%CI=2.29-9.65; p<0.001), ani-
mals >3-years-old were more like have a subclinical mastitis
than 3-years-olds (OR=3.16 (95%CI=1.70-5.88), p<0.001),
there was a positive association between cow-level milk
yield at the last herd test of lactation and subclinical mastitis
(OR=1.07 (95% CI=1.01-1.13), p=0.02), and there was a posi-
tive association between the natural log of the maximum SCC
in the preceding lactation and subclinical mastitis in the next
lactation (OR=1.54 (95%CI=1.13-2.10), p=0.01). The overall
clinical mastitis incidence was 3.1 (95%CI=2.1-4.4)% in the
first 60 days after calving in the next lactation. Cows from
herds with a lactational cow-case incidence of >0.24 were at
higher risk of clinical mastitis than cows from herds with a lac-
tational cow-case incidence of <0.158, with cows from herds
with cow case-clinical mastitis incidence intermediate not be-
ing different from these two categories. Cows yielding >15 L/
day at the last herd test were more likely to be diagnosed with
clinical mastitis than cows yielding <10 L/day, or 12.1 to 15 L/
day, with those cows yielding 10 to 12 L/day intermediate be-
tween these categories. There was a positive linear associa-
tion between the log maximum SCC in the preceding lactation
and the risk of clinical mastitis (OR=1.96 (95%CI=1.09-3.54),
p=0.03).
Conclusions: Both herd-and cow-level risk factors were
identified for subclinical and clinical mastitis in the lactation
following the infusion of an ITS. Hence cow selection criteria
for infusion of ITS should consider herd level cow-case clinical
mastitis incidence, cow-level milk yield at last herd test, as well
as individual cow SCC.
Keywords: Internal teat sealant, mastitis, risk factors.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
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UH-14
Impact of clinical mastitis on the reproductive performance
of eight Spanish dairy herds
Demetrio Herrera Mateo1, Lorenzo Fraile2, Oriol Franquesa1, Laura
Hurtado1, Gemma Benaiges1.
Q-Llet, Seva, Spain; 2Facultad de Veterinaria-UdL, Lleida, Spain.
1
Objective: The objective of this study was to determine
if cows experiencing clinical mastitis within the period calv-
ing-conception, had worse reproductive performance than
cows with no clinical mastitis during this period.
Material and Methods: Data from dry off and pregnant
cows were collected in eight commercial Spanish dairy herds
from September-18 to January-20. Data collected for every
animal was lactation number, calving date, conception date,
mastitis occurrence and mastitis date, days in milk to first clin-
ical mastitis case and number of inseminations per pregnancy.
A total of 4763 animals were analyzed, 443 cows with masti-
tis before conception and 4320 with no clinical mastitis before
conception as a control group.
Calving-conception interval (CCI) and number of insemi-
nations (NI) per pregnancy were used as indicators to com-
pare reproductive performance between the two groups.
The association between the presence of mastitis with
continuous non-normally distributed variables (CCI and NI)
was analyzed using a non-parametric test (Wilcoxon test) us-
ing SAS V.9.1.3 (SAS institute Inc., Cary, NC).
Results: The average calving conception interval was
39.7 days longer for cows suffering mastitis (>1 cases) before
conception than non-affected ones (P<0.001).
Cows suffering at least one clinical mastitis case before
conception need on average 1.1 more inseminations to get
pregnant than cows with no clinical mastitis before conception
(P<0.001).
Conclusions: As shown in previous scientific studies, re-
sults are indicating a strong association between the occur-
rence of clinical mastitis before conception and the overall
reproductive performance in Spanish commercial dairy herds.
Keywords: Mastitis, reproduction.
UH-15
Study of the effects of the administration of a phytogenic
core on the decrease of milk production at dry-off in dairy
cows
Plichart Gaetan1, Gwydion Pinon2, Raphaël Guatteo3.
Biodevas Laboratoires, Savigné l'Evêque, France;
1
Vet&Sphère,
2
Quintin, France; 3Oniris, Nantes, France.
Objective: Drying off, defined as the cessation of milking
at the end of lactation in dairy cows, is an essential step allow-
ing mammary involution, renewal of mammary epithelial cells
and even the treatment of persistent intramammary infections.

However, it can lead to complications such as mammary ede-
ma, source of pain and discomfort, and milk losses, which can
lead to mastitis. One of the main risk factors for such compli-
cations is milk yield at drying-off. Reducing milk yield quick-
ly should prevent these complications and improve welfare,
especially for cows still producing more than 20 kg of milk at
drying off.
Materials and methods: The study, approved by of an
ethical committee, consisted of a randomized double-blind,
multicenter trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a phytogen-
ic complementary feed on the reduction of milk yield in cows
during the two days following drying off, compared to a place-
bo. Based on the hypothesis of a 50% reduction in milk loss,
the most visible factor for a farmer, for a statistical power of
90%, with a precision of 5%, one hundred and six Prim'Hol-
stein cows producing an average of 21.9 kg of milk on the
day of drying off, located in 4 farms in Sarthe (France), were
randomly allocated into 2 groups. Cows in group A received
orally after their last milking 100 mL of a placebo while cows in
group B received 100 mL of phytogenic extracts composed of
artichoke (Cynara scolimus) and chaste tree (Vitex agnus-cas-
tus) (Parlac®, Biodevas Laboratoires).
Milk yield was evaluated indirectly before the last milking
(D0), then 24 (D1) and 48h (D2) afterwards by two param-
eters: the mechanical nociceptive threshold measured with
an algometer reflecting the mammary engorgement and the
morphology of the udder, evaluated by the distance between
the teats. Milk loss and rumination (through rumination collar
system) time were also described and compared. The statis-
tical unit was the cow. A Student's t test was performed on
nociceptive threshold and rumination time, a mixed model with
random effect was performed on teat distance and a Chi² test
was performed on the percentage of cows with milk loss.
Results: At D0, no difference was found in the character-
istics of the animals of the 2 batches, confirming the random-
ization as effective. At D2, the nociceptive threshold was not
significantly different between the 2 groups. At D1, cows in
group B tended to have a lower rear teat distance than those
in group A (50.56 mm vs. 60.67, p-value = 0.1). The variation
in rear teat distance was +18.34 mm for cows in group A and
+12.20 mm for those in group B (p-value = 0.071). The total
distance between all teats was significantly lower for group B
(403 mm vs. 445 mm for group A, p-value = 0.035) reflecting
less mammary engorgement. The percentage of cows with
milk loss was significantly lower for group B (23% vs. 47%
for group A, p-value = 0.017). In both groups, rumination time
decreased, but less for cows in group B compared to group A,
with -18 min and -52 min of decrease respectively, p-value =
0.06.
Conclusion: This study showed that PARLAC® reduc-
es milk loss in the 2 days following drying off, reducing then
mammary engorgement, and improving the well-being of dairy
cows (rumination less affected). It provides a natural solution
for farmers who implement a sudden drying off and wish to
reduce the milk production of high-yielding cows to limit the
risk of complications.
Keywords: Dry-off, phytogenics, dairy, bovine.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Udder Health and Mastitis
UH-16
MALDI-TOF Bacterial Subtyping for the Rapid Detection
of Methicillin-resistant  Staphylococcus aureus  in Milk
Bacteriology
Sara Fusar Poli1, Martina Penati1, Valentina Monistero1, Clara
Locatelli1, Renata Piccinini1, Paolo Moroni2, Maria Filippa Addis1.
University of Milan, Lodi, Italy; 2Cornell University, Ithaca, NY,
1
United States.
Objectives: Staphylococcus aureus is one of the main
pathogens involved in the development of contagious bovine
mastitis and its presence is usually more associated with cas-
es of subclinical than clinical mastitis. This pathogen shows
low recovery rates, also due to antimicrobial resistance. A high
priority has been given to the spread of methicillin-resistant
S. aureus (MRSA), as it can have important implications for
animal but also human health. Most of the MRSA strains pres-
ent the mecA gene, held in a staphylococcal cassette chromo-
some (SCCmec) and acquired by horizontal gene transfer. The
mecA gene is responsible for the synthesis of an alternative
penicillin-binding protein (PBP2A), which is characterised by a
low affinity for beta-lactam antibiotics, but also associated with
a lower affinity to other antimicrobial classes. MRSA isolates
are defined as multidrug-resistant. Recently, matrix-assisted
laser desorption ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry
(MALDI-TOF MS) has become the reference method for the
identification of microbial species and can also be applied for
the detection of antibiotic resistance. The aim of this study
was to assess the performance of the Bruker MALDI Biotyper
(MBT) system's subtyping module for the rapid identification
of MRSA isolated from milk. After the species identification of
S. aureus, the subtyping module identifies MRSA by detecting
a peak at 2413 ± 2 m/z, which corresponds to PSM-mec, a
small phenol-soluble modulin that is encoded in the SCCmec
locus. We compared phenotypic and genotypic analyses of S.
aureus strains with results obtained with the MBT subtyping
module to establish the diagnostic accuracy of this method in
routine practice.
Materials and methods: A retrospective study was car-
ried out on 63 isolates of S. aureus from 27 different farms,
collected during the diagnostic activity in the microbiology
laboratory of the Department of Veterinary Medicine at the
University of Milan. These isolates were previously classified
as phenotypically resistant to methicillin based on susceptibil-
ity to oxacillin, a specific active substance routinely used for
screening beta-lactam antibiotic resistance in S. aureus iso-
lates. S. aureus strains were genotypically investigated for the
presence of nuc and mecA genes by PCR. Species-level iden-
tification of S. aureus was confirmed by MALDI-TOF MS with
the MBT system using the direct transfer method; a log (score)
≥ 2.0 is the threshold for species-level identification. All iden-
tified S. aureus isolates with a score ≥ 2.0 were immediately
processed by the subtyping module of the MBT Compass soft-
ware to detect a specific peak at 2413 ± 2 m/z corresponding
to the PSM-mec.
Results: Genotypic analysis of 63 S. aureus isolates
showed that all were positive for nuc, which is recognised as
highly specific for S. aureus. Phenotypic resistance to oxacil-
lin was confirmed by mecA gene carriage. All the 63 original
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ORAL — Udder Health and Mastitis
isolates were identified as S. aureus with a score ≥ 2.0 and
therefore processed with the subtyping module, but only 11
strains were subtyped as 'presumptive PSM-positive MRSA'.
The MBT detected only 17.5% of all MRSA identified by stan-
dard susceptibility tests and molecular analysis. The sensitiv-
ity reported was in agreement with previous results. In partic-
ular, the PSM-mec peptide detected by MALDI is only present
in the SCCmec II, III and VIII cassette types.
Conclusion: MALDI-TOF MS is a rapid and accurate tech-
nique for bacterial identification, comparing to laborious and
time-consuming biochemical tests and reliable but expensive
PCR-based methods. On the other hand, its application to de-
tect methicillin resistance in bovine S. aureus isolates is affect-
ed by limited sensitivity. However, it can be a valuable warning
tool for the presence of MRSA in the herd, as this information
is provided by the MBT subtyping module simultaneously with
the identification of S. aureus without requiring further user in-
tervention, sample processing, or additional materials. Future
studies will be required to assess its specificity.
Keywords: Mastitis, Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA,
MALDI-TOF.
UH-17
Test characteristics of differential cell counts to identify
subclinical intramammary infections estimated by Bayesian
latent class analysis
Tine Van Werven1, Steven Sietsma2, Mirjam Nielen1, Gerrit Koop1.
Utrecht University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht,
1 low Se (0.37) and PCR, which lacked Sp (0.51). For diagnos-
Netherlands; 2University Farm Animal Practice, Harmelen,
Netherlands.
Objectives: Prudent use of antibiotics requires that the
treatment of subclinical mastitis is based on the treatment of
cows with a confirmed intramammary infection (IMI). Because
subclinical mastitis is defined as an infection in absence of
visible changes in milk or udder appearance, the use of a di-
agnostic test is needed. The three most commonly used tests
are: 1) somatic cell count (SCC), 2) bacteriological culture (BC)
and 3) polymerase chain reaction (PCR). All these tests are
imperfect, and lack either sensitivity (BC) or specificity (PCR)
or both (SCC). In this study, we investigate the performance
of VETSCAN DC-Q™, an automated differential leukocyte de-
vice, which uses the different leukocyte counts in combination
with the total SCC to diagnose IMI. A model that accounts for
classification error is the latent class model, which allows es-
timation of the sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) of different
tests assuming no gold standard test.
The objective of our study is to determine the test charac-
teristics of the VETSCAN DC-Q™ to detect quarter level IMI
in combination with quarter level SCC (QSCC) at a threshold
of 100.000 cells/mL, BC and PCR in cows with a new elevated
cow level SCC just after calving (≤ 30 days), early lactation (>
30 days) and in cows with an elevated SCC in the last 4 weeks
before drying off.
Material & Methods: The VETSCAN DC-QTM has three
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
422
different settings based on DIM of the animals to be tested. To
validate the three different settings of the VETSCAN DC-QTM
a total of 449 cows, i.e. 1796 milk samples on quarter level,
were collected on 8 Dutch dairy herds. Inclusion criteria were a
4-weekly DHI- participation and high new IMI rate. Cows were
selected on first elevated cow level SCC (≥ 200.000 cells/
mL) in current lactation or with elevated SCC within 4 weeks
before dry off. Quarter samples were taken aseptically be-
fore cluster attachment, within one week after DHI sampling.
Within 6 hours, these samples were split and QSCC (Delaval
DCC) and VETSCAN DC-Q™ test were performed, BC and
PCR samples were stored at -18°C and these tests were later
performed at two different laboratories. Bayesian latent class
models were built to determine Se and Sp of the 4 tests, as-
suming no gold standard test.
Results: Results of BC and PCR were classified as minor
or major pathogens. Of the 1794 samples analysed 23% test-
ed positive by BC, 42% tested positive by QSCC at a threshold
of 100.000 cells/mL (QSCC>100), 8% was positive for a major
pathogen in PCR, 68% was positive for a major and/or a mi-
nor pathogen in PCR, and 41% tested positive by VETSCAN
DC-Q™. The most commonly isolated pathogens by BC were
Streptococcus uberis (8% of all samples) and Coagulase neg-
ative Staphylococcus spp. (6%).
Results from the latent class analysis model that estimated
Se and Sp of identifying IMI caused by major or minor path-
ogens showed VETSCAN DC-QTMto have a Se varying from
0.64-0.90 and a Sp of 0.63-0.86 for the three different lactation
periods. These estimates were almost similar to the test char-
acteristics of standard QSCC>100. Overall test characteristics
were substantially better than those from BC, which had very
ing IMI caused only by major pathogens, the Se of the VET-
SCAN DC-QTM varied between 0.90-0.98, and Sp for “Early
Lactation” and “30+ DIM” was 0.71 and 0.76, respectively, but
Sp dropped to 0.27 in the category “Dry Off”.
Conclusion: Altogether, our results suggest that the VET-
SCAN DC-Q™ has good test characteristics for diagnosing
intramammary infections, but the added value over an undif-
ferentiated QSCC measurement remains to be demonstrated.
Usability of the VETSCAN DC-QTM will depend on the goal
of the test. For screening cows with new IMI in early lacta-
tion in order to treat infections before they become clinical or
chronic, it is a useful and convenient tool, with fair to near ex-
cellent Se and Sp at a quarter-level. For selecting cows at the
end of lactation for selective dry cow therapy (SDCT) based
on the presence of only major pathogens, the results of the
VETSCAN DC-QTM might lead to a higher use of antibiotics
than necessary, because of the low Sp.
Keywords: Differential cell count; dairy; subclinical masti-
tis; Bayesian latent class analysis.

UH-18
CellCheck Dry Cow Consults-supporting the adoption of
selective dry cow therapy in Ireland
Finola Mc Coy1, Catherine McAloon2, Michelle McGrath1, Eoin
Ryan2, Javier Caballero Villalobos3.
1
Animal Health Ireland, Carrick-on-Shannon, Republic of Ireland;
2
University College Dublin, Dublin, Republic of Ireland; 3Universidad
de Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain.
Objectives: While blanket dry cow therapy has been com-
monplace in Ireland for many years, the recent European Vet-
erinary Medicines Regulation (2019/6) means that preventive
antibiotic usage in groups of animals, including dairy cows
at the end of their lactation, is no longer acceptable. Hence,
adopting a selective approach to dry cow treatment will require
both a change in mindset and practice, for many Irish farmers
and their prescribing veterinary practitioners. To facilitate this,
CellCheck, the Irish national mastitis control programme, de-
veloped a Dry Cow Consult (DCC). The objective of this DCC
was to enable farmers to engage with their nominated vet,
to develop farm-specific selective dry cow treatment (SDCT)
plans, where appropriate.
Materials and methods: DCCs have been delivered as
part of the Targeted Advisory Service on Animal Health (TA-
SAH) funded through the Rural Development Plan 2014-2022.
Veterinary practitioners must first complete relevant training,
delivered through the CellCheck programme, to be eligible to
deliver a consult. To be considered eligible for the free service
a dairy farmer must meet the following criteria:
• Average bulk milk tank somatic cell count (SCC) for the
previous 12 months <200,000 cells/mL.
• At least 4 whole herd milk recordings in the previous
12 months.
• Members of HerdPlus, which is the Irish Cattle Breed-
ing Federation’s (ICBF) information service, providing
herd-owners with performance data.
The purpose of the eligibility criteria was to identify farms
that have some evidence of good mastitis control, as well
as the necessary information and records to support deci-
sion-making and planning. During the three-hour consult, milk
recording results and farm records are reviewed, as well as
current practices when drying off cows and dry cow manage-
ment, to help identify and resolve any potential risks asso-
ciated with a selective dry cow strategy. Animals potentially
suitable for receiving internal teat sealant only at drying off are
identified. Participants of a DCC were invited to register for a
Dry Cow Review the following year. Since 2018, 933 Consults
and 268 Reviews have been completed.
Whole herd milk recording results, for the last recording
before drying off and the first recording of the following lacta-
tion, were available for participating herds. Treatment records
(both dry cow and in-lactation) were available, although were
not complete for all participating herds. Telephone interviews
were carried out with the participants of the consult service in
2018 (n=19). Audio recordings were professionally transcribed
verbatim and analysed qualitatively using an inductive themat-
ic analysis.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Udder Health and Mastitis
Results: Quantitative analysis showed that, although there
was a slight increase in early lactation SCC in the group of
cows treated exclusively with teat sealer at drying off, average
SCC levels remained low (<200,000 cells/ml) and similar to
those of cows treated with intramammary antibiotics at drying
off. The CellCheck-recommended selection criteria for admin-
istering teat seal only at drying off were not always followed,
with some farmers still including a small number of cows with
a history of high SCC (>200,000 cells/ml) in this group. Re-
sults also showed that, while a considerable number of an-
imals from each herd were eligible for SDCT, farmers were
still reluctant to fully engage in this practice and maintained a
cautious attitude.
The qualitative analysis identified 6 barriers and 6 facilita-
tors to implementing SDCT. Barriers to SDCT included a sig-
nificant fear of a resulting rise in mastitis incidence, infrastruc-
tural limitations, a perceived lack of availability of preventative
advice, as well as peer influence. Facilitators to implementing
SDCT included adopting a gradual approach to SDCT, regula-
tory pressure, high standards of farm hygiene, education and
the use of targeted veterinary consults. Despite cited negative
influences, peer influence can be utilised to encourage the
farming community to change this particular behaviour.
Conclusions: SDCT has proven to be effective when used
in cows with an adequate udder health status. While selective
dry cow therapy is now a requirement under current Veterinary
Medicines Regulations, for most dairy farmers in Ireland it will
require a change in mindset and practice. Educating farmers
on good drying-off routines is essential in order to build con-
fidence and create awareness about the safety of moving to
SDCT. Though there are challenges to face, engagement with
professional support will be important and can be successfully
facilitated through structures such as the Dry Cow Consult.
Keywords: Drying off, selective dry cow therapy, be-
haviour change.
UH-20
Gene expression of the teat canal epithelium in dry and
lactating cows
Shirli Notcovich1, Norman Williamson1, Kristene Gedye1, David
Wheeler2, Axel Heiser3, Jimena Yapura1, Ynte Schukken4, Cord
Heuer5.
1
Massey University, School of Veterinary Sciences, New Zealand;
2
Department of Primary Industries, NSW, Australia; 3AgResearch,
Palmerston North, New Zealand; 4Wageningen University, GD Animal
Health, Netherlands; 5Massey University, Epi Centre, New Zealand.
Objectives: A keratin plug is formed in the teat canal
during the dry period and protects the mammary gland against
infections. However, mastitis incidence during the early dry
period is high. Information about the variation of gene expres-
sion in the teat canal epithelium could provide insights into the
physiology of the keratin plug formation during the early dry
period.
The objective of this study was to identify differences in
423
ORAL — Udder Health and Mastitis
gene expression in teat canal biopsy samples obtained at dif-
ferent time points during the early dry period and early lacta-
tion.
Materials and methods: In a first study (Experiment 1),
the gene expression of teat canal samples from five cows
in late lactation to early dry period were analysed. Samples
from Day 0 (dry off day) and Day 11 of the dry period were
compared using RNA-Seq. Genes differentially expressed be-
tween Day 0 and Day 11 samples were selected for further
analysis. The RNA-Seq results were used to select 42 rele-
vant genes including nine keratin genes of interest that were
analysed for variation of gene expression in Experiment 2 by
Nanostring nCounter. Repeated teat canal biopsy samples ob-
tained from eight cows on days 0, 7, and 21 of the dry period,
and on approximately days 10 and 25 after calving (Day 70
and 90) were also analysed. Oral mucosa samples were taken
at the same time-points to serve as controls.
Results: Experiment 1 identified 36 differentially ex-
pressed genes of the teat canal epithelium at dry off (Day
0) and Day 11. Twenty-two of the genes were downregulat-
ed. Gene ontology enrichment analyses revealed that these
genes were mainly related to binding, adherence, and RNA
transcription factors. Analysis of individual gene functions
showed that they were genes involved in mitosis and immune
response pathways. Results from Experiment 2 showed dif-
ferent patterns of expression of the genes between the teat
canal and the oral tissue (control) over time. Genes NR4R,
KRT17, CSRP2, KIF23, TRPS1, LOC107131159, and TFPI2
were downregulated 7 days after drying off whereas RBB-
P8NL, PKIB, MARKS, TLR5, BAZ1A, IRX3, KRT4, PADI1,
PENK, RND3, SERPINA1, SYT17 only presented differences
after calving (p<0.05) in the teat tissue. The expression levels
of the genes in a comparison of the results of both methods
(Illumina and Nanostring) coincided, suggesting a decrease
in gene expression after drying off in the teat canal related
to cellular functions such as binding, adhesion, mitosis and
immune response.
Conclusion: Modern gene expression analysis of the ex-
periments reported in this study suggests that cell proliferation
and immune response of epithelial tissue in the teat canal de-
crease during the early dry period and there is a major reacti-
vation of gene expression after calving. The pathways affect-
ed might contribute to the higher incidence of mastitis during
the early dry period. To our knowledge, this is the first study
to investigate changes in gene expression of the teat canal
epithelium during the early dry and lactating period. Further
detailed studies on the physiology of the teat canal and keratin
plug formation would be required for developing strategies to
improve the immune response of cows against mastitis in the
early dry period with the aim of decreasing the incidence of
mammary infections.
Keywords: Keratin plug, dry off period, gene expression,
teat canal.
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UH-21
Early detection of mastitits using ultrasonographic teat and
udder tissue changes and measuring echogenicity using an
innovative method
Omranjit Singh, Dhiraj Kumar Gupta, Swaran Singh, B.K. Bansal.
Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University,
Ludhiana, India.
Objective: Traditionally, the echogenicity of a tissue is ex-
pressed as anechoic, hypoechoic isoechoic and hyperechoic.
However, this method is very subjective. So, a new method
was devised to assess the level of echogenicity of a tissue with
the help of software ImageJ. As mastitis is of high economic
importance early diagnosis is necessary and USG can help in
early diagnosis by measuring the changes in teat and udder
tissue. So, the experiment was done to measure echogenicity
of infected udder tissue and to evaluate the ultrasonographic
changes due to intra-mammary infection of dairy cows.
Materials and Methods: Ultrasonography was conducted
just before milking and quarter health status was determined
based on milk SCC and bacteriological findings to determine
the udder and teat tissue changes with respect to quarter
health status. The ultrasound scans of teat structure were per-
formed with a portable ultrasound scanning system (Sonosite
M-Turbo) using a 10-5 MHz linear transducer by water bath
technique or cup method. The teat tissue measurements
were later done using the software ImageJ. The USG picture
of udder tissue captured in RGB format was converted into
greyscale (8-bit) format by using the same software. And in
greyscale there are 256 shades ranging from pure black (0) to
pure white (255). Division was done into 8 Grades(Grade1-8)
, so that grade 1 has pixels ranging from 0 to 31, grade 2
had pixels ranging from shade 32-63 and so on till grade had
shade 224 to 255.The software was used for the first time for
the measurement of echogenicity.
A total of 32 apparently healthy lactating HF crossbred
dairy cows, having 121 functional teats, were ultrasonograph-
ically scanned at university dairy farm. Quarter foremilk sam-
ples were aseptically collected and immediately transferred to
the laboratory. Ultrasonographic readings such as teat canal
length (TCL), teat cistern diameter (CD), teat wall thickness
(TWT), overall teat diameter (OTD), the teat diameter at the
level of the Furstenberg rosette (FTD) and associated chang-
es in udder were recorded. The isolation and identification
of microbial organisms from milk samples was done as per
standard microbial procedures of National Mastitis Council
(Brown et al 1969). Bromothymol blue (BTB) paper test, Cal-
ifornia Mastitis Test (CMT), electrical conductivity and pH of
milk were performed. The analysis of milk samples for somatic
cell count (SCC) (Delta Instruments, The Netherlands) was
also done.
Results: Upon comparison of teat tissue measurements
in relation to quarter health status, the TCL and CD were ob-
served to be significantly increased in specific mastitis quar-
ters compared to that of healthy ones. While TWT increased
in quarters with latent infection and specific mastitis compared
to healthy ones. The BTB score was significantly different in
both non-specific mastitis and specific mastitis quarters, when

compared to both healthy and latent infection quarters. Sim-
ilar observations were noted with CMT score, EC, pH and
Log10SCC values. The TWT was found to be significantly more
in quarters with SCC 5-10 lac cells/ml of milk and in quarters
with SCC > 10 lac, when compared with quarters having <2 lac
and SCC 2-5 lac /ml of milk. The TCL, TWT and FTD were sig-
nificantly more and CD less in infected teats in comparison to
non-infected ones. Log10SCC and CMT were significantly pos-
itively correlated with TWT and negatively with CD. During the
measurement of echogenicity it was noted that pixels of higher
grades (more echogenicity) i.e. G7 and G8 were absent from
healthy quarters. And mean Log10G1 was significantly lesser
and Log10G3 significantly higher for quarters with specific SCM
thus suggesting that the amount of normal tissue (less echo-
genic) reduced due to infection and the echogenicity was also
increased. The amount of pixels in G5 was significantly lesser
in healthy and specific mastitic quarters as compared to quar-
ters with latent infection.
Conclusion: It can be concluded from the results that
teat tissue changes can be detected in sub-clinically affected
teats with the help of ultrasonography and Echographic mea-
surements of teat were well correlated with milk inflammato-
ry parameters so, they can be taken into consideration while
assessing for infection. Grading, as indicated by our findings,
can be used to measure echogenicity. The data is small, how-
ever with further valuation this technique can be standardized
for better accuracy.
Keywords: Ultrasonography, teat, udder, tissue changes,
echogenicity.
UH-22
The potential of intramammary administered cephapirin
and cephalonium to select for ESBL-producing E. coli in the
bovine gut and in dairy manure
David Speksnijder1, Nina Kusters1, Arjen Timmerman1, Jantijn
Swinkels2, Pleun Penterman2, Volker Krömker3, Andrew Bradley4,
Nadine Botteldoorn5, Aldert Zomer1.
1
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht,
Netherlands; 2MSD Animal Health, Boxmeer, Netherlands;
3
Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of
Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; 4Quality Milk Management
Services Ltd, Easton, United Kingdom; 5Animal Health Care Flanders,
Torhout, Belgium.
Objectives: Selection and spread of Extended Spectrum
Beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae within
animal production systems and potential spill over to humans
is a major concern. Orally applied cephalosporins can select
for antimicrobial resistant organisms in the gastrointestinal
tract. There is however limited research on the effect of non-
oral, locally applied, antimicrobials on the selection of resistant
organisms in the gastrointestinal tract. First generation ceph-
alosporins are widely used to treat and prevent intramammary
infections in dairy cows. We studied the potential effects of low
doses of cephapirin (CP) and cephalonium (CL) to select for
ESBL producing E. coli in fresh faecal fermentations and in
the manure of adult dairy cows as a model for intramammary
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Udder Health and Mastitis
application of cephapirin, because the minimal concentration
which still selects for resistance (MSC) is unknown in a com-
plex environment like the gastrointestinal tract.
Materials and Methods: A literature search has been con-
ducted, to determine the test conditions for the MSC testing
and to predict the maximum expected concentrations of CP
in the intestinal content and in the manure of dairy cows after
intramammary treatment.
Three different laboratory experiments have been conduct-
ed on samples from The Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and
the United Kingdom.
1): Competition assay in rich culture media at 37⁰C. From
every country, 3 ESBL and 3 non-ESBL E. coli isolates from
dairy farms have been collected. A 1:3 ratio mixture of these
ESBL and non-ESBL isolates under nine different conditions
have been tested for their potential to select for Cefotaxime
(CTX) resistance as an indicator for ESBL selection: no an-
tibiotics baseline; no antibiotics (blank condition); 0.25 µg/ml
CTX; 0.04, 0.4 and 4.0 µg/ml of CL; 0.08, 0.8 and 8.0 µg/ml
of CP. After 6 h of incubation the percentage of resistant colo-
nies to CTX in each of the different test conditions have been
assessed to determine the MSC of CP and CL for ESBL pro-
ducing E. coli.
2): Competition assay in fecal fermentations at 37⁰C.
Freshly derived manure samples from 10 different healthy
dairy cows were pooled and were spiked with the 3 ESBL and
3 non-ESBL E. coli isolates at 107 CFU/ml in 9 different tubes
containing anaerobic standard ileal efflux medium. A compa-
rable approach as in experiment 1 has been followed to deter-
mine the MSCs for ESBL producing E. coli in freshly derived
fecal fermentations of dairy cows.
3): Competition assay in dairy manure. Manure pit sam-
ples from each country where taken. The same procedures
were being followed as in experiment 2, however at a tem-
perature of 17⁰C.
Results: In experiment 1, a significant (p=0.007) increase
in CTX resistant colonies was seen between a 0.8 µg/ml (45%
resistant) and a 8.0 µg/ml (96% resistant) concentration of CP.
No significant increase from 0.08 (38%) to 0.8 µg/ml was ob-
served. A significant (p=0.023) increase in CTX resistant colo-
nies was seen between a 0.4 µg/ml (41% resistant) and a 4.0
µg/ml (90% resistant) concentration of cephalonium.
In experiment 2, a borderline significant (p=0.079) increase
in CTX resistant colonies was seen between a 0.8 µg/ml (44%
resistant) and a 8.0 µg/ml (75% resistant) concentration of CP.
The results were skewed by the unexpectedly low number of
CTX resistant colonies from the Belgian samples. In the exper-
iment with different concentrations of CL (0.04, 0.4 and 4.0 µg/
ml), no significant differences in CTX resistant colonies was
observed (respectively 78%, 88% and 91%).
In experiment 3, no increases in CTX resistant colonies
have been observed in the CP and CL group at each of the
tested concentrations.
Based on available literature on pharmacodynamics and
pharmacokinetics of CP and CL in dairy cows, the maximum
expected concentration of CP and CL in the intestinal content
of adult dairy cows after intramammary treatment according
to the label will most probably not exceed 0.29 µg/ml. The ex-
pected maximum concentration of CP and CL in manure pits of
425
ORAL — Udder Health and Mastitis
average dairy farms will not exceed 0.03 µg/ml.
Conclusions: We found that the expected concentrations
of cephapirin in the gut and manure pits are at least 10 fold
lower than the MSC of cephapirin to select for CTX resistance
in the different environments. Thus, the potential of intramam-
mary administered cephapirin to select for ESBL-producing E.
coli in the bovine gut and in manure pits seems low.
Keywords: Antimicrobial resistance, intramammary, cep-
hapirin, cephalonium, dairy cow.
UH-23
Comparison of endotoxin concentrations among
commercially available Gram-negative, lipopolysaccharide
core-antigen vaccines used to control bovine mastitis
Norman Stewart1, Scott Nordstrom1, John Champaign1, Alison
Hurwitch1, Barbara Markley2, Joe Hogan3.
Merck Animal Health, Madison, NJ, United States; 2Beacon
1
Diagnostics, East Falmouth, MA, United States; 3Ohio Agricultural
Research and Development Center, the Ohio State University, Wooster,
United States.
Objective: Lipopolysaccharide core-antigen vaccines
have been developed to provide cross-protection against a
variety of Gram-negative bacterial pathogens capable of caus-
ing clinical mastitis in dairy cows. Though a variety of prod-
ucts have been shown to reduce the severity and duration
of coliform intramammary infections, these products differ in
formulation including adjuvants and carrier solutions. A com-
positional difference of potential concern is a variation among
products in endotoxin concentration. Adverse effects attribut-
ed to parenteral administration of endotoxin to cows include
reproductive failures, anorexia, and decreased milk produc-
tion. The purpose of this study was to quantify the endotoxin
concentrations in Gram-negative, lipopolysaccharide core-an-
tigen vaccines used to control bovine mastitis.
Materials & Methods: Four commercially available bacte-
rins tested for endotoxin were vaccine A (Bovilis®-J5; Intervet,
Inc.), vaccine B (Enviracor™ J-5; Zoetis, Inc.) vaccine C (En-
dovac-Dairy®; Endovac Animal Health) and vaccine D (J-Vac®;
Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc.). Nine bottles of each
vaccine, each bottle from a unique lot/serial number, were
tested for endotoxin concentration by the Limulus amebocyte
lysate assay using kinetic turbidimetric detection.
Data were analyzed using a linear mixed model for a com-
plete block study design. A single sample from each vaccine
lot/serial number was the experimental unit, and a random in-
tercept term was included in the model to account for the lack
of independence among samples within replicates. A fixed
effect of vaccine, with four categories, was included in the
model. The data were not normally distributed so they were
transformed (log10) prior to analysis with a model fitted with a
normal (Gaussian) and identity link. The model was fitted with
restricted maximum likelihood estimation, Kenward-Roger de-
grees of freedom and Newton-Raphson and Ridging optimi-
zation procedures (Proc GLIMMIX SAS 9.4). When the main
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
426
effect of vaccine product was significant (P <0.05), pair-wise
comparisons were made using the Tukey-Kramer method to
adjust for multiple comparisons.
Results: The overall effect of vaccine product was sig-
nificant (P <0.05); rejecting the null hypothesis the endotoxin
levels were equal among products. Similarly, pair-wise com-
parisons of all vaccine products indicated that all means dif-
fered significantly (P values <0.01). Model-adjusted mean for
vaccine A was 1.43 log10 EU/ml (range 0.53 to 2.09 log10 EU/
ml) vaccine B 3.77 log10 EU/ml (range 3.62 to 3.90 log10 EU/
ml ), vaccine C 4.90 log10 EU/ml (range 4.65 to 5.19 log10 EU/
ml) and vaccine D 5.54 log10 EU/ml ( range 5.34 to 5.66 log10
EU/ml).
Conclusion: Gram-negative, lipopolysaccharide core-an-
tigen vaccines used to control bovine mastitis differed in en-
dotoxin content with a difference greater than 13,000-fold in
endotoxin units per milliliter between the lowest and highest
concentrations.
Keywords: Endotoxins, vaccination, bovine mastitis,
Gram-negative.
UH-24
Treatment of clinical mastitis: intramammary or in
combination with parenteral administration of penicillin?
Line Svennesen1, Alice Skarbye1, Michael Farre2, Carsten Kirkeby1.
1
University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg C, Denmark; 2SEGES,
Skejby, Denmark.
Objectives: Antibiotics prescribed for dairy cows in Den-
mark are mainly penicillin products for parenteral mastitis
treatment (DANMAP, 2020). However, it may be possible to
reduce the amount of penicillin used, if intramammary (IMM)
treatment is sufficient as an alternative to parenteral or com-
bined IMM and parenteral treatment which is the first choice
for Danish veterinarians (Wilm et al., 2021). This study aimed
to investigate if IMM administration of penicillin was non-inferi-
or to IMM combined with parenteral administration of penicillin
regarding bacteriological cure of non-severe clinical mastitis
cases caused by Gram-positive bacteria.
Materials and methods: The study was carried out as a
non-inferiority longitudinal randomized clinical trial in 12 Dan-
ish dairy herds from May 2020 to June 2021. The treatment
protocols evaluated were A) IMM treatment for three days, and
B) both IMM and parenteral treatment for three days. The IMM
treatment comprised 600,000 IE benzylpenicillinprocain ad-
ministered in the affected quarter once per day for three days.
The parenteral treatment comprised 15,000 IE penethamate-
hydroiodid/kg body weight administered in the muscle (IM)
once per day for three days. Treatment A and B were randomly
assigned to cows with non-severe clinical mastitis caused by a
Gram-positive bacteria. The farm personnel used an on-farm
test to get an indication of this classification (Gram-positive/
negative) within the first day of symptoms and before the on-
set of antibiotic treatment. In the meantime, all clinical mastitis
cases were treated with ketoprofen in a dose of 3 mg/kg body
 ORAL — Udder Health and Mastitis

weight. Subsequently, the quarter milk samples were cultured
and pathogens were identified using MALDI-TOF. A case was
included if one or two bacterial species were identified, and at
least one of those were Gram-positive. Bacteriological cure
was evaluated on two follow-up samples, two and three weeks
after ended treatment. A case was deemed to be cured if the
pathogens present in the clinical sample were not detected in
any of the follow-up samples. A non-inferiority analysis was
carried out with a margin of 15%.
Results: Of almost 1,800 clinical mastitis cases registered,
347 were eligible for evaluation of bacteriological cure based
on treatment A or B. The results showed that the cure rate de-
pended on the pathogen. The overall cure for treatment A was
76% [95% CI: 69.2-82.5] and the overall cure for treatment B
was 83% [95% CI: 76.8-88.3]. Treatment A was not non-infe-
rior to treatment B with a margin of 15% across all bacterial
species. However, the majority (183) of included mastitis cas-
es involved Streptococcus uberis infection, either alone or in
combination with another species. When including only these
cases in the analysis, the cure rate for treatment A was 83%
[95% CI: 74.1-90.1], and the cure rate for treatment B was
81% [95% CI: 70.9-88.3]. Thus, treatment A was non-inferior
to treatment B for cases with Streptococcus uberis.
Conclusions: Penicillin administered IMM for three days
is no worse than penicillin administered both IMM and paren-
teral for three days when it comes to bacteriological cure of
non-severe clinical mastitis caused by Streptococcus uberis.
Implementation of this result in Danish dairy herds can reduce
antibiotics used for clinical mastitis treatment. However, the re-
duced treatment was not found non-inferior across all bacteria
species. This underlines the importance of accurate mastitis
diagnostics and the need to adjust treatment protocols to the
herd’s specific mastitis pathogens, in order to facilitate prudent
use of antibiotics.
The research project was funded by the Danish Milk Levy
Foundation.
References: DANMAP. 2020. Danmap 2020 - Use of an-
timicrobial agents and occurrence of antimicrobial resistance
in bacteria from food animals, food and humans in Denmark.
ISSN 1600-2032.
Wilm, J., L. Svennesen, E.Ø. Eriksen, T. Halasa, and V.
Krömker. 2021. Veterinary Treatment Approach and Antibiotic
Usage for Clinical Mastitis in Danish Dairy Herds. Antibiotics
10:189. doi:10.3390/antibiotics10020189.
Keywords: Mastitis, treatment, intramammary, cure.
would best identify individual cows with normal and delayed
milk ejection and for that time interval, to determine the milk
flow cutoff with the best specificity to identify cows with normal
milk ejection.
Materials and methods: We connected digital recorders
to measure vacuum (VaDias, BioControl) in the short milk tube
and mouthpiece chamber of two liners during individual milk-
ing in 4 farms, and we collected milk flow dynamics from milk-
ing recording system software (DeLaval DelPro Software and
SCR MC200 Series Milking Control Systems), for 529 cows.
We obtained milk ejection time (seconds) after unit attachment
by analyzing the milking vacuum data, as a proxy for milk flow,
for each cow. Cows were categorized as either having delayed
( > 30 s) or normal (≤ 30 s) milk ejection. Individual milk ejec-
tion time and milk ejection category were matched to milk flow
during four time intervals: ≤ 15 s, 16-30 s, 31-60 s, and 61-120
s. We performed univariate and logistic regressions for each
milk flow interval using milk flow as the dependent variable
and milk ejection time and milk ejection category as indepen-
dent variables, respectively, on SAS. Finally, we calculated
sensitivity and specificity for milk flow cutoffs of 1.8, 2.3, and
2.7 kg/min (4, 5, and 6 lb/min) liters per minute.
Results: Univariate (table 1) and logistic regressions (table
2) of the four-time intervals on ejection time and milk ejection
category, respectively, identified milk flow between 31-60 s as
the best time interval to predict delayed milk ejection (R-square
0.33, P <.0001; LS means milk flow of 1.7 kg/min and 3.6 kg/
min for delayed and normal milk ejection cows, respectively (P
<.0001). For the 31-60 interval, a cut-off of 1.8 kg/min had the
best specificity of 0.87, and a sensitivity of 0.64.
Conclusions: Delayed milk ejection lowers milking effi-
ciency and can decrease milk production, impair teat health,
and can negatively impact animal welfare. Producers and
veterinarians can use of on-farm technology that measures
individual milk flow dynamics to identify and monitor delayed
milk ejection incidence in their herds, allowing them to look for
underlying causes and intervene when needed to improve and
maintain milking efficiency.
Table 1. Regressions of milk flow time intervals and milk let-down
time.
Milk flow time interval (s) R-Square  P-value
0-15 0.0125 0.01
16-30 0.0735 <.0001
31-60 0.3288 <.0001
61-120 0.0087 0.03

Table 2. ANOVA of milk flow time intervals and milk ejection category.
UH-25
Milk flow time Delayed milk Normal P-value
Identification of cows with delayed milk ejection using milk interval (s) ejection LS Means
flow recordings LS Means
0-15 0.89 1.14 0.002
Paola Bacigalupo Sanguesa, Pamela Ruegg, Roger Thomson, Bo
Norby, Ronald Erskine. 16-30 2.05 2.96 <.0001

Michigan State University, East Lansing, United States. 31-60 1.67 3.6 <.0001
61-120 3.93 4.02 0.51

Objectives: The objective of this study was to identify

an interval of milk flow, from a parlor recording system, that Keywords: Milk flow, delayed milk ejection.

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ORAL — Udder Health and Mastitis
UH-26
Emergence of cloxacillin resistance in Streptococcus uberis
Heather King1, John Williamson2, Jane Lacy-Hulbert3, Yvette
Macpherson1, Ali Karkaba1, Scott McDougall1.
Cognosco, Morrinsville, New Zealand; 2DairyNZ, Hamilton, New
1
Calcedonia; 3DairyNZ, Hamilton, New Zealand.
Objective: To assess whether there has been a change
in penicillin and cloxacillin minimum inhibitory concentrations
(MIC) across time (2003 to 2018) in bovine Streptococcus
uberis isolates.
Materials and Methods: S. uberis from clinical and subclin-
ical mastitis cases from one farm during 2003/04 and 2018/19,
were re-isolated from a preservation media (LSPQ Preserva-
tion Medium, Fort Richard Laboratories Ltd, Auckland, New
Zealand). Isolates were confirmed as S. uberis based on
Gram stain, catalase reaction, cleaving of esculin, SF broth,
cleavage of inulin, and MALDI-TOF confirmation for non-con-
clusive reactions. MIC was determined using semi-quantita-
tive penicillin and cloxacillin test strips (Liofilchem, Roseto
degli Abruzzi, Italy) placed on a lawn of S. uberis grown on
Mueller Hinton CLSI agar plates with sheep blood (Fort Rich-
ard Laboratories Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand). Differences in
distribution of MIC for penicillin and cloxacillin between the
2003 and 2018 sample sets were assessed using frequency
distributions and histograms, and visually assessed for a bi-
modal distribution. The MIC50 and MIC90 and their 95% con-
fidence intervals were calculated. The key outcome variable
was the epidemiological cut-off value (ECOFF), which was de-
termined visually. Explanatory variables included: year 2003
(n=112) vs 2018 (n=44), clinical (n=46) vs subclinical (n=110)
mastitis, spring (n=128) vs other (n=28) seasons, and timing
of sampling relative to calving (≤4 days vs >4 days). Bivariate
(chi-squared and univariate logistic) and then multivariable lin-
ear mixed regression models were used for analyses. Manu-
al stepwise model building approach was used and variables
with a p > 0.05 were removed from the final model, so long as
the odds ratio for other variables in the model did not vary by
greater than 20%.
Results: The MIC50 and MIC90 were 0.047 (interquartile
range 0.03-0.09) and 0.19, respectively for penicillin, and 0.25
µg/mL (interquartile range 0.19-1), and 2 µg/mL respectively
for cloxacillin. There was a bimodal distribution for the MIC
values for penicillin and cloxacillin, and the ECOFF were de-
fined as 0.064 and 0.38 µg/mL for penicillin and cloxacillin,
respectively. A total of 28% of the isolates were above the
ECOFF points for both penicillin and cloxacillin. The propor-
tion of MIC values above the ECOFF increased from 23% to
40% for both penicillin and cloxacillin between 2003 and 2018.
In the final model the proportion of isolates above the ECOFF
increased over time (OR=1.06, CI 95% 1.08-1.11, p=0.02) and
(OR=1.07, CI 95% 1.02-1.13, p=0.01) for penicillin and clox-
acillin, respectively; and with a higher proportion above the
ECOFF for samples collected outside of spring (OR= 2.95,
CI 95% 1.03-10.7, p=0.06) and (OR= 3.02, CI 95% 1.05-11,
p=0.059) for penicillin and cloxacillin, respectively.
Conclusion: The proportion of S. uberis isolates above the
ECOFF for penicillin and cloxacillin increased between 2003
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
428
and 2018. While this data is from only one farm, it supports
data from MIC estimates for S. uberis isolates from bulk tank
milk across New Zealand which demonstrate increasing cloxa-
cillin MICs (McDougall et al. 2018). In New Zealand, cloxacillin
is widely used for therapeutic treatment during lactation, and
prophylactically at dry off. It was commonly used in the herd
from which these isolates were drawn. Isolates from later in
lactation had higher MIC. Whether this is due to survival of
these isolates following treatment or is associated with per-
sistence and host adaptation remains to be determined. The
clinical significance of the highest MICs observed i.e. 0.38 µg/
mL for penicillin, and 4 µg/mL for cloxacillin remains unclear.
However, a recent report suggests that MICs for oxacillin >0.5
µg/mL tended to be associated with reduced bacteriological
cure following therapy of clinical S. uberis cases (McDougall
et al. 2020).
References:
McDougall S, Castle R, MacPherson Y, Karkaba A, Gra-
ham L. The DAIRYANTIBIOGRAM; A novel way to moni-
tor antimicrobial sensitivities of mastitis pathogens in dairy
herds. In: Proc Dairy Cattle Veterinarians of the New Zealand
Veterinary Association. Hamilton, New Zealand Vetlearn,
NZVA, 2018.
McDougall S, Clausen L, Ha H-J, Gibson I, Bryan M, Hadji-
rin N, Lay E, Raisen C, Ba X, Restif O, Parkhill J, Holmes MA.
Mechanisms of b-lactam resistance of Streptococcus uberis
isolated from bovine mastitis cases. Veterinary Microbiology,
108592, 2020.
Keywords: Mastitis, S. uberis, MIC, Resistance.
UH-27
An Investigation into Optimising Antibiotic Use through
Selective Use of Dry Cow Treatment at the Quarter Level
Andrew Bradley1, Katharine Leach2, James Breen3, Barbara Payne2,
Vikki White2, Martin Green3, Jantijn Swinkels4.
Quality Milk Management Services Ltd / University of Nottingham,
1
Wells, United Kingdom; 2Quality Milk Management Services Ltd,
Wells, United Kingdom; 3University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington,
United Kingdom; 4MSD Animal Health, Boxmeer, Netherlands.
Objectives: Blanket use of antibiotic dry cow therapy
(DCT) was a cornerstone of the Five Point Plan. More recently,
the selective use of antibiotic DCT in combination with blanket
use of an internal teat sealant (ITS) has been successfully im-
plemented in the UK. Historically, cow level application of an-
tibiotic DCT has been advocated, primarily because quarters
are not independent within cows and therefore an increased
risk of infection has been perceived in ‘uninfected’ quarters in
‘infected’ cows. However, there is evidence that this lack of
independence is less marked with ‘environmental’ than ‘con-
tagious’ mastitis pathogens. The aim of this study was to in-
vestigate the utility of a quarter level approach to DCT in well
managed low SCC herds with a low prevalence of contagious
mastitis pathogens.
Materials and Methods: Farms with a history of low bulk

milk SCC were invited to participate in the study. Cows, within
herds, were stratified as ‘infected’ or ‘uninfected’ (using SCC
and clinical mastitis history), before being randomly allocat-
ed to one of three treatment groups: CLT, QLT0 and QLT1.
The CLT (Cow Level Treatment) group were allocated, using
SCC and clinical mastitis history, into animals eligible for the
use of ITS alone (CepralockTM) or ITS in combination with an-
tibiotic DCT (CEFA-SAFETM) - importantly this decision was
applied at the cow level (all quarters within a cow receiving
the same treatment). Within the QLT0 (Quarter Level Treat-
ment - CMT>0) and QLT1 (Quarter Level Treatment - CMT>1)
groups, quarters within cows were allocated (based on a Cal-
ifornia Mastitis Test (CMT) score of >0 or >1 respectively) to
receive ITS alone (score below the threshold) or ITS in com-
bination with antibiotic DCT (score above the threshold) de-
pending on the quarter CMT score at drying off.
The bacteriological status and SCC of all quarters were
assessed at drying off and within a week post calving and for
SCC 7-14 days post calving. All cows were monitored for clini-
cal mastitis from dry off until 100 days post calving.
Univariable and multivariable analysis were undertaken
to assess the effectiveness of the three approaches for their
impact on dry period outcomes including the likelihood of a
quarter being pathogen free at calving. The impact on clinical
mastitis was also assessed.
Results: 807 cows from six herds were recruited; 401 were
defined as ‘infected’ and 406 as ‘uninfected’ by historic SCC
and clinical mastitis data. The overall prevalence of infection
at drying off was low with only 10.5% of quarters culturing a
major pathogen. Minor pathogens were prevalent with 52.8%
of quarters culturing positive for these species.
In cows defined as ‘infected’ at drying off, analyses sug-
gested that there were no significant differences between
treatment groups in the likelihood of a quarter being positive
for a major pathogen or any pathogen post calving (p>0.05).
In cows defined as ‘uninfected’ at drying off, whilst there was
no difference in the likelihood of a quarter being culture pos-
itive for a major pathogen, quarters in QLT0 group (antibiotic
DCT administered to quarters showing a ‘trace’ reaction on
the CMT) were at significantly lower odds of being culture
positive for a minor pathogen post calving than quarters in
cows receiving a teat sealant alone (OR 0.658; 95%CI 0.488-
0.889).
No significant differences in the proportion of quarters af-
fected by clinical mastitis were observed between any of the
treatment groups.
Antibiotic use was assessed with respect to the number
of cures effected by treatment. In cows defined as ‘infected’
at drying off, cow level treatment achieved the highest ‘cure’
rate of major pathogens (97.7%) but was associated with the
highest level of antibiotic tube usage/cure (13.66 tubes/major
pathogen cure); the QLT1 group had the lowest tube usage
(5.3 tubes/cure) but also the lowest cure rate (89.0%). In cows
defined as ‘uninfected’ at drying off, the ‘self-cure’ was 100%
in the CLT and QLT0 groups. Three quarters failed to ‘cure’
in the QLT1 group, though these were due to infections with
pathogens against which antibiotic DCT would not have been
effective.
Conclusions: In low SCC herds, with a low prevalence of
contagious pathogens, there appears to be an opportunity to
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reduce antibiotic DCT use by selecting treatments at the quar-
ter level without adversely affecting udder health.
Keywords: Udder Health, Dry Cow Therapy, Antibiotic,
Mastitis.
UH-28
Impact of selective dry cow theraphy on farm udder health
Almudena Tato Mosquera, Noelia Mourazos Garcia, Carlos Noya
Couto, Francisco Sesto Perez, José Luis Miguez Vázquez, Margarita
Penelas López.
SERAGRO S.C.G, Galicia, Spain.
Objectives: The aim of the present retrospective observa-
tional study was to compare how the use of selective dry cow
therapy (SDCT) influences udder health instead of blanket dry
cow therapy (BDCT) in a set of dairy cattle farms impacts ud-
der health.
Materials and methods: This study was carried out from
January 2017 to December 2018, with the implementation of
the SDCT in 25 selected dairy farms of Friesian cattle that
traditionally applied BDCT. These farms were located in Gali-
cia (North-western Spain) and associated with the Milk Quality
Service.
Selection criteria
In order to be selected, farms must have had a sustained
constant annual somatic cell counts(SCC) <250,000, percent-
age of monthly clinical mastitis <3% and no contagious iso-
lates.
In cow selection, for the use of internal sealants only, no
intramammary antibiotic therapy, the criteria were that the last
three months of SCC <200,000, absence of clinical episode
records at least in the last three months and negative result to
the California mastitis test at the time of drying.
Furthermore, key factors for the selection of the farm were
considered knowing their epidemiology, as well as good man-
agement practices around the dry period . At the cow level, it
was considered important that the animals reach drying with
the anatomical integrity of the sphincter in good condition.
Udder health parameters
After the SDCT implementation during the years 2017 and
2018, for evaluating herd udder health we used: changes in
somatic cell count and percentage of monthly clinical mamitis,
both parameters related to the subsequent lactation, compar-
ing BDCT (2016) and SDCT (2018).
Also two rates of dry period performance were used: prev-
alence of infections at calving (percentage of cows with first
postpartum SSC> 200.00 with respect to total calves) and rate
of new infections at calving (percentage of animals that when
drying had a SCC 200,000 and that in the first postpartum con-
trol had a SCC >200,000 with respect to the total cows that
were dried with a control lower than SCC 200,000).
Data analysis
All data were stored in our own software “Gesgando”. To
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ORAL — Udder Health and Mastitis
compare the monthly SCC of the 25 farms in 2016 and 2018,
a linear regression model was developed. The Naperian log-
arithm of monthly SCC was used as a response variable and
year, as an explanatory variable, taking into account month
and farm as random effects. To compare the monthly percent-
age of clinical mastitis, a Poisson regression model with farm
and month as random effects and year as an explanatory one
has been performed.
Results: From January 2017 to December 2018, 2,210
cows were dried applying the selective dry cow therapy
(SDCT), only 635 received intramammary antibiotic drying,
that is, 71.27% of the cows only carried internal sealant, with
the consequent antibiotic reduction.
The results obtained with respect to SCC were 159 cells/
mL in tank (2016) to 166 cells/mL (2018). The percentage of
average monthly clinical mastitis moved from 1.66% (2016)
to 1.48% (2018). The effectiveness rates of drying therapy:
prevalence of infection at calving 18.29% (2016) and 21.75%
(2018), and rate of new infections at calving 16.4% (2016) and
17.76% (2018).
When analyzing the data, it is observed that the monthly
SCC shows significant differences (pvalue <0.001) between
years, being higher in 2018 (166.62 ± 42.59) than in 2016
(158.85 ± 38.68), on the contrary, percentage of monthly clin-
ical mastitis shows a reduction (p- value <0.001) from 2016
(2.39 ± 2.93) to 2018 (1.57 ± 2.19).
Conclusion: The transition from BDCT to SDCT resulted
in a huge reduction in the number of antimicrobials used on
dairy herds without having a clear deleterious effect on ud-
der health regarding general data obtained. When managed
appropriately the dry and transition period and selected cows
with optimal udder health can be successfully dried off without
the use of intramammary antimicrobials.
The increase in the SCC after the new therapy implemen-
tation with a no clinical mastitis rate associated, maybe must
be addressed with an improvement and even higher require-
ments in the conditions of dry cow management in a global
context of antibiotic reduction.
Keywords: Cow, dry, selective, theraphy, health.
UH-29
Internal teat sealant retention after selective dry cow
therapy in dairy cows
J. M. Swinkels1, A. Deterink2, M. Holstege2, A. Schmenger3, G. D.
Kempe2, T. Bruggink2, P. Penterman1, V. Kromker4.
1
MSD Animal Health, Boxmeer, Netherlands; 2Royal GD Animal
Health, Deventer, Netherlands; 3Hannover University of Applied
Sciences and Arts, Hannover, Germany; 4Faculty of Health and Medical
Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Objectives: Internal teat sealants (ITS) are increasingly
used in the EU for prophylaxis of new IMI in the dry period due
to their efficacy and the concerns for prophylactic use of anti-
biotics (AB). ITS require no milk withdrawal time, and residues
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
430
may enter the bulk tank and end up in cheese, affecting the
image of the dairy industry. Current ITS residue data are main-
ly based on visual presence, and objective data of their weight
in time after calving are lacking.  The primary objective was
to determine the quantity of ITS excreted in milk, when used
alone or combined with AB, during the first week after calving.
Materials & Methods: The study was conducted on 3
farms in NL, and 4 in DE, selected on availability of DHI re-
cords, a conventional milking system, milking 2x/d and will-
ingness to participate and comply to the protocol. Cows were
treated with AB (Cefa-safe®, MSD Animal Health) in all 4 quar-
ters only when the last monthly DHI test before dry-off (DO)
showed a cow SCC > 200k cells/ml (high SCC). All cows were
dried off with ITS (ShutOut®, MSD Animal Health). At DO, teat
end callosity score, body condition score, milk leakage and
udder pressure were measured.
Cow eligibility at DO included pregnancy, expected DO
period > 32 d, > 3 functional quarters, milk yield > 5 L, good
general health, and absence of clinical mastitis and concomi-
tant treatment within 30 d of DO. During the 1st 7 DIM, 50 ml
of milk was collected pre-milking at each milking, centrifuged,
and the amount of remaining ITS and milk solids weighed.
ITS in mg/milking was calculated by deducting the tubes total
weight from the final 2 milkings, assuming no TS was left in the
tubes (± 2SD), from the weight of the tube including all its con-
tent (ITS + milk solids). Quarter milk samples were collected
aseptically prior to the final milking and DO treatment, and at
3 DIM, to determine etiology and SCC. Clinical mastitis events
and general health were monitored from D0 to 30 DIM.  ITS
retention and treatment effects will be evaluated using gener-
alized linear mixed models.
Results: A total of 103 cows were included in the prelim-
inary analysis, 76 cows were 'high SCC' at DO, and treated
with ITS+AB, and 27 cows were 'low SCC' at DO and treated
with ITS alone. At DO, 63.5% of quarters were cultured posi-
tive and most identified pathogens were Non-aureus staphy-
lococci (NAS, 20.8%), Staph. aureus (5.9%) and Lactococcus
species (2.1%). At 3 DIM, 48% of quarters were cultured posi-
tive, and most identified pathogens were NAS (12.3%), Staph.
aureus (1.4%), E. coli and yeast (both 1.2%). Bacteriological
cure or new infection rate analysis is ongoing.  Just prior to
the 1st milking, 76.6% of quarters (n=423) contained ITS >
minimum detection limit, quickly declining to 26.7% at the 2nd
milking, 8.3% at the 3rd milking, and at 1.8% at the 14th milk-
ing. The ITS excretion curve analysis in g/milking is ongoing.
Differences could be detected between the ITS retention when
combined with AB or not.
Preliminary efficacy analysis of ITS was based on 219
quarters, 98 with a qSCC < 200k cells/ml and 121 qSCC >
200k cells/ml at DO. Comparing qSCC data (n=219) at DO
and at d3 after calving, using a qSCC of 200k cells/ml as a
threshold for imm infection, prevention of new infection rate,
cure rate, new infection rate and rate of failure to cure, was
74.5%, 71.9%, 25.5%, and 28.1%, respectively. Generalized
linear mixed models to identify risk factors for ITS retention
and ITS efficacy are currently developed and the analysis is
ongoing.
Conclusion: ITS residues were detected in 76.6% of
quarters at the 1st milking after calving, declining to < 10%
of quarters at the 3rd milking, and < 2% of quarters  at the

14th milking. Differences in ITS excretion were detected when
combined with AB or not. This study shows the importance for
farmers to comply to EU regulations to not enter colostrum in
the bulk milk tank and to install milk filters to prevent ITS resi-
dues from entering the bulk tank.
Keywords: Teat sealant, dry cow therapy, dairy cattle.
UH-30
The use of cabergoline at dry-off increased milk production
in a commercial dairy herd in Brazil
Philippe Gisbert1, João Rodrigues2, Carla Azevedo1, Fernanda
Viscione2, Juan Muñoz1, Alexandre Souza3.
Ceva Sante Animale, Libourne, France; 2Ceva Saúde Animal, Paulínia,
1
Brazil; 3Cargill, Campinas, Brazil.
Cabergoline is a dry off facilitator that reduces milk pro-
duction at dry-off by inhibiting prolactin secretion. It has been
recently demonstrated that one single injection of cabergoline
at dry-off effectively reduces milk leakage by 82% and new in-
tramammary infections by 21% (Hop et al, 2019), accelerates
mammary gland involution and improves its immune response
(Boutinaud et al, 2016, 2017). Interestingly, recent literature
has reported also an increase in milk production in the follow-
ing lactation, in those cows where prolactin was inhibited in
the first days after dry off (Lacasse, 2015). However, and to
the authors knowledge, no studies to date have investigated
the impact of the use of cabergoline at dry-off on dairy cow’s
milk production in the subsequent lactation and under Brazil-
ian field conditions.
Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate,
under Brazilian field conditions, the benefits of reducing pro-
lactin secretion at dry-off on the subsequent lactation perfor-
mance with one single administration of cabergoline at dry-off
(Velactis®, Ceva Santé Animale, Libourne, France).
Materials and methods: The trial was conducted from
March 2019 to February 2020 in a commercial Holstein dairy
herd in upper-Southwest Brazil in Minas Gerais State. A total
of 417 Holstein cows, producing 27,9 ± 3.8 kg at drying off,
were dried-off abruptly and treated with intramammary antibi-
otic therapy (Bovigan-VS®, Bayer Animal Health, Brazil) plus
an internal teat seal (Ememast Selante®, Boehringer Ingel-
heim Animal Health, Brazil) at dry-off. Cows were randomized
to two experimental treatments, as follows: 1) Cabergoline 5.6
mg (5mL, Velactis®, Ceva Santé Animale, France) given intra-
muscularly to cows with even ear tags, or 2) Control (saline, 5
mL) given intramuscularly to cows with odd ear tag numbers.
Immediately after treatment, cows were moved to a new dry
cow pen and kept in a far-off diet for approximately 4 weeks.
Then, 3 to 4 weeks before calving all cows were moved to a
close-up prepartum pen and fed an anionic-based diet until
calving. Total daily milk production was recorded once within
the week prior to drying off, and throughout lactation at 20-day
intervals during milk testing performed from calving until 200
DIM, the records on incidence of retain placenta, clinical mas-
titis, and breeding records were retried from the herd’s man-
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Udder Health and Mastitis
agement software (Ideagri®, Brazil) and the edits in the final
database included in the data analysis. Statistical analyses
were performed using the SAS 9.4.
Results: There was a significant effect of treatment (P <
0.05) on milk production, in which cows treated with Cabergo-
line produced significantly more milk from calving to 200 DIM
(Cabergoline: 7395 Kg vs Control: 7017 Kg; P = 0.03). There
were no differences between experimental groups in the pro-
portion of cows with clinical mastitis within 30 (Cabergoline:
6.0 ± 0.04 vs Control: 6.0 ± 0.05; P = 0.95) or 100 days post
calving (Cabergoline: 13.9 ± 0.05 vs Control: 12.0 ± 0.04; P =
0.71). Similarly, treating cows with Cabergoline at dry off did
not influence proportion of cows having retain placenta (Cab-
ergoline: 11.4 ± 0.4 vs Control: 11.6 ± 0.3; P = 0.97) and pro-
portion of cows conceiving by 150 DIM (Cabergoline: 69.0%
vs Control: 65.5%; P = 0.45).
Conclusions: Treatment with Cabergoline at dry-off effec-
tively improved milk production in Holstein cows. In addition,
findings from the current trial indicate that cows treated with
Cabergoline at dry-off produce in average 1.89 kg/day more
milk than control cows. This represents extra income for the
farmers and provide data to help producers evaluate best re-
turn on investment of differing technologies available that can
be used at the time of dry-off.
Keywords: Dry-off, Mastitis, Dairy Herd, Milk Production,
Cabergoline.
UH-31
Productive and reproductive impact of subclinical mastitis
by prototheca in a commercial dairy farm in central Spain
Natividad Pérez -Villalobos1, Marina Cañaveras2, Cristina Andreu1,
Raquel Patrón3, Susana Astiz4, Juan Vicente González3.
Universidad Europea de Madrid, Villaviciosa de Odón, Spain; 2Clínica
1
Olfato, Madrid, Spain; 3TRIALVET SL, UCM, Madrid, Spain; 4INIA,
Madrid, Spain.
The genus Prototheca is a microalgae, unicellular, aerobic
and achlorophyllic and ubiquitously distributed in commercial
dairy farms. Although it is becoming an emerging and import-
ant disease in dairy cattle and despite of producing a fatal
mastitis, this disease has been scarcely studied in terms of
epidemiology, costs and specifically regarding the subclinical
infections of this pathogen.
Objectives: Therefore, the aim of this study was to quan-
tify the concrete consequences of the subclinical protothecal
mastitis, regarding yield (predicted 305-day milk yield, fat and
protein yields) and udder health (mean somatic cell count).
Matherial&methods: The retrospective and observational
study was carried out 2016-2018 due to a natural outbreak at a
commercial dairy cattle farm in central Spain, with 900 animals
in milk and 500 heifers of which approximately 30% of the total
herd was infected with the algae. Animals with clinical masti-
tis, without previous lactation to the outbreak (heifers) or cows
that standed in the same lactation (due to a long lactation),
or without available data were discarded from the study. A to-
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ORAL — Udder Health and Mastitis
tal of 418 cows were included in the study and based on the
analysis of its milk (PCR t first screening and microbiological
culture at periodical revisions) were distributed into the group
of healthy or infected cows (39.23 and 60.77% of the animals,
respectively). Yield, udder health and reproduction data during
the previous lactation to the infection were compared within
each individual cow to those to the lactation during the infec-
tion. The reproductive rates studied through collective farm
data were the days in lactation at the first insemination as well
as at the first heat, the average number of empty days and the
interval between births. Absolute yield values during the lac-
tation of the infection of infected and healthy cows were also
compared. Saphiro-Wilk test determined the non-normality of
the data and non-parametric tests (Mann Whitney U) were
used to analyze the differences.
Results: The protothecal mastitis produced significant-
ly lower projected milk yield to 305d in the infected cows
(P<0.001) when compared to non infected cows (median of
8,847.26L vs 11,281.66 L) while non-infected cows showed no
significant differences with respect to their previous lactation.
The somatic cell count was 485.85 and 1,392.81 for healthy
and infected cows (P<0.001). There was no significant differ-
ence in fat and protein yields with respect to the previous lac-
tation (P=0.01).
In addition to the consequences due to the productive
outcomes, we observed that collective reproductive results
showed that the reproductive performance of the farm wors-
ened between January 2016 and January 2017, when com-
paring the days to the 1st artificial insemination, the days to
the first heat, the average number of open days and the inter-
val between births. However, when analyzing the farm data
for January 2018, these indicators showed an improvement
that indicate that the measures taken were in the right way.
Nevertheless, there were an obvious decrease in the number
of total inseminations as well as in the intention to inseminate
in the cows that were identified as positive.
Conclusions: In conclusion, our data indicate that the
productive losses caused by subclinical mastitis produced by
Prototheca in dairy cattle are very high, with a great impact
on the quality of the milk produced and a possible impact on
reproduction, which requires individual analysis of the data
to be clarified. To all these consequences we must add the
impact of this type of infection on the prevention and control
measures used to control the outbreak. Finally, we consider
of interest to continue with the analysis of the data regarding
subsequent lactations in the positive surviving population to
study their evolution.
Keywords: Mastitis, Prototheca.
UH-32
Procaine penicillin for mastitis - Have we forgotten how
good it is and is it getting even better?
Mick Clews1, Matt Wells2.
Herd Health Services, Western Australia, Australia; 2Virbac NZ,
1
Hamilton, New Zealand.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
432
Objectives: This study compares outcomes of clinical
mastitis treated with intramammary procaine penicillin and the
market leading cloxacillin and examines if MIC can explain dif-
ferences in case cure rates.
Material & Methods: 16,500 cows from 35 seasonal calv-
ing dairy herds were monitored for clinical mastitis. Pre- and
post-treatment samples were cultured, isolates identified, and
MIC determined using Liofilchem® test strips. Cows were
treated with either 1) cloxacillin (CL) 5 times s.i.d., 2) procaine
penicillin (PP) 3 times b.i.d. ,or 3) the PP treatment followed
by further treatment with a product containing both PP and CL
(PC) 3 times s.i.d. starting 48 hours after initial case diagnosis.
Treatment regimens were selected to conform with the New
Zealand registered use. Case cure rate (CCR) (both clinical
and bacteriological) was measured.
Results: Of the 767cases S. uberis (SU) was most com-
monly isolated (43.0%), followed by S. aureus (SA) (15.29%).
In the case of SU, PP had a higher CCR than CL (76.83% vs
61.25%, p=0.01). In the case of SA, the combined PC treat-
ment had a higher CCR than CL (40.96% vs 24.36%, p=0.02)
and PP tended to be better than CL (CCR = 40%, p=0.08). The
MIC50 and MIC90 of CL (0.125 and 0.250µg/ml) were higher
than those of PP (0.023 and 0.190µg/ml) in SA, and much
higher in SU (0.380 vs. 4.0, and 0.047 vs. 0.190µg/ml, for CL
and PP, respectively). There was no difference in MIC50 for
cases that cured vs. non-cured regarding either treatment.
CCR for SU cases treated with CL, was lower though for iso-
lates when MIC was ≥2µg/ml (p=0.04).
Conclusion: The MIC values for PP in this study were low-
er than previous studies in NZ and fit a trend of significant de-
crease in regards both SU and SA over the last 30 years. 32%
of SU isolates had a MIC of CL ≥2µg/ml which is higher than
the minimum inter-treatment concentration (ITCmin) achieved
in milk. The MIC for all other isolate/treatment combinations
was below the ITCmin. Individual MIC was only predictive of
clinical outcome when it was >ITCmin. Better case outcome,
supported by lower MIC (particularly in the predominant SU)
and a New Zealand Vet Assoc. classification as a more re-
sponsible medicine class, support the intramammary use of
procaine penicillin over cloxacillin for clinical mastitis.
Keywords: Procaine penicillin, cloxacillin, mastitis, treat-
ment.
UH-33
Farmer and veterinarian perception on udder health
management
Michael Farre1, Carsten Thure Kirkeby2, Tariq Halasa3, Erik
Rattenborg4, Henk Hogeveen5.
KU SUND, Vejen, Denmark; 2KU SUND, Copenhagen, Denmark;
1
Novo Nordisk, Bagsværd, Denmark; 4SEGES Innovation, Århus,
3
Denmark; 5Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands.
Objectives: Mastitis is the most costly disease in dairy
herds in developed countries (Hogeveen et al., 2019) and a
significant reason for compromised animal welfare (von Key-

serlingk et al., 2009). We have much knowledge on mastitis
and udder health management, allowing for evidence-based
improvement. In recent years, motivation and perception of
the farmer have received increasing attention, with communi-
cation research (Jansen et al., 2010b; Jansen et al., 2010a), to
successfully implement procedures such as the NMC 10-point
plan(NMC, 2016). As a consultant, the veterinarian has a cru-
cial role in udder health management, and their behavior has
been described (McDermott et al., 2017). However, the effect
of veterinary consultancy depends on the interaction between
farmer and veterinarian. Because perceptions of udder health
can differ between farmer and herd veterinarians, it is crucial
to identify potential gaps in agreement to understand the im-
pact on the outcome BMTSCC.
Material and methods: The participating dairy farmers
and veterinarians were enrolled on the Danish National Cattle
Data Base data. The criteria for participating were: DHI re-
cording, > 90 % Holstein cows, parlor milking, conventional
herd, herd size > 100 cows located in the western part of the
country. The dairy farmers were contacted first and encour-
aged to participate in an anonymous survey conducted in a
larger research project on udder health management. Next,
the herd vet was contacted and encouraged to participate. The
study enrolled a total of 88 herds with their herd veterinarian.
The survey included questions regarding cooperation between
farmer and herd veterinarian and the consulting methods by
the vet. Veterinarians received the questionnaire by email and
were reminded if not responding within two weeks. The dairy
farmers filled out the questionnaire during the visit from the
researcher. The answers were predominantly based on the
Likert scale (Likert, 1932) to measure agreement between
dairy farmers and herd veterinarians.
Results: The response percentage was 100 % for the
dairy farmers and 94 % for the herd veterinarians. Initial anal-
ysis was an agreement based on Cohens Kappa and weight-
ed Kappa value. Focusing on some of the results, the farmer
regards the vet as most important in handling udder health in
the dairy herd, with 91 % answering agree or strongly agreeing
to this question. Also, in converting Evidence-Based Scientific
Data to operational consulting, 74 % of the farmers agree or
strongly agree about the vet`s effort. The data will be further
analyzed, focusing on the agreement between the farmer and
the vet, linked to the outcome BMTSCC as a proxy of udder
health. This will high light where the herd veterinarian needs
to focus to maintain the role as resource in the area udder
health management in competition with other professionals
and equipment supplier.
Conclusions: The initial results highlight differences in
perception between farmer and herd veterinarians regarding
udder health. Identifying potential obstacles is essential be-
cause the farmer sees the herd veterinarian as critical in udder
health consulting. The vet translates evidence-based knowl-
edge in udder health management to apply practical solutions
for the farmer.
References:
Henk Hogeveen, W.S. and C.A.W. 2019. Production Dis-
eases Reduce the Efficiency of Dairy Production_A Review
of the Results, Methods, and Approaches Regarding the Eco-
nomics of Mastitis.
Jansen, J., R.J. Renes, and T.J.G.M. Lam. 2010a. Evalua-
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Udder Health and Mastitis
tion of two communication strategies to improve udder health
management. J. Dairy Sci. 93:604–612. doi:10.3168/jds.2009-
2531.
Jansen, J., C.D.M. Steuten, R.J. Renes, N. Aarts, and
T.J.G.M. Lam. 2010b. Debunking the myth of the hard-to-
reach farmer: Effective communication on udder health. J.
Dairy Sci. 93:1296–1306. doi:10.3168/jds.2009-2794.
von Keyserlingk, M.A.G., J. Rushen, A.M. de Passillé, and
D.M. Weary. 2009. Invited review: The welfare of dairy cattle—
Key concepts and the role of science. J. Dairy Sci. 92:4101–
4111. doi:10.3168/JDS.2009-2326.
Likert, R. 1932. A technique for the measurement of atti-
tudes.. Arch. Psychol. 22 140:55.
McDermott, M.P., M.A. Cobb, V.A. Tischler, I.J. Robbé, and
R.S. Dean. 2017. Evaluating veterinary practitioner percep-
tions of communication skills and training. Vet. Rec. 180:305.
doi:10.1136/vr.103997.
NMC. 2016. Recommended Mastitis Control Program.
Natl. Mastit. Counc. www.nmconline.org/docs/NMC/checklist.
pdf. 1–2.
Keywords: Management, udder health, social science.
UH-34
Fly repellency using deltamethrin reduces intramammary
infections, stress and fatigue indicators of dairy ewes under
intensive management
Konstantinos V. Arsenopoulos1, Georgios Sioutas1, Eleutherios
Triantafillou2, Athanasios I. Gelasakis3, Elias Papadopoulos1.
1
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece; 2Vet
Analyseis, Veterinary Microbiological Laboratory, Larissa, Greece;
3
Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the fly re-
pellency effect of deltamethrin and link it to the occurrence of
common bacterial intramammary infections (IMI), milk somatic
cell counts (SCC), the serum cortisol (SC) and creatine kinase
(CK) levels (stress and fatigue indicators, respectively) during
the fly season.
Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in
one intensively reared dairy sheep flock of Lacaune breed,
located at Thessaloniki (Central Macedonia, Greece), be-
tween June and July 2020. Fifty multiparous ewes were ran-
domly assigned in two similar groups (n=25 ewes per group);
deltamethrin treated group (D group) and control group (C
group). Group D ewes were individually dressed on their
back with deltamethrin 10% (Deltanil® 10 mg/mL, Virbac Hel-
las, Greece) on day 0. The enumeration of the fly burden was
carried out by direct observation of the animals on day 0 and
two more times with 15-days intervals (i.e., day 15 and 30)
to assess the repellency effect of deltamethrin. Moreover, 10
fly traps (5 per group) with sticky surface were set in pre-
defined locations of equal distances within the pens at the
level of the ewes. Individual blood samples were collected
at the forementioned time points, while an electrochemilu-
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minescence immunoassay method and spectrophotometry
were used to estimate SC and CK concentrations, respec-
tively. On every sampling occasion, milk samples were col-
lected from each individual ewe and were transported to the
laboratory to be microbiologically assayed, emphasizing on
the isolation of Staphylococcus aureus and Coagulase-neg-
ative Staphylococci (CNS). Moreover, SCC were estimated
using an automatic high-throughput analyzer. Mixed linear
regression models were built to estimate the random effect
of the ewe and the fixed effects of deltamethrin treatment
and sampling occasion on the logarithmic values of flies, S.
aureus CFU (Colony-forming units), CNS CFU, SCC, as well
as SC and CK levels. All statistical analyses were performed
using SPSS (v23).
Results: Deltamethrin treatment was associated with a
reduced number of flies (mostly Musca domestica) landed on
treated ewes, compared to untreated ones (p<0.05). Also, the
application of deltamethrin was associated with decreased
colony-forming units in the case of CNS IMI (p<0.05) and SCC
in the milk (p<0.001). Likewise, SC and CK levels were signifi-
cantly lower in the deltamethrin-treated ewes (p<0.001).
Conclusions: Deltamethrin application was associated
with decreased colony forming units of CNS, isolated from IMI
cases. Furthermore, the reduction in the logarithm of SCC in
the deltamethrin-treated group implies that fly repellency using
deltamethrin favours the health status of the mammary gland
possibly via the reduction of pathogens transferred by flies and
the inflammation caused by them. Finally, reduced SC and CK
concentrations in the deltamethrin treated ewes support the
assumption that fly-repellency effect of deltamethrin facilitates
the control of flies and contributes to a more welfare-friendly
environment for intensively reared dairy ewes.
Keywords: Dairy ewes, deltamethrin, fly, mastitis.
UH-35
Bulk-tank somatic-cell count as an indicator for mastitis-
infection rates and fertility in the herd
Viktoria Neubauer1, Franz-Ferdinand Roch2, Walter Obritzhauser3,
Martin Wagner2, Beate Conrady4.
1
Austrian Competence Centre for Feed and Food Quality, Safety,
and Innovation, FFoQSI GmbH, 3430 Tulln, Austria; 2Unit for
Food Microbiology, Institute for Food Safety, Food Technology and
Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210
Vienna, Austria; 3Unit of Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology,
Institute of Food Safety, Food Technology and Veterinary Public Health,
University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria; 4Department
of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1870
Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
Objectives: Some dairies in Austria use stricter milk-qual-
ity parameters than other EU and non-EU countries. Farmers
only receive enhanced payment for the highest milk quality, if
the bulk-tank milk somatic-cell count (SCC) is <200,000 cells/
ml, and the aerobic mesophilic count (AMC) is <50,000/ml.
The background of more strict thresholds is that the regular
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
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400,000 cells for shipping milk are rather high compared to
the maximum SCC of 150,000 found in a healthy udder. The
objective of this study was to show that a bulk tank SCC of
<200,000 is an indicator for better udder health, in terms of
mastitis-infection rates, and better herd-management, indicat-
ed by fertility and nutritional-related parameters, compared to
higher SCC in the bulk tank.
Materials and methods: Data from 24 Austrian dairy
farms (on average 36 cows with 8470 kg milk/cow/305 days)
were collected for two years. Bulk-tank somatic-cell count was
used to assign the farms to low SCC herds (LSCC; >200,000
cells/ml in maximum 10% of the tests), and high SCC herds
(HSCC; >200,000 cells/ml in more than 10% of the tests).
None of the farms ever exceeded the maximum threshold of
400.000 cells for shipping milk. From the herd data of at least
20 routine-milk tests, individual cow data (i.e., SCC, number
of lactations, days in milk, protein-urea class, waiting time,
days open, calving interval) were extracted. The individual
cow SCC were assigned to SCC-classes (class1 ≤50,000;
class2 ≤100,000; class3 ≤200,000; class4 ≤400,000; class5
>400,000 cells). Class 1 and 2 were considered as healthy,
class3 as suspect, class4 and 5 as infected. Cows were con-
sidered chronically infected with being at least two consecutive
tests infected, or three consecutive tests suspect or infected.
The new-infection rate was calculated using the first milk-test-
ing SCC of the lactation. SCC classes before and after the dry-
off period of the same cow were used to calculate the infection
or healing rate during the dry period. Statistical analysis was
done using Mann-Whitney-U, Moods-Median, or chi²-Test, in-
cluding posthoc tests, depending on the variables analyzed
and data distribution. HSCC and LSCC were the fixed effects,
and the evaluated herd data and mastitis indicators as depen-
dent variables.
Results: LSCC had more cows in SCC-class1 (51%) and
fewer cows in class3 (15%), 4 (7%), and 5 (6%) than HSCC
(28, 23, 15, 13%, respectively; P<0.01). HSCC had more
chronically infected cows (44%) than LSCC (20%; P<0.01).
LSCC had more healthy cows and less infected cows before
dry-off than HSCC (55 vs. 31%, 22 vs. 41%, respectively;
P<0.01). New-infection rate and suspect animals at the begin-
ning of the lactation were higher in HSCC than LSCC (24 vs.
12%, 15 vs. 8%, respectively; P<0.001). A higher new-infection
rate on HSCC was seen for both primiparous (P=0.06) and
multiparous (P<0.01) cows. The proportion of cows staying
healthy during the dry period was twice as high in LSCC than
in HSCC (48% vs. 24%; P<0.01), and of staying infected was
higher in HSCC (15 vs. 5%; P<0.01). The waiting days, days
open, and calving intervals were shorter in LSCC than HSCC
(P<0.01). LSCC had more cows in the optimum protein-urea
class, reflecting optimal feeding regimen than at HSCC (37 vs.
31%, P<0.01).
Conclusion: The study showed that a change to a bulk
tank SCC of <200,000 is an indicator for lower mastitis dis-
ease rates in the individual cows. The more optimal fertility
parameters and feeding regimen prove that LSCC farms also
have better general herd management. Better udder health
and optimal management are indicators for overall better ani-
mal health on these farms. Therefore, quality programs should
consider lower thresholds for the bulk tank milk to value the
work of LSCC farms and support the improvement of HSCC
farms to contribute to better dairy-cow health.
 ORAL — Udder Health and Mastitis

Keywords: New infection rate, Healing rate, cow health, UH-37

udder health.
Efficacy of a ready-to-use udder care product based on lactic
acid for daily teat disinfection after milking by spraying
Tiago Tavares1, Elien Claeys2, Lawrence Grab2, Korneel Decroos2,
Elisabet Rodriguez3.
UH-36 1
CID LINES, An Ecolab Company, Lisbon, Portugal; 2CID LINES, An
Dry period management and new high somatic cell count Ecolab Company, Ieper, Belgium; 3CID LINES, An Ecolab Company,
during the dry period in Dutch dairy herds under selective Sant Joan Despí, Spain.
dry cow therapy
Betsie Krattley1, Lotte Huybens2, Mirjam Nielen3, Tine Van Werven3. Objectives: The goal of the present trial was to assess the
efficacy of a ready-to-use udder care disinfectant based on
ULP Harmelen, Harmelen, Netherlands; 2Vet Clinic IJmond Noord,
1
lactic acid (Kenolac® SD, PT3 biocidal product-type, from CID
Castricum, Netherlands; 3Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht LINES, An Ecolab Company) for daily teat disinfection after
University, Utrecht, Netherlands. milking by spraying.
Material & Methods: Two studies were designed to assess
Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the cur- the efficacy of the product. In the laboratory study, Kenolac®
rent management practices that could influence udder health SD disinfectant efficacy was tested according to the Europe-
during the dry period and to investigate the associations be- an Norms (EN 1040 and EN 1656) against mastitis causing
tween management and new high SCC during the dry period. bacteria (test conditions: in presence of organic matter, in 5
In 2008 the Netherlands started to improve transparency and minutes contact time).
decrease the use of antimicrobials in animal husbandry. Pre-
vention of new high SCC during the dry period via antimicrobi-
al dry cow treatment (DCT) was no longer allowed in animals Test Organism Concentra- Contact Tempera- Interfering
with a low SCC before the dry period. An increase of new high tion time ture substance
SCC during the dry period was expected in dairy cows without Bacteria (EN1656) Ready to 5 mins 30 °C 1% skim
antimicrobial protection, but was not observed. Gram + use milk
Staphylococcus Dirty con-
Materials & Methods: In 2018 an online questionnaire aureus (ATCC ditions
was conducted among 1,942 Dutch dairy farms using 12 dif- 6538)
ferent veterinary clinics. The questionnaire asked about the Streptococcus
management of dry cows at the start of and during the dry uberis (ATCC
period, and around calving, considerations in the use of DCT, 19436)
Gram -
and knowledge of the 2012 guidelines for selective DCT. A to-
Escherichia coli
tal of 690 farmers (36%) responded to the questionnaire. Data (ATCC 10536)
on new high SCC during the dry period, use of antimicrobials Yeast (EN1657)
for intramammary DCT and mastitis treatment, herd size, and Candida albicans
milking system were available from other sources. Descriptive
statistics were used to evaluate the associations between the
different variables. For analysis of new high SCC on herd lev- In the field study, the impact of two methods of application
el, explanatory variables were analyzed using a generalized of Kenolac® SD on the microbiological contamination of the
linear mixed model. teats was evaluated: spray and dip. The samples are taken
during milking. Kenolac® SD was used after each milking with
Conclusion: Respondents indicated that the most import- a sprayer or a dip cup, respectively (recommended dosing
ant management factor to reduce the risk of new high SCC regimen: 5 mL per cow per application). After dipping Keno-
was reduction of milk yield before dry-off. The variables asso-
lac® SD on the teats, waiting for 3 minutes contact time was
ciated with a lower proportion of new high SCC on herd level
required.
during the dry period were the use of dip or spray after drying
off, a higher animal-defined daily dose of intramammary anti- The reduction of bacteria growth was evaluated for the two
microbials for DCT, the use of DCT in low-SCC cows based application methods. The scoring system was based on bac-
on SCC or mastitis history, correct knowledge of the guideline, teria count (colony-forming unit-cfu/ml): the bacterial reduction
and awareness of importance of low infection rate and good for Staphylococcus spp. and Coliforms count. These bacteria
hygiene during dry-off. The variables associated with a higher are a good indicator of the mastitis infection pressure, from
proportion of new high SCC on herd level were dry cow hous- contagious and from environmental sources.
ing other than cubicles and a higher animal-defined daily dose Results: Laboratory trial showed that Kenolac® SD re-
for intramammary antimicrobials for mastitis. This research duced the number of viable microorganisms tested by more
clearly indicates that farmers can balance limited use of anti- than 5 log (bacteria) and 4 log (yeast) during 5 minutes of con-
microbials at dry-off with management measures to maintain tact at 30°C under dirty conditions (1% skim milk).
good udder health during the dry period. Statistical analysis of the microbiological results obtained
Keywords: Dry cow management, selective dry cow ther- at the field trial showed similar results for the spray appli-
apy, new high SCC. cation than for the dip application regarding percentage of

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435
ORAL — Udder Health and Mastitis
bacteria reduction on the teats after milking. A high microbi-
ological reduction was achieved for spray application for total
Staphylococcus spp (93,83%, n=114), Staphylococcus aureus
(92,94%, n=114) and Coliforms (99,47%, n=114). For dip ap-
plication, reduction was 90,76% (n=119), 91,4% (n=119) and
98,22% (n=119), respectively.
Conclusions: The efficacy of Kenolac® SD, ready-to-use
udder care biocide based on lactic acid, has been demonstrat-
ed to be efficacious in reducing the amount of microorganisms
involved in dairy cow mastitis, when applied by spraying the
teats after milking.
Keywords: Mastitis, disinfection, teat dip, teat spraying,
lactic acid.
UH-38
Bovine Ischaemic teat necrosis: an observational study
investigating the potential farm level risk factors and
economic impact on GB dairy farms.
Hayley Crosby-Durrani1, Al Manning2, Roger Blowey3, Joao Sucena
Afonso1, Stuart Carter1, Nicholas J. Evans1, Joseph W. Angell4.
University of Liverpool, Neston, United Kingdom; 2Quality Milk
1
Management Services, Wells, United Kingdom; 3Appithorne,
Minsterworth, United Kingdom; 4Wern Vets CYF, Ruthin, United
Kingdom.
Bovine ischaemic teat necrosis (ITN) is an emerging dis-
ease affecting the teats of dairy cattle with many affected an-
imals being culled due to the disease process. Little is known
around the epidemiological and economic data that can inform
control strategies.
Objectives: The aim of this observational study was to
investigate farmer-reported experiences, identify potential
farm-level risk factors ad provide an estimate on the economic
impact of ITN on GB dairy farms.
Materials and methods: In January 2018, a postal ques-
tionnaire with an online and telephone option was sent to a
random sample of 1855 Great Britain (GB) dairy farmers.
Descriptive statistics were utilised to understand the main at-
risk animals and the potential outcomes of the disease. The
economic impact was estimated based on the different clinical
outcomes. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression
models were used to explore associations between the pres-
ence of ITN on farm and various risk factors.
Results: A usable response rate of 12.3% was obtained.
Fifty-one percent (95% confidence interval (CI): 44.4 - 57.8%)
of farmers reported having experienced ITN on their farm be-
tween 1985-2018. Rising numbers of farms indicated ITN is
an emerging disease with 46.3% of farmers reporting the first
case in the three years up to 2018. At the animal level, 47.3%
(95% CI: 38.7-55.9%) of cases occurred during the first lacta-
tion and 78.9% (95% CI: 75.2-82.6%) within the first 90 days in
milk. Only 20.8% (95% CI: 15.9-26.4%) of cases were report-
ed to recover, whereas 22.8% (95% CI: 17.8-28.5%) of cases
required culling. The remaining cases experienced complica-
tions such as loss of a teat and/or mastitis. From these data,
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
436
the cost of ITN, through production losses and expenditure,
was estimated to be £1121 per farm per year. The costs were
estimated at £720, £860 and £2133 for recovered, complicat-
ed and culled cases, respectively. The presence of udder cleft
dermatitis (UCD) (odds ratio 2.80; 95% CI: 1.54-5.07; p-val-
ue <0.01) and chapped teats (odds ratio 6.07; 95% CI: 1.96-
18.76; p-value <0.01) in the milking herd were associated with
the presence of ITN at farm-level.
Conclusions: This is the first national questionnaire of ITN
within GB and highlights the association of UCD and chapped
teats with ITN at farm-level. While there are many limitations
and potential bias around farmer questionnaires these findings
highlight several key areas for further disease investigation
and possible intervention.
Keywords: Bovine; Ischaemia; Necrosis; Questionnaire;
Risk factors; Dairy.
UH-39
The use of cabergoline at dry-off reduces the probability of
milk leakage and dry-off stress-related behaviours in large
commercial dairy herds in Torreón, Mexico
Philippe Gisbert1, Juan Munoz1, Oclydes Barbarini1, Rolando
Morales2, Fernanda Quinones2, Carla Azevedo1.
Ceva Santé Animale, Libourne, France; 2Ceva Salud Animal, Mexico
1
City, Mexico.
Objectives: Cabergoline is a dry-off facilitator that reduc-
es milk leakage by 81% and new intramammary infections by
21% (Hop et al, 2019), accelerates mammary gland involution
and improves its immune response (Boutinaud et al, 2016,
2017), and improves lying time (Bach et al, 2015). However,
no studies to date have investigated the benefits of the use of
cabergoline at dry-off on dairy cows under Mexican field con-
ditions. The objective of this study was to investigate, under
Mexican field conditions, the effect of one single administra-
tion of cabergoline (Velactis®, Ceva Santé Animale, Libourne,
France) at dry-off on milk leakage incidence and frequency of
dry-off stress-related behaviours.
Materials and methods: The trial was conducted in 2018,
and involved 322 Holstein- Frisian dairy cows from 3 modern
commercial dairy farm in the area of Torreón. Cows were en-
rolled in the trial if they were 210 days in gestation and daily
milk production was equal or more than 25kg the day before
dry-off. All cows were dried off abruptly and randomly assigned
to one of two groups: treatment group (n = 161) received a
single intramuscular injection of 5.6 mg of cabergoline after
last milking at 217 days of gestation (dry period length of 53
days) and the control group (n=161) was dried off at 210 days
in gestation (dry period length of 60 days) and left untreated.
Cows were observed at 24- and 48-hours following treatment
for a period of 2 hours. The incidence of milk leakage and
frequency of observation of dry-off stress-related behaviour
(agitation, increased vocalization, waiting in front of the gates
to the milking parlour, aggressive behaviour) were recorded
during both periods. Chi-square test was used to determine if

relation between variables was significant.
Results: The results demonstrated that cows in caber-
goline group were less likely to have milk leakage than cows
in control group (1.9% vs. 13.4%, P ˂ 0.01). Moreover, cows
treated with cabergoline were less likely to express at least
one dry-off stress-related behaviour than cows in control
group (9.5% vs. 29.8%, P ˂ 0.01).
Conclusions: It is the first time that the impact of caber-
goline on milk leakage and dry-off stress-related behaviour
is evaluated in Mexican commercial dairy farms. Our data
provide evidence that a single injection of cabergoline at dry-
off significatively reduces the incidence of milk leakage and
stress-related behaviour in dairy cows and therefore improves
management, udder health and welfare of the dairy cow.
Keywords: Cabergoline, dry-off, Milk leakage, Mexico,
Cow.
UH-40
The impact of herd size and milking technology on milk
production in dairy cattle units
Dorottya Ivanyos1, Attila Monostori2, Csaba Németh2, István Fodor1,
László Ózsvári1.
1
Department of Veterinary Forensics and Economics, University
of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, Budapest, Hungary; 2Livestock
Performance Testing Ltd, Gödöllő, Hungary.
Objectives: The aim of the study was to survey the milking
technology, and to assess the relationship between the milking
technology, the herd size, and the milk production parameters
on commercial dairy farms.
Material and Methods: The milking technology was sur-
veyed by using a questionnaire on 417 Hungarian dairy herds
with 177,514 cows in 2017, and it was compared with their
official farm milk production data. The surveyed farms were
categorized according to their size (Group 1: 1-50, Group 2:
51-300, Group 3: 301-600, and Group 4: >600 cows) and to
their milking parlour types (herringbone, parallel, carousel,
and others). The relationships were analysed by multivariate
linear models, one-way ANOVA, and Fisher’s exact test. Pair-
wise comparisons were performed by Tukey’s post hoc tests.
Results: The number of farms was 40 (9.6%) in Group
1, 140 (33.6.0%) in Group 2, 142 (34.0%) in Group 3, and 95
(22.8%) in Group 4. The most commonly used type of milking
parlours was the herringbone (296 farms, 71.0%), followed by
the parallel (62 farms, 14.9%), the carousel (40 farms, 9.6%),
and others (19 farms, 4.6%). Herds with different milking par-
lour types significantly differed in herd size (p<0.001), except
for the parallel vs. other parlour types. The occurrence of paral-
lel and carousel parlour systems decreased with the herd size.
The number of milking stalls per farm increased with the
number of cows (p<0.001). Farms with herringbone parlour
had significantly smaller number of milking stalls than the
farms with parallel (p=0.022) and the carousel (p<0.001) par-
lours.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Udder Health and Mastitis
Herd size was significantly associated with the number
of daily milkings (p<0.001). The number of daily milkings in-
creased with the herd size, 60.0% of the farms with more than
600 cows milked the cows three or four times per day. The
type of milking parlour was significantly related to the number
of milkings per day (p<0.001). On dairy farms using herring-
bone parlours the cows were mostly milked two times a day,
but where parallel or carousel milking parlour was installed the
occurrence of this milking practice diminished.
Herd size was associated with average daily milk pro-
duction per cow (p<0.001) and the average daily milk yield
(p<0.001). As the herd size increased, so did the average dai-
ly milk yield (p<0.001) and the average daily milk production
per cow (p<0.001). Herd size was significantly related to SCC
(p<0.001), with the largest farms having the best quality milk
in terms of somatic cell count.
The type of milking parlour was related to the average dai-
ly milk yield (p=0.039), and showed a tendency with average
daily milk production per cow (p=0.062). Dairy farms using
parallel milking parlours had significantly larger average daily
milk production per cow (p=0.033) and average daily milk yield
(p=0.019), than farms using herringbone parlour. The type of
milking parlour tended to be associated with SCC (p=0.061).
Herringbone parlours resulted in the highest average SCC,
although no significant differences were found between the
different parlour types.
Conclusion: The dairy herd size in Hungary has a huge
range and large differences can also be seen in the milking
technology (e.g. parlour type, number of milking stalls, and
daily milkings) and milk production parameters (e.g. daily milk
yield, SCC) between farms. However, majority of the surveyed
farms still use herringbone parlours, but over 600 cows the
parallel and carousel milking systems also play a significant
role. Our findings show that the herd size has a greater impact
on the milk production parameters than the type of milking
parlour. The larger dairy farms may have better and newer
housing, feeding conditions, and milking technologies, which
could allow for higher milk production, however the average
SCC was high in all size groups.
Acknowledgement: The Project was supported by the
European Union and co-financed by the European Social
Fund: (1) EFOP-3.6.1-16-2016-00024; (2) EFOP-3.6.2-16-
2017-00012; and (3) EFOP-3.6.3-VEKOP-16-2017-00005.
Keywords: Dairy, milking technology, milking parlour, ud-
der health, milk production.
UH-41
Determining the Cut-off value of Bovine Leukemia Virus
proviral load based on the severity of clinical mastitis
Aiko Watanabe1, Hironobu Murakami2, Tomoya Hirose3, Seiichi
Kakinuma4, Koki Murao4, Kaori Ohmae4, Hirohisa Akamatsu5,
Takahiro Seto6, Yasunori Shinozuka7, Yoko Aida8, Kazuhiro Kawai7.
School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University. Kakinuma
1
Veterinary Hospital, Sagamihara, Honjo, Japan; 2School of Veterinary
Medicine, Azabu University, Sagamihara, Japan; 3Viral Infectious
437
ORAL — Udder Health and Mastitis
Disease Unit, RIKEN, Wako, Japan; 4Kakinuma Veterinary Hospital,
Honjo, Japan; 5Akamatsu Farm Clinic, Fujinomiya, Japan; 6Shizuoka
Prefecture Livestock Research Institute, Fujinomiya, Japan; 7School of
Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University. Azabu University Mastitis
Research Center, Sagamihara, Japan; 8Viral Infectious Disease Unit,
RIKEN. Nakamura Laboratory, Baton Zone Program, RIKEN Cluster
for Science, Technology and Innovation Hub, Wako, Japan.
Objectives: Severe bovine mastitis causes considerable
economic losses in the dairy industry due to significantly low-
ered milk production and an increase in cow mortality. Enzo-
otic bovine leukosis (EBL) is caused by the bovine leukemia
virus (BLV), and its prevalence in Japan has been steadily in-
creasing. It has been reported that the proviral load (PVL), i.e.,
the proviral copy number of BLV in the blood of BLV-infected
cows increases as the disease progresses, and that the prev-
alence of BLV tends to be higher on farms where the majori-
ty of cows have high PVL. In addition, previous studies have
shown that the  recurrence of bovine mastitis and morbidity
rates were significantly higher on farms with a high prevalence
of BLV compared to farms with uninfected cows. Further, oth-
er studies have demonstrated a strong association between
the severity of clinical mastitis and PVL. Taken together, these
findings imply that PVL may be associated with other diseas-
es. Although methods for diagnosing and screening for PVL
based on DNA concentration and cell number have been de-
veloped, the application of PVL as a criterion for evaluating the
risk of clinical mastitis severity has not yet been examined. The
purpose of this study was therefore to establish whether PVL
values could be used to assess clinical mastitis severity using
two quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) methods.
The first method is targeting the BLV pol gene among evalu-
ations based on DNA concentration (DNA-based qPCR), and
the second method uses the Coordination of Common Motifs
(CoCoMo) algorithm targeting the BLV long terminal repeat
(BLV-CoCoMo-qPCR) among the evaluations based on cell
number (Cell-based qPCR).
Materials and Methods: Milk and blood samples were
collected from a total of 63 lactating Holstein-Friesian dairy
cows with clinical mastitis from 13 dairy farms. The severity of
clinical mastitis among all cases was classified as mild (milk
abnormalities; n=32) or severe (milk abnormalities, udder ab-
normalities and general symptoms; n=31). DNA-based qPCR
and cell-based qPCR were used to determine the PVL at the
onset of clinical mastitis. Utilizing receiver operator character-
istic  curve analysis and the Youden index, and the severity
of clinical mastitis as the dependent variable (outcome) and
PVL as the independent variable, we estimated PVL cut-off
values to estimate the onset of severe clinical mastitis for both
the  DNA-based qPCR and cell-based qPCR methods.  Us-
ing cut-off values determined by DNA-based qPCR and cell-
based qPCR as classification criteria, we classified PVL into
the following three groups: High PVL (above cut-off value),
Low PVL (below cut-off value), and Negative (PVL below de-
tectable limits), and evaluated short- and long-term prognoses
after the onset of clinical mastitis. Specifically, short-term prog-
nosis was assessed by measuring milk somatic cell count in
milk (SCC) on day 1, 7, 14 and 21, and long-term prognosis by
estimating 6-year survival rates.
Results: The cut-off value was 18.4  (copies/10 ng
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
438
DNA) (AUC (area under the curve): 0.731, sensitivity: 0.781,
specificity: 0.71) using  DNA-based qPCR, and  16,777 (cop-
ies/105 cells) (AUC: 0.731, sensitivity: 0.531, specificity: 0.903)
using  cell-based qPCR.  Nosignificant differences were  ob-
served in either SCC or the 6-year survival rate among the
three groups classified using the cut-off value; High-PVL group
(DNA- based qPCR; n=34, Cell-based qPCR; n= 21), Low-PVL
group (DNA-based qPCR; n=20, Cell-based qPCR; n=32) and
Negative group (DNA-based qPCR; n=9,  Cell-based qPCR;
n=10).
Conclusions: Using  DNA- and  cell-based qPCR assays
to determine PVL cut-off values and then estimate the sever-
ity of clinical mastitis was moderately accurate; no difference
in accuracy was observed between the methods. The results
implied that the cut-off value determined by both methods can
be used to evaluate the risk of severe mastitis. In evaluating
short- and long-term prognoses, no significant differences
were observed among the High-PVL, Low-PVL, and Negative
groups. The results suggested that the cut-off value may not
be effective for predicting short- or long-term prognoses, but
that it can be used as a criterion for evaluating the risk of se-
vere clinical mastitis.
Keywords: Bovine leukemia virus, Cut-off value, Proviral
load, Severity of mastitis.
UH-42
Comparison of various diagnostic tests for early diagnosis
of mastitis in dairy goats
Rakesh Kumar, Dhiraj Kumar Gupta, B.K. Bansal, Shukriti Sharma.
Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University,
Ludhiana, India.
Objectives: Subclinical mastitis (SCM) is one of the most
important infectious diseases in goats that affect 5-30% goats.
Early detection of mastitis followed by preventive activities in
controlling the infections becomes of utmost importance. Pa-
rameters like somatic cell count (SCC), California Mastitis Test
(CMT), electrical conductivity (EC), pH, milk composition and
N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAGase) have been evaluat-
ed for diagnosis of SCM. SCC has been accepted as the most
effective index of mammary inflammation in dairy herds to
evaluate yield and quality of milk. The CMT roughly estimates
the number of cells of the immune system and epithelial cells
in a given milk sample. CMT levels correlate well with SCC
levels found in caprine milk. During mastitis, NAGase activi-
ty has been found to be reliable for the detection of mastitis
pathogen induced IMI. Measurement of electrical conductivity
(EC) provides another way to detect mastitis. Concentration
of lactose in milk decreases slightly in case of inflammation,
making it promising to be applied as an indicator of IMI. If sen-
sitivity and accuracy are the most important factors in mastitis
diagnosis methods, the milk NAGase activity test and lactose
content in milk together have the highest likelihood to be the
most reliable. However, no single method is completely reli-
able in detecting subclinical mastitis.

Materials and methods: A cross sectional study was
carried out involving 200 apparently healthy randomly select-
ed lactating beetal crossbred goats from 10 loose dairy goat
flocks across the state. The flocks were visited during morn-
ing hours and the Quarter foremilk (QFM) milk samples were
aseptically collected. The analysis of milk samples for SCC
was done using milk somatic cell counter (DELTA Instrument,
The Netherland). Results were expressed in × 103cells/ ml.
CMT was conducted by as per standard method described by
Pandit and Mehta (1969). The EC using Electrical Conductivity
Meter (Mettler Toledo), pH by digital pH meter and fat, protein
and lactose content in milk using Milk analyser were recorded.
The NAGase activity was measured using the spectrophoto-
metric method of Kitchen et al (1978) with some modifications.
The tests applied for diagnosis were correlated with each oth-
er. Sensitivity (SE), Specificity (SP), Likelihood Ratio (LR),
Positive Predictive Value (PPV) and Negative Predictive Value
(NPV) of these tests were evaluated. Discriminating Function-
al Analysis of the diagnostic tests was done at cut-off points
where the tests are having maximum SE and SP to see the
efficacy of test to diagnose subclinical mastitis.
Results and Conclusions: The pearson correlation test
was applied to find out the correlation among different di-
agnostic tests. The CMT, lactose content, pH, NAGase and
Log10NAGase were significantly (p < 0.01) positively correlat-
ed with SCC. At cut-off value of 700 and 750 (×10³ cells/ml),
SCC was having comparatively high SE (51.40, 52.00), SP
(89.45, 89.19), LR (4.87, 4.81), PPV (0.38 each) and NPV
(0.63 each), respectively. The SE, SP, LR, PPV and NPV at
600 (×10³ cells/ml) were same as those at 700 (×10³ cells/ml).
So, we can consider 650/700 or 750 as most suitable cutoff
value to differentiate infected udder halves from non-infected
ones. NAGase activity at cut-off value of 25 and 30 (nMoles/
ml/min) showed moderately high SE, SP, LR , PPV and NPV.
So, we can consider either of these cut-off values as most
suitable to diagnose intra-mammary infection. For EC, pH and
Lactose the cut-off values 6.4, 6.4 and 4.6, respectively were
found most suitable to differentiate infected udder halves from
non-infected ones.
At cut-off values of 750 (×10³cells/ml) for SCC, 25nMoles/
ml/min for NAGase, 6.4 for EC, 6.5 for pH and 4.4% for lac-
tose, the Discriminating Functional Analysis showed that SCC,
NAGase, EC, pH and lactose could be able to discriminate
the positive cases with negative ones by 85.16%, 66.36%,
60.82%, 69.23% and 49.94%, respectively.
Keywords: Diagnosis, mastitis, goats, SCC, NAGase.
UH-43
Field trial to compare efficacy of two commercially available
Escherichia coli J-5 vaccines against clinical coliform
mastitis
Norman Stewart1, Scott Nordstrom1, John Champaign1, Alison
Hurwitch1, Joe Hogan2.
Merck Animal Health, Madison, NJ, United States; 2Ohio Agricultural
1
Research and Development Center, The Ohio State University, Wooster,
United States.
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Udder Health and Mastitis
Objective: The first 100 days of lactation is a period of
physiological transition for dairy cows, critical to the health and
production for animals during the current and future lactations.
Clinical coliform mastitis during this period has potentially neg-
ative impacts on the performance and longevity of a cow in
the herd. The use of Escherichia coli J-5 bacterins before par-
turition and in early lactation has been shown to reduce the
severity and duration of clinical coliform mastitis. The purpose
of the current trial was to compare the efficacies of two com-
mercially available Escherichia coli J-5 vaccines for reducing
the incidence of clinical coliform mastitis during the first 100
days of lactation.
Materials & Methods: Cows enrolled in the trial were
from a commercial herd of Holsteins. Within each projected
treatment allocation week, cows were ranked based on their
previous lactation milk production, within parity group, and
then randomly assigned to one of the two treatment groups.
Heifers were randomly allocated only by their electronic iden-
tification numbers. Experimental animals within a treatment
group were immunized with one of two different commercially
available bacterins: either vaccine 1 (Enviracor™ J-5; Zoetis
Inc.) or vaccine 2 (Bovilis® J-5; MSD Animal Health Intervet
Inc.). Both bacterins were administered at approximately 60 d
prior to anticipated calving (day of drying off for cows), approx-
imately 30 d after the primary immunization and on day 14 of
lactation. All immunizations were 5 ml subcutaneous approxi-
mately 100 mm anterior of the scapula on the neck.
Clinical mastitis was diagnosed by farm personnel and
quarter foremilk samples collected for bacteriological analyses
prior to antibiotic therapy. The number of clinical cases was
determined retrospectively by an investigator blinded to treat-
ment codes using all reports of clinical signs and culture re-
sults of milk samples. Dairy-Comp 305 recording system was
used to collect milk production following vaccination during
lactation, first service pregnancy rates, percentage of preg-
nancies lost, and mortality and culling data for comparisons
between treatment groups.
Results: Health and production data for 506 animals in the
vaccine 1 group and 479 in the vaccine 2 group were analyzed.
Rate of clinical mastitis caused by coliform bacteria during the
first 100 days in milk for animals immunized with vaccine 1
was .0444 cases/ 100 cow-days compared with 0.0183 cases/
100 cow-days for cows vaccinated with vaccine 2 (P < 0.05).
Rate of total clinical mastitis also differed between treatments
with 0.1138 cases/100 cow-days in vaccine 1 cows and .0690
cases/100 cow-days in vaccine 2 cows (P < 0.05). Rates of
clinical cases caused by environmental streptococci, coagu-
lase-negative staphylococci, other pathogens and bacteriolog-
ically- negative clinical cases did not differ between vaccine
treatment groups. Percentage of animals that died or culled
in the first 100 days in milk did not differ (P > 0.05) between
cows immunized with vaccine 1 (4.4%) and vaccine 2 (3.8%).
Percentage of cows pregnant after first artificial insemination
service was 33.9% for vaccine 1 cows and 35.8% for vaccine
2 cows (P > 0.05). Pregnancy loss was 7.1% for cows in the
vaccine 1 groups and 5.8% for those in the vaccine 2 group (P
> 0.05). Daily milk production did not differ between vaccine
groups for the two days prior to the immunization on day 14
of lactation, day 14 of lactation, or the three days after the
immunization.
439
ORAL — Udder Health and Mastitis
Conclusion: The efficacy of vaccines differed in reducing
clinical mastitis caused by coliform bacteria during the first 100
days of lactation. Use of vaccine 2 reduced the rate of clin-
ical coliform mastitis 2.4-fold greater than use of vaccine 1.
Incidence of death and early culling, first service conception
rate, and pregnancy losses did not differ between animals in
the two vaccine groups. Milk production did not differ between
groups on the days surrounding immunization on day 14 of
lactation.
Keywords: Field efficacy trial, vaccination, coliform masti-
tis, E. coli, J-5 vaccines.
UH-44
Streptococcus agalactiae: new insights about a long-known
mastitis pathogen
Annet Heuvelink1, Manon Holstege1, Christian Scherpenzeel1, Stefan
Bollen2, Michel Swarts1, Theo Lam3.
Royal GD, Deventer, Netherlands; 2Utrecht University, Utrecht,
1
Netherlands; 3Royal GD / Utrecht University, Deventer, Netherlands.
Introduction and objectives: Streptococcus agalactiae is
one of the first pathogens that was described as having harm-
ful consequences for udder health in dairy cows. Until some
decades ago it was considered a strictly cow-bound pathogen
that was highly contagious within a herd, led to serious con-
sequences with respect to subclinical and clinical mastitis, but
was relatively easy to manage when adapting the traditional
five point mastitis prevention scheme. At some point in time,
in some regions S. agalactiae was almost considered eradi-
cated. In recent years, however, several scientific publications
indicated the pathogen was still present and even increased in
prevalence. Voices from practice in the Netherlands endorse
this, while indicating that the pathogen is not as harmful as it
used to be in previous times. In our laboratory at GD we found
that some S. agalactiae isolates had a surprising non-hemolyt-
ic character. This led to the question whether one of the most
long-known pathogens in dairy mastitis, S. agalactiae, had
changed over time, and whether enough attention is paid to
this pathogen.
Material and methods: In the standard operating proce-
dure (SOP) at GD, bulk milk samples from dairy farmers par-
ticipating in the voluntary udder health surveillance program
are examined on modified Edward’s medium (EDW) for the
presence of S. agalactiae. Based on the apparent changed
hemolytic character of some S. agalactiae strains combined
with the experience that EDW is sometimes difficult to read for
the presence of S. agalactiae, it was decided to also use Bril-
liance GBS agar (SOP + GBS) for a one year period. Herd-lev-
el results on the prevalence of S. agalactiae based on the SOP
and based on the SOP + GBS were compared. Additionally
some management characteristics as well as the antimicrobi-
al usage (AMU) in S. agalactiae positive herds based on the
SOP, based on the SOP + GBS and S. agalactiae negative
herds were compared.
Results: Bulk tank milk samples were collected during 10
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
440
sampling rounds from a one-year period from August 2020 un-
til July 2021 in on average 1,896 herds, varying from 1,443 to
2,180 herds per sampling round. The prevalence of S. aga-
lactiae per sampling round based on SOP + GBS varied from
2.4% to 2.8% of samples. By adding GBS to the SOP, 25%
up to 72% more S. agalactiae positive samples per sampling
round were found, indicating GBS has a significant added val-
ue in S. agalactiae diagnosis of bulk milk samples. Comparing
101 herds that were positive for S. agalactiae during a one-
year period, the pathogen was found on GBS in 93 herds and
on EDW in 84 herds at some point in time. In the 93 herds pos-
itive on GBS, S. agalactiae was also found on EDW in three or
more samples in 28 herds. In the 84 herds positive on EDW,
S. agalactiae was also found on GBS in three or more samples
in 51 herds. This indicates GBS seems to have more added
value in finding S. agalactiae than EDW, but that combining
both media is needed to optimize sensitivity.
Disucsion and conclusion: Comparing udder health be-
tween herds positive for S. agalactiae in the SOP approach to
those in the SOP + GBS approach during the first four rounds
of the study did not reveal significant differences. Comparison
of AMU revealed that total AMU in adult cows as well as in-
tramammary AMU was higher for S. agalactiae positive herds
than for negative controls, with a lower total and intramamma-
ry AMU for herds that were only positive in the SOP + GBS
approach than those found in the SOP approach.
In conclusion it seems that, contrary to reports from the
start of this century, S. agalactiae is still present in modern
dairy farms, but may behave less aggressive. Specific atten-
tion should be given to its diagnostics, in which Brilliance GBS
agar has an added value. It may be so that S. agalactiae cul-
tured on GBS only behaves different from those also cultured
on EDW. This needs further study, including analysis of culture
results and possibly genome sequencing.
Keywords: Mastitis, streptococcus agalactiae, diagnosis.
UH-45
Presence of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Staphylococci
Isolated from Bovine Subclinical Mastitis
Zafer Cantekin1, Gamze Ozge Ozmen1, Melek Demir1, Zeynep
Yılmaz Er1, Kemal Gurturk2, Hasan Solmaz3, Ismail Hakki Ekin2,
Dilek Ozturk4, Ahmet Gozer1, Yasar Ergun1.
1
Hatay Mustafa Kemal University, Hatay, Turkey; 2Yuzuncu Yil
University, Van, Turkey; 3Karabuk University, Karabuk, Turkey;
4
Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University, Burdur, Turkey.
Resistance to antimicrobial agents is an important prob-
lem in the dairy industry and poses a threat to human health.
Antibacterial resistance in staphylococci, especially methicillin
resistance, hampers the treatment and control of staphylococ-
cal infections, which are prevalent in dairy cows. The aim of
this study was to identify antibiotic resistance genes in staph-
ylococci obtained from cases of bovine subclinical mastitis in
three provinces (Burdur, Hatay and Van) in Turkey. In total,
283 isolates (Burdur, n = 36; Hatay, n = 47; Van, n = 200 iso-

lates) were studied. The isolates were first identified as Staph-
ylococcus aureus and/or non-aureus staphylococci (NAS) by
conventional phenotypic methods, and the species was then
confirmed by a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A
simplex PCR assay was performed to detect antibiotic resist-
ance genes (mecA, mecC, aacA-aphD, ermA, ermB, ermC,
tetK, tetM and blaZ). Among the isolates from all three provinc-
es, the blaZ gene was the most prevalent antibiotic resistance
gene, present in 43 out of 156 (28%) NAS isolates, 27 out
of 127 (21%) S. aureus isolates and 25% of the all isolates,
whereas tetM was the most prevalent gene in the Hatay iso-
lates, detected in 64% of all Staphylococcus isolates. The me-
cA-gene was present in 10% of the NAS, and in 3% of the S.
aureus isolates. The mecC and ermA genes were not detected
in any of the isolates. This shows that antimicrobial resistance,
as determined by PCR, is common in Staphylococcus isolates
from mastitis in Turkey, and warrants systematic treatment
protocols as well as the implementation of preventative strate-
gies to reduce antimicrobial usage.
Keywords: Bovine mastitis, antimicrobial resistance,
Staphylococcus.
UH-46
Effects of selective dry cow therapy approach in an Italian
commercial Dairy Farm
Laura Filippone Pavesi, Giulia Sala, Valentina Vailati, Clara Locatelli,
Claudia Pollera, Valerio Bronzo.
University of Milan, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal
Sciences, Lodi, Italy.
Objective: The dry period in dairy cows is a crucial period
for udder health. It provides an opportunity to treat pre-existing
intramammary infections (IMI), using intramammary dry ther-
apy, but leave the udder in a high-risk situation of exposure to
new IMI. Blanket dry cow therapy (BDCT) consists in treating
all quarters of all cows with antimicrobials at the dry off. This
therapy was widely used by dairy farmers. Due to changes
in epidemiology and increasing antibiotic resistance, efforts
are being made to reduce the use of non-essential antibiotic
treatments. The aim of this study was to investigate chang-
ing in milk’s somatic cells count (SCC) values, IMI trend and
milk yield between cows treated with selective dry cow ther-
apy (SDCT) and cow treated with BDCT, in order to assess
the usefulness of administration of antimicrobial treatment to
seemingly healthy udders.
Materials and methods: The selected herd was monitored
from October 2020 to September 2021. The enrolling criteria,
as described in literature, were no clinical mastitis during pre-
vious lactation, average SCC value lower than 200.000 cell/ml
along the lactation and no IMI from major pathogens. These
data have been taken from dairy herd improvement (DHI)
controls of the previous and actual lactation, while the pres-
ence of major pathogens was detected at dry-off milk sample.
According to literature, as major pathogens, we considered
Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus dysgalactiae, Strepto-
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
ORAL — Udder Health and Mastitis
coccus agalactiae, Streptococcus uberis and Escherichia coli.
The enrolled cows were randomly assigned to SDCT group or
BDCT group. The animals in SDCT group were treated only
with internal teat sealant (Easiseal™, Fatro, Italy) while the
cows in BDCT group were treated with intramammary anti-
biotic treatment (Orbenin extra™, Zoetis, Italy) and internal
teat sealant. 10 days after calving, samples of milk from indi-
vidual quarters was collected from all enrolled cows and the
animals were monitored up to 100 lactation days for the onset
of clinical mastitis. Data for milk yield have been taken from
the first three DHI controls post-partum. Data were collected
on a spreadsheet (Excel™) and, about bacteriological and
SCC analyses, they were analyzed using SPSS 27.0 statis-
tical software (IBM, SPSS, Armonk, USA). The frequencies
of mammary infections, before dry off and post-partum, were
compared by χ2 test, while the SCC, after the assessment of
normal distribution of data by means of the Shapiro-Wilk test,
was compared by means was compared by a non-paramet-
ric U-Mann Whitney test because the data were not normally
distributed. Statistical significance was considered for p<0.05.
Results: Forty-six cows were included in the study due
to meeting the inclusion criteria and 24 cows were assigned
to SDTC group and 22 cows to the BDTC. Results showed a
non-statistically difference of IMIs incidence in post-partum in
the SDTC group in comparison with BDCT group. Within the
BDCT group, there was a statistically decrease in post-partum
IMIs (p=0.033) respect pre-partum IMIs, despite the presence
of 3 quarters infected with major pathogens at post-partum
milk sampling. No statistically difference was recorded for
SCC in both treatments’ groups before dry-off and post-par-
tum. Using only SCC values and milk yield coming from DHI
controls, we observe a non-significant difference in milk yield,
both before dry-off and after calving, for two treatments, while
SCC was significantly higher in BDCT group vs SDTC group
(p=0.036) before dry-off, but non-significant differences were
observed in SCC after calving in both experimental groups.
Conclusion: This study confirms that it is possible to ap-
ply selective dry off therapy without risk of new infections or
increase of SCC at calving, considering cows without IMI from
major pathogens and SCC values <200,000 cells/ml in the
previous lactation period. Therefore, the use of selective dry-
off has been confirmed as an effective method for reduction
the use of antibiotics in dairy farms in a One-Health perspec-
tive. Moreover, milk yield was not affected by the absence of
antibiotic treatment at dry-off.
Keywords: Cattle, Mastitis, Selective dry cow.
UH-47
Barrier Characteristics of Three External Teat Sealants to
Prevent Bacterial Penetration Under In Vitro Conditions
Using Rubber Calf Feeding Nipples
Sofie Piepers1, Igor Van Den Brulle2, Geoff Ackaert3.
1
Ghent University, FAc. Vet Medicine, Gent, Belgium; 2Ghent University,
Fac. Vet. Medicine, Ghent, Belgium; 3Inovet, Arendonk, Belgium.
441
ORAL — Udder Health and Mastitis
The main objective of this study was to evaluate the barri-
er characteristics of a new external teat sealant for dry cows
(Ubera® Dry, Inovet, Arendonk, Belgium) in preventing teat
penetration by 3 common major mastitis pathogens (Esche-
richia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus uberis)
compared to two commercially available external teat sealants
via a novel in vitro simulation model using rubber calf feed-
ing nipples. All feeding nipples were filled with a sterile cotton
plug soaked in sterile Broth Heart Infusion medium and were
treated as follows: teat 1 and teat 5 were sealed with Ubera®
Dry (Inovet, Arendonk, Belgium), teat 2 and teat 6 were sealed
with T-Hexx® Dry (Huvepharma Livestock, Missouri, US), teat
3 and teat 7 were sealed with UDDERgold® Dry (Ecolab Food
and Beverage Division, Minnesota, US), and teat 4 and 8 re-
mained unsealed and served as positive and negative controls,
respectively. After drying, teats 1 to 4 were immersed in a sus-
pension of E. coli (i.e. experiment 1), Staph. aureus (i.e. exper-
iment 2) or Strep. uberis (i.e. experiment 3) (≥ 1.5 x 108 CFU/
mL) for 24 hrs whereas teats 5 to 8 were not exposed to one of
the bacterial suspensions. All external teat sealants adhered
well to the rubber teats. All cotton plugs collected from the
teats that were not exposed to either Escherichia coli, Staph.
aureus or Strep. uberis (teats 5 to 8) remained culture-nega-
tive except for one (due to contamination). Of the teats that
were exposed to the major mastitis pathogens, all cotton plugs
collected from the teats dipped with Ubera® Dry and T-Hexx®
Dry remained also culture-negative for the mastitis pathogen
they were exposed to. The cotton plugs of the teats that were
sealed with UDDERgold® Dry while being exposed to E. coli
and Strep. uberis, resulted in positive cultures for the respec-
tive bacteria as demonstrated using strain-typing. The cotton
plugs collected from the teats that were not sealed with an ex-
ternal teat sealant and that served as positive controls became
culture-positive for the mastitis pathogens they were exposed
to. In conclusion, Ubera® Dry showed comparable and supe-
rior barrier performances against the penetration of E. coli,
Staph. aureus and Strep. uberis compared to T-Hexx® Dry and
UDDERgold® Dry, respectively, under in vitro conditions using
a novel simulation model. A large-scale clinical trial is needed
to evaluate the adherence, duration of adherence and barrier
performances of Ubera® Dry against intramammary infection
under field conditions.
Keywords: Transistion management, udder health, exter-
nal teat sealant.
UH-48
Economic consequences of an evidence-based mastitis
therapy concept
Anne Schmenger1, Stefanie Leimbach1, Volker Krömker2.
Hannover University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Hannover,
1
Germany; 2Kopenhagen University, Kopenhagen, Denmark.
Objectives: The economic significance of targeted evi-
dence-based mastitis treatment protocols is unclear. On the
one hand, a greater diagnostic effort is required before thera-
py, and on the other hand, certain treatments are dispensed
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
442
with. In a field study in which an evidence-based mastitis
therapy system was established on dairy farms, the main eco-
nomic aspects were recorded to carry out not only a medical
evaluation but also an economic assessment.
Material and methods: In a three-year field study, the
effects of establishing a targeted mastitis therapy concept
based on clinical scoring, the consideration of the animal's
individual mastitis history and the application of an on-farm
test before therapy selection were examined on 1392 mastitis
cases in 5 dairy farms in Northern Germany. All clinical mas-
titis cases and treatment data were recorded over the entire
duration of the study. After analyzing the existing conventional
therapy concepts of the farms, the mastitis therapy concept
and the on-farm culture mastDecide® were introduced. Three
treatment groups were compared: the conventional treatment
group – before introducing the new concept (n = 483), the
targeted therapy group (n = 506) and the modified targeted
therapy group (n = 403), including the cases in which farmers
deviated from the therapy concept. The investigated approach
did not lead to any change in bacteriological and cytological
cure rates, new infection rates or recurrence rates.  The two
targeted treatment groups hardly differed in terms of cures and
treatment effort (P> 0.05).
Results: The application of the test and the implementa-
tion of the targeted therapy concept as recommended resulted
in a saving of 67.4 % of intramammary antibiotic doses and
63.8 % of systemic antibiotic doses compared to the conven-
tional treatment. Furthermore, this procedure led to a lower
application effort (- 56.3 %) and a reduction of milk that could
not be delivered (-25.1 %). These savings were offset by in-
creased costs due to the on-farm tests used and the time re-
quired for using the on-farm test. Included in the cost calcula-
tion are: the amount of milk discarded, the time spent on rapid
diagnosis and treatment of the animals, the cost of the rapid
test and the cost of pharmaceuticals. For the average case of
mastitis treated with a targeted treatment concept, the costs in
total were lower by 33.20 €. The reduction of costs depended
on the pathogen group and amounted to 25.4 % of the costs of
standard therapy for Gram-negative microorganisms, 22.9 %
for Gram-positive microorganisms and 29.1 % for samples
without bacterial growth, respectively.
Conclusion: With the help of the targeted evidence-based
mastitis therapy concept, a reduction of antibiotic doses by
more than 60 % and of costs by 25.7 % were achieved with
unaffected cure rates.
Keywords: Mastitis, treatment, economics, targeted.
UH-49
Impact of mastitis degree and moment of occurrence in
milk production in dairy cattle
Nayara Magalhaes Goncalves1, Almudena Molinero Arguello2, Juana
C. C. Chagas3, Phd Marcos Inácio Marcondes4.
1
UNIFORM-Agri BV, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; 2UNIFORM-Agri
BV, Pamplona, Spain; 3Department of Agricultural Research for
Northern Sweden, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU),

Skogsmarksgränd, 90183, Umeå, Sweden; 4Dairy Cattle Production
and Nutrition, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Brazil.
Objectives: Mastitis is the disease that causes the most
loss in the dairy industry, even though there are already many
studies regarding its prevention. Due to its gravity, mastitis can
promote early culling animals, high costs with medicines, milk
withdraw and decreased milk production and quality. Thus, we
aimed to describe the impact of mastitis on milk production,
based on mastitis degree and moment of occurrence.
Materials and methods: In this retrospective study, we
used data from five dairies in the Netherlands and the data-
bank consisted of 26,228 monthly milk test records from 1,230
cows, from September 2014 to January 2020. Lactations with
less than five records were removed from the dataset. Mastitis
was considered as affecting milk yields if observed at least 30
days before the milk test day, and was scored as 1) mild mas-
titis, and 2) acute mastitis. Then, we evaluated the effect of
mastitis based on the drop in milk yield following three steps.
Firstly, we removed all mastitis records from the data and fit-
ted a wood’s curve (WC) for each cow and lactation number.
Secondly, we returned the mastitis data to the databank and
tested the effect of mastitis in each WC parameters following
the model: MY = ( 1+ 1×Mast) × Wk 2+ 2*Mast × e-( 3+ 3*Mast) × Wk,
where 1, 2 and 3 were parameters determined for each cow,
1, 2 and 3 were the effect of mastitis on MY, Mast is the binary
occurrence of mastitis, and Wk is the week of lactation. The
mastitis score (MS) was tested on all parameters. Lastly, a
general WC was fit including in the general WC to estimate
the MY loss throughout the lactation. Farm was included as
random effect in all models. The model was run using PROC
NLMIXED (SAS University edition) and parameters were con-
sidered different when P < 0.05.
Results: A total of 205 cows had, at some point of their
life, a mastitis case recorded. There were 137 cows with mild
mastitis and 68 with acute mastitis. Number of lactation when
mastitis occurred varied from 1st lactation to 11th lactation.
Also, there was a big variability of occurrence among week of
lactation (2nd to 43th weeks). The mastitis level did not impact
1 (P = 0.223) but did affect 2 (P = 0.026) and 3 (P =0.047).
Additionally, Mast did impact 1 parameter (P = 0.001), thus
one equation was fit for each mastitis degree as follows: Mast
= 1) MY = (31.860 + 0.966×Mast) × Wk0.162-0.075×Mast × e-(0.023-
0.0056×Mast) × Wk
; and Mast = 2) MY = (31.860 + 0.966×Mast) ×
Wk0.162-0.143×Mast × e-(0.023-0.012×Mast) × Wk. Cows with mastitis had low-
er milk yield at lactation peak when compared with healthy
cows. Cows with mastitis grade 1 had a peak production of
34.5 kg/d, and a peak of 32.0 kg/d with mastitis grade 2, while
healthy cows had, on average, 37.1 kg/d of milk production at
peak. Our analysis revealed that 50% of cows with mastitis
grade 1 had a milk yield loss from 2.4 to 5.0 kg/day and cows
with mastitis grade 2 had a milk yield loss from 4.1 to 8.0 kg/
day. Week of lactation where mastitis occurred had a strong
impact in milk production. Highest losses were detected be-
tween weeks 10th and 14th of lactation, and percentage of total
milk loss during this period was up to 8.5% for mastitis grade
1 and 16.5% for mastitis grade 2.
Conclusions: In conclusion, despite a large variance in
milk yield responses to mastitis, we demonstrated that mastitis
results in a reduction in milk yield regardless of severity, but
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
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this drop is greater in acute mastitis cases. Additionally, the
reduction in milk yield due to mastitis is related to the time of
occurrence and is greater at weeks 10-14th of lactation, with
losses up to 16,5% of milk yield.
Keywords: Mastitis, milk losses, dairy cattle.
UH-50
Negatively controlled, randomized clinical trial comparing
label intramammary use of amoxicillin to ceftiofur
hydrochloride for treatment of bovine clinical mastitis
caused by Gram-positive pathogens
Tiago Tomazi1, Matthew Sumnicht1, Ana Carolina C.h. Tomazi1,
Josiane C.c. Silva1, Leonardo Bringhenti1, Livia M. Duarte1, Marjory
X. Rodrigues1, Jantijn M. Swinkels2, Lowell Midla3, Scott Nordstrom3,
Rodrigo C. Bicalho1.
Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Cornell
1
University, Ithaca, United States; 2Global Ruminants, MSD Animal Health,
Boxmeer, Netherlands; 3Merck Animal Health, De Soto, United States.
Objectives: This negatively controlled field trial aimed to
compare clinical, microbiological and performance outcomes
of label use of a narrow spectrum antimicrobial (amoxicillin)
with a wide spectrum antimicrobial (ceftiofur hydrochloride)
for treatment of non-severe clinical mastitis (CM) caused by
Gram-positive bacteria.
Material and methods: After microbiological culture re-
sults, lactating dairy cows with non-severe CM (without sys-
temic symptoms) caused by Gram-positive bacteria were as-
signed to two protocols: AMOX - three infusions with 62.5 mg
of amoxicillin (Amoxi-Mast®, Merck Animal Health) performed
~12 hours apart; CEFT - five infusions with 125 mg of cef-
tiofur hydrochloride (Spectramast®, Zoetis) performed ~24
hours apart; NEG-CTR – quarters assigned to this group did
not receive any interventions until five days after diagnosis.
Before the onset of the study a randomized list was created
to pre-assign all pregnant animals to one of treatment groups;
approximately 90% of cows were assigned to one of antibiot-
ic treatment groups (~45% in each protocol) and 10% to the
negative control.
Duplicate milk samples taken before treatment (day 0) and
on days 3, 5, 8 and 14 ± 3 after enrollment for analysis of milk
composition, somatic cell count (SCC), total bacterial count
(TBC) and next-generation sequencing of 16S rRNA gene
and quantitative PCR (qPCR). Multivariate logistic regression
models were created to evaluate dichotomized outcomes such
as clinical cure (CC) and bacteriological cure (BC) at 14 ± 3
days after enrollment and quarter-level CM recurrence by the
same species up to 90 days after treatment. Repeated-mea-
sures analysis of ANOVA was conducted to analyze the effect
of treatment on milk production, SCC, composition, TBC, bac-
terial relative abundance (RA; based on microbiota) and 16S
rRNA gene copy numbers (based on qPCR).
Results: A total of 477 quarter-cases of CM were evalu-
ated: 198 assigned to AMOX, 223 to CEFT and 56 to NEG-
CTR. The most frequent isolated species were Streptococcus
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ORAL — Udder Health and Mastitis
uberis (60.6%), Strep. dysgalactiae (19.3%), Streptococcus
spp. (8.4%) and non-aureus staphylococci (6.1%). The over-
all CC (based on least square means) was 84.1% for AMOX
and 89.0% for CEFT, and no significant statistical difference
(P=0.15) was observed between groups. Likewise, no differ-
ence (P=0.10) between groups was observed on the evalu-
ation of BC (AMOX = 58.2%; CEFT = 66.4%). Moreover, we
found no statistical differences (P>0.05) between treatments
when comparing CC and BC according to the mastitis-causing
species (i.e., Strep. uberis, Strep. dysgalactiae or combination
of other pathogens). Compared to antibiotic treated groups,
quarters assigned to NEG-CTL had higher CFU, 16S rRNA
gene copy numbers, and Streptococcus RA until day five after
enrollment. Moreover, milk samples from NEG-CTL cows had
lower fat and lactose contents, and higher total protein than
antibiotic-treated cows up to the third test day after enrollment.
A substantial reduction of bacterial load (CFU and qPCR) and
Streptococcus RA was found for quarters receiving antibiotic
therapy. Quarters treated with AMOX had higher CFU on days
5, 8 and 14 after enrollment compared to CEFT. In addition,
the relative abundance of Strep. uberis was higher on day
14 after enrollment for AMOX-treated quarters than for those
assigned to CEFT group, which may be related to the dura-
tion of treatment. Linear score of SCC (LSSCC) was higher
for AMOX-treated cows than for those treated with CEFT in
the first test day after CM, but no differences were observed
in the second and third test days following CM. Higher milk
production was observed for cows assigned to AMOX group
compared with CEFT-treated cows until the third test day
after enrollment. No significant differences between groups
(P=0.92) were found on CM recurrence (9.0% for CEFT; 9.3%
for AMOX), and on survival of cows in the herd after treatment
(P=0.51).
Conclusion: Two-day protocol with three intramammary
infusions of amoxicillin (narrow spectrum antimicrobial) had
similar CC and BC than five administrations (once a day) with
ceftiofur hydrochloride (wide spectrum), and no difference was
observed on the risk of CM recurrence and cow survival. How-
ever, quarters treated with 5-day ceftiofur protocol had higher
reduction of milk CFU than quarters treated with amoxicillin
up to 14 days after treatment. Antibiotic use remains an in-
dispensable strategy for treatment of Gram-positive bacteria,
since untreated quarters remained with high CFU, gene copy
numbers and Streptococcus spp. RA than quarters receiving
any of the antimicrobial protocols.
Keywords: Treatment of clinical mastitis, dairy cows, mi-
crobiome, Gram-positive mastitis pathogens.
UH-51
Antibiogram of pathogens isolated from milk of mastitic
dairy buffaloes (Bubalus Bubalis) of Punjab and association
of California Mastitis Test Scores with intramammmary
infection status
Dhiraj Kumar Gupta, C.S. Randhawa.
Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University,
Ludhiana, India.
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Objectives: To determine the antibiogram of pathogens
isolated from milk of mastitic dairy buffaloes and to evaluate
the California Mastitis Test (CMT) as an indicator of intramam-
mary infection (IMI) in lactating dairy buffaloes.
Materials and methods: A total of 1489 milk samples
from 474 mastitic buffaloes were subjected to CMT and micro-
bial culture in Mastitis Laboratory, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary
and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana. Isolates were con-
firmed by standard biochemical characterization and further
subjected to antimicrobial sensitivity testing (AST). A total of
14 antibiotics belonging to 7 groups were used to study the
drug resistance pattern. Further, the CMT was evaluated as
an indicator of intramammary infection (IMI) in lactating dairy
buffaloes using chi square test.
Results and conclusion: Of these, 643 (43.18%) quar-
ters were culturally positive which comprises Coagulase-nega-
tive staphylococci (68.90%), Coagulase-positive staphylococ-
ci (27.06%), Streptococcus spp. (1.24 %) and Gram Negative
organisms (2.80%). A total of 846 quarters revealed no growth.
A total of 14 antibiotics belonging to 7 groups were used to
study the drug resistance pattern. Overall antibiotic sensitivity
test revealed highest susceptibility to Ceftriaxone+tazobactum
(86.97%) followed by Ceftriaxone+sulbactum (78.91%) and
Cefaperazone (73.13%), while least resistance was observed
against penicillin (30.00%) followed by ampicillin (31.14%)
and amoxicillin (38.81%). Coagulase-negative staphylococci
(CNS) were the most frequently recovered bacterial species
accounting for 68.90% of all isolates. Out of 54 CNS isolates
antibiotic sensitivity testing was done only in 48 isolates, which
revealed highest susceptibility to Ceftriaxone+sulbactu fol-
lowed by Cefaperazone and gentamicin while resistance was
observed against penicillin, amoxicillin and ampicillin. An IMI
was identified in 43.18% of quarters. For buffaloes without ev-
idence of clinical mastitis, the sensitivity of a CMT score more
than or equal to trace in predicting an IMI on a quarter basis
was assessed. CMT score with IMI was 1.21±0.076 and with-
out IMI was 0.89±0.047. For quarters without evidence of clini-
cal mastitis, the sensitivity of a CMT score ³ trace in predicting
an IMI on a quarter basis was 0.48.
Keywords: Antibiogram, mastitis, buffaloes, AST, CMT.
UH-52
A Randomized Non-Inferiority Study Evaluating the
Efficacy of Two Commercially Available Teat Sealants in
Dairy Cows
Patrick J Gorden1, Jantijn Swinkels2, Michelle P Buckley3, Jenna
Bayne4, Gustavo S Silva1, Tiago Tomazi5, Brian E Miller5, Sandra M
Godden6.
1
Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal
Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, Ames, United States;
2
MSD Animal Health Global Ruminants, Boxmeer, Netherlands;
3
Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Preventative Medicine,
Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, Ames, United States; 4Auburn
University College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn, AL 36849,
Auburn, United States; 5Merck Animal Health, Kenilworth, United
States; 6Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of

Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, St. Paul, United States.
Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to
compare the efficacy of a new internal teat sealant (ShutOutTM,
Merck Animal Health, Madison, NJ, USA) (SO) to the current
US industry leader (Orbeseal®, Zoetis, Parsippany, NJ, USA)
(ORB). This comparison was based on a non-inferiority evalu-
ation of quarter-level new infection risk during the dry period,
with secondary comparisons of cure risk, incidence of clini-
cal mastitis at the cow level during the first 120 days in milk,
as well as cow-level performance in early lactation based on
milk production, somatic cell count (SCC), and risk for removal
from the herd.
Materials & Methods: This study was conducted on six
commercial dairy farms (two in Iowa and four in Minnesota)
and one university dairy (Iowa State University). On all farms,
cows were randomly assigned to treatment groups, blocked
by farm on the day of enrollment. Eligibility criteria included
an expected dry period of 30-90 days, at least three functional
quarters, body condition score >2.0 out of 5, and a lameness
score <4 out of 5. Cows designated to be culled early in the
subsequent lactation were also ineligible. Cows were exclud-
ed from enrollment if they had received any antimicrobial treat-
ment within 14 days of dry off.
Study personnel collected aseptic, quarter-level, dupli-
cate samples for routine aerobic culture immediately prior fi-
nal milking and treatment at dry-off, and again within 14 days
of calving, to evaluate risk of new intramammary infection
(NIMI) and cure of existing intramammary infection (CIMI).
Following milking machine detachment, all quarters received
500 mg of cloxacillin benzathine (Orbenin DC, Merck Animal
Health, Madison, NJ, USA) followed by their assigned sealant.
Post-milking procedures and dry period care were executed
per individual farm protocols. Animal performance was also
monitored for 120 days post-calving using Dairy Herd Im-
provement Association (DHIA) electronic records and owner
captured clinical mastitis events as well as culling and death
loss. Effect of treatment on dry period CIMI and NIMI in the
first 14 DIM were evaluated using generalized linear mixed
models.
Results: At dry off, 65.1% of quarters were not infected
with no difference between groups (P = 0.16). During the
dry period, the least square means new infection risk was
SO=0.266 [CI 0.233, 0.303] vs ORB=0.276 [CI 0.243, 0.313],
with no difference identified between treatment groups (P =
0.646). In post-fresh samples, least square means of cured
infections were also not different between treatment groups
SO=0.966 [CI 0.927, 0.984] vs ORB=0.949 [CI 0.902, 0.974]
(P=0.259). When evaluating cow-level events within the first
120 days, there was no difference in clinical mastitis risk with
a probability of ORB cows developing an infection of 0.122
and 0.115 for SO cows (P=0.74). Risk of culling was also sim-
ilar between treatment groups with ORB cows experiencing
a probability of being affected of 0.111 and SO cows at 0.073
(P=0.699). Finally, death rate did not differ between treatment
groups with a probability of 0.019 for ORB treated cows vs
0.022 SO cows (P=0.956).
Conclusions: No difference was identified in quarter-level
new infection and cure risks during the dry period in our com-
parison of two commercially available internal teat sealants.
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Cow-level events including culling, clinical mastitis, and death
within the first 120 DIM also showed no differences between
treatment groups.
Keywords: Teat sealant, dry cow therapy, dairy, mastitis.
UH-53
Cabergoline as a tool to reduce the incidence of milk
leakage and facilitate dry-off management in large dairy
herds. Results in Saudi Arabia
Ahmed Hamdy1, Aarafa Mohammed Shamia2, Mohamed Barghout2,
Imad B. Saleh Alhamid2, Juan Munoz Bielsa1, Alaa Fattouh1, Carla
Azevedo1, Cyrille Chevtzoff1.
Ceva Santé Animale, Libourne, France; 2Nadec Dairy Farm, Saudi
1
Arabia, Saudi Arabia.
Objectives: The incidence of milk leakage (ML) has been
proven to be a risk factor for acquiring new intramammary in-
fections. Moreover, Zobel et al. (2013) have shown a relation-
ship between the milk production at dry-off and the percentage
of milk leakage. Usually many farms decide to perform a grad-
ual dry-off procedure in order to decrease the milk production
at the time of dry-off. However, this results in losses of milk
production, extra time, labour costs and welfare issues due to
nutrient restriction and social regrouping. In this study, dry-off
procedure was done abruptly to evaluate if cabergoline treat-
ment can facilitate the dry-off procedure and decrease milk
leakage. The objective of this study was to investigate the ef-
fect of cabergoline (Velactis® Ceva Santé Animale, Libourne,
France) on the incidence of milk leakage after dry-off in a large
commercial dairy farm in Saudi Arabia.
Materials and methods: 861 dairy cows located in one
commercial dairy farm (NADEC dairy farm) in Saudi Arabia
were enrolled the day of the dry-off and followed up until 48-
52 hours after. All cows were dried abruptly, without changing
in feeding or milking frequency. 431 cows were treated with
a single intramuscular injection of 5.6 mg cabergoline after
last milking and 430 cows didn’t receive a treatment and were
considered as control group. The animal distribution was done
in order to have similar proportion of primiparous and multip-
arous animals between the two groups (respectively 38.28%
and 61.72% for the treated group and 38.37% and 61.67%
for the control group). All levels of milk production cows were
included if animals met the inclusion criteria. Milk leakage was
observed at three different time-points after the dry-off: 20-24,
30-24 and 48-52 hours after. The study was randomized and
blinded. The drug administrator was different from the person
who did the milk leakage observations. The individual cow was
the experimental unit and the quarter was the data collection.
Data analysis was performed by using STATA® (version 14.0)
software. Number of quarters leaking milk per cow in each
group was estimated with corresponding 95% confidence in-
terval.
Results: Overall, the percentage of cows with milk leak-
age was lower in cabergoline treated (12%) compared with
control (49%) cows (P < 0.001). Cows in the control group
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ORAL — Udder Health and Mastitis
were 7.19 times more likely to show milk leakage compared
with cabergoline treated cows When comparing the data by
parity (adjusted on milk production, visit and teat score), the
percentage of cows leaking milk was lower in cabergoline
treated compared to control cows, both for primiparous (1%
vs. 17%) and multiparous (5% vs. 35%) cows (P < 0.001).
Also, the risk of having milk leakage was not statistically differ-
ent between level of milk production (adjusted on parity, visit
and teat score): percentage of cows leaking milk was lower for
cabergoline group compared to control group (P < 0.001) in
cows producing ˂17kg (2% vs. 17%), 17-24.5kg (3% vs. 22%),
24.5-31kg (3% vs. 30%), and more than 31kg (3% vs. 33%).
Conclusions: It is the first time that milk leakage inci-
dence is evaluated in a large and well managed commercial
dairy farm in Saudi Arabia. Our data provide evidence that a
single injection of cabergoline decreases significantly the per-
centage of milk leakage after dry-off, reducing risk factors for
udder health in both primiparous and multiparous cows and for
different levels of milk production. Considering these results,
cabergoline can be a useful tool to be used in largest dairy
farms to optimize the dry-off management, to decrease the
milk production at the time of dry-off and consequently reduce
the risk for new intramammary infections after the dry-off.
Keywords: Cabergoline, Dry-off, Cows, Milk leakage.
UH-54
Oral fully oxidized beta-carotene increases spontaneous
bacteriological cure and reduces risk of subsequent clinical
mastitis in cows with subclinical mastitis
Scott McDougall.
Cognosco, Morrinsville, New Zealand.
Objective: To determine if oral supplementation with fully
oxidised beta-carotene (OxBC) would improve spontaneous
bacteriological cure rate in lactating dairy cows with subclinical
mastitis.
Materials and Methods: Cows (n=4 herds) with an ele-
vated somatic cell count (SCC; >200,000 cells/mL) and which
had not been treated with antimicrobials or nonsteroidal an-
ti-inflammatory drugs in the preceding 14 days had milk sam-
ples collected following aseptic teat end preparation for culture
and quarter-level SCC determination. Cows with one or more
quarters that met the enrolment criteria (i.e. had quarter-level
SCC >200,000 cells/mL and had one or two distinct bacterial
species isolated upon culture) were blocked by lactation num-
ber (primiparous vs multiparous), ranked on herd test SCC,
and randomly assigned to treatment (i.e. 0.3 g of OxBC, in
the form of commercial product OxC-beta Livestock 10%, in-
corporated into 0.5 kg of a cereal based pelletised feed, and
fed once daily for 42 days) or control (0.5 kg of the pelletised
feed without the OxBC). Milk samples were collected from en-
rolled quarters at 21 and 42 days after initiation of treatment
for microbiology and SCC determination. Cows were observed
daily for evidence of clinical mastitis (i.e. presence of flecks
or clots in the milk and/or heat and swelling of the mammary
31st WORLD BUIATRICS CONGRESS 2022 MADRID
446
gland). Quarters were defined as having undergone sponta-
neous bacteriological cure if the bacterial species present prior
to an initiation of treatment were not cultured in either of the
post enrolment milk samples. A multilevel multivariable binary
logistic regression model was used to determine the effect of
treatment (i.e. OxBC vs control), and including potential co-
variates such as age, bacterial species (coded as major patho-
gens i.e. Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus spp. vs
others), days in milk, quarter position within cow (i.e. fore vs
rear glands), and pre-treatment quarter level SCC. Quarter
level SCC were natural log (ln) transformed before analysis in
a generalised linear mixed model with treatment and Day (i.e.
Days 0, 21 and 42) and their interaction as fixed effects.
Results: Data from 77 vs 79 cows and 135 vs 128 quar-
ters were available for analysis from the control vs treatment
feeding groups, respectively. Treatment groups did not differ
in terms of age, breed, cow-composite SCC prior to treatment,
days in milk at enrolment, or frequency of bacteria associated
with intramammary infection (all P>0.8). More quarters from
cows fed OxBC underwent spontaneous resolution of bacte-
rial infection compared with quarters from cows fed the con-
trol feed (13.9% (95% CI 4.1-23.7) vs 6.9% (95% CI 4.8-9.1)
for quarters from OxBC fed vs control fed cows, respectively;
odds ratio = 2.18 (95% CI 1.14-4.17); P=0.02). There was no
effect of treatment (P=0.34) or day (P=0.12), nor was there
a treatment by day interaction (P=0.17) for the quarter-level
ln SCC. Fewer of the quarters in cows fed OxBC had clinical
mastitis in the 42 days post initiation of feeding compared with
quarters from control fed cows (1/129 (0.78% (95%CI 0.02-
4.24)) vs 6/135 (4.44% (95%CI 1.65-9.42)). The odds ratio of
mastitis diagnosis in quarters from cows fed OxBC was 0.17
(95%CI 0.03-0.82) relative to quarters from cows fed the con-
trol diet.
Conclusions: This study demonstrated that oral supple-
mentation with fully oxidised beta-carotene (OxBC) of dairy
cows with subclinical mastitis resulted in a higher spontaneous
cure of existing intramammary infection and a reduced risk of
subsequent clinical mastitis. The potential mechanism for this
effect may be enhanced innate immune response associat-
ed with upregulating the numbers of pattern recognition re-
ceptors including toll -like receptors 2 and 4 (Johnston et al.
2014). This compound provides a non-antimicrobial approach
to reducing the prevalence of intramammary infection in dairy
herds.
References:
Johnston JB, Nickerson JG, Daroszewski J, Mogg TJ,
Burton GW. Biologically active polymers from spontaneous
carotenoid oxidation: a new frontier in carotenoid activity.
PLOS ONE 9, e111346-e, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0111346,
2014.
Keywords: Subclinical mastitis, control, beta-carotene.

UH-55
Farmer´s attitude, level of application and challenges to
implement selective dry cow therapy on Spanish dairy
farms
C. Carbonell1, N. Charfeddine2, M. Marcos1, L. Elvira1.
1
MSD Animal Health, Salamanca, Spain; 2
CONAFE Technical
department, Madrid, Spain.
Objectives: The dry period is crucial for udder health in
the dairy cow. Indeed, this period is at the same time an op-
portunity to cure intramammary infections (IMI) and a risk for
new IMI (Bradley and green 2004). For this reason, blanket
dry cow therapy (BDCT), regardless the cow infection status,
was included in the 5-point plan for mastitis control (Neave et
al., 1969).  However, in the last years, there is an increasing
public health concern in EU about antimicrobial resistance.
Consequently, a new European veterinary medicines regula-
tion (EU 2019/6) has restricted the prophylactic use of antimi-
crobials. Hence, BDCT is not allowed anymore on European
dairy farms since February 2022.
Selective dry cow therapy (SDCT) involves only treating
infected cows with antibiotics at dry-off. Numerous studies
(Kabera et al., 2021, Rowe et al., 2020, Swinkels et al., 2021)
and previous experience (Vanhoudt et al., 2018) have shown
that SDCT is an alternative strategy to reduce total antimicro-
bials usage (AMU) without negative consequences on udder
health. Nevertheless, a good dry cow management (DCM) is
crucial for a successful implementation of SDCT (Roodenburg
et al, 2020).
In Spain, there is a lack of knowledge about DCM and
SDCT implementation in the dairy farms.
Then the purpose of this study is to provide insight into
(1) farmer´s knowledge, level of implementation and attitude
towards SDCT in Spanish dairy farms just before new EU reg-
ulation becomes mandatory, (2) DCM and possible challenge
to implement SDCT and (3) the relationship between SDCT,
BDCT and the main key performance indicators related with
dry cow udder health.
Materials and methods: The study was based on a sur-
vey performed to farmers belonging to Dairy Cow National
Association (CONAFE) between August and December 2021.
It consisted of fourteen questions to collect their knowledge
about SDCT and the new regulation, their dry off strategy
and DCM. To avoid bias, all the interviewers were previously
trained and couldn’t be involved in the milk quality of the farm.
A random sample of 450 farms representative of the differ-
ent farm sizes and regions included in the DHI program were
selected. At the end of the survey, we asked them for authori-
zation to use their DHI data to calculate the main KPI related
with the dry off period: cows infected at dry-off; new infections
rate, cure rate and chronic rate at calving; and percentage of
healthy cows at calving.
Results: A total of 401 questionnaires were completed,
390 agree to respond and 364 authorized to share their DHI
data. Surprisingly, 39.7% of farmers have not previously hear
about SDCT, shortly before it becomes mandatory. This high-
lights the lack of communication between the different stake-
holders involved in the dairy segment. Furthermore, a 33.3%
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of farmers already knew about SDCT but didn’t apply it, mainly
due to their fear to worsen their udder health status.
On the other hand, 21.8% of farmers were already apply-
ing SDCT. More than a half for two or more years (51.8%) and
only a very low percentage just starting in the last 12 months
(9.4%). The AMU reduction was very high with a 45.9% of
farms treating less than a 25% of cows with antibiotics at dry
off.
One of the main challenges to implement SDCT, was relat-
ed with the high level of production of cows at dry off. Farmers
estimate around a 39.7% of cows still produce more than 25
litres at dry off. This feeling was confirmed by DHI data, with
40.7% of cows producing more than 25 liters of milk in the milk
control previous to the dry off.
As expected, no statistical differences were found in the
main KPI indicators of udder health related with the dry off
between SDCT and BDCT farms (19.1 and 18.5% new IMI
and 67.1 and 69% cure rate for SDCT and BDCT, respectively)
Conclusions: In conclusion, many Spanish dairy farms
will have to get out of their comfort zone and move towards
SDCT in a short time. It will be a great challenge for both dairy
farmers and vets, with 78% of dairy farms still using BDCT in
2021. Hopefully, as those ones starting with SDCT they will
also reach it successfully.
Keywords: Selective dry cow therapy, udder health, farm-
er attitude, dry cow management.
UH-56
Bacterial identification of milk samples from small family
farms in the Pontal do Paranapanema region, State of São
Paulo, Brazil
Mario Augusto Reyes1, Jeferson Carvalho1, Natalia Gaeta1, Alessandra
Nassar2, Gisela Gregoria Choque1, Lilian Gregory1.
Departamento de Clinica Medica, Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil;
1
Laboratorio de Bacteriologia Geral, Instituto Biologico de São Paulo,
2
Brazil.
Objectives: The objective of this study was to identify bac-
teria from milk samples from cows in rural São Paulo, in the
Pontal do Paranapanema region.
Materials and methods: 2,431 samples were obtained
from 616 animals from different small family milk productions
in the Pontal do Paranapanema region, State of São Paulo,
Brazil. The milk samples were cultured on blood agar for 48
hours to observe the growth of bacterial colonies, after which
the colonies that grew were stained with the "Gram" staining
technique for observation and identification under the micro-
scope.
Results: We observed that from the 2,431 samples,
46.11% (1.121 / 2.431) did not show bacterial growth, 26.28%
(639/2431) showed only growth of Staphylococcus sp.,
12.58% (306/2431) showed only growth Bacillus sp., 3.82%
(93/2431) showed only growth of Corynebacterium sp.,
3.16% (77/2431) showed only growth of Enterobacteria, 2.5%
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(61/2431) showed growth of Bacillus and Staphylococcus sp.,
0.98% (24/2431) showed only E.coli growth, 0.86% (21/2431)
showed only Enterobacter gergoviae growth, 0.7% (17/2431)
showed growth of Corynebacterium and Staphylococcus sp.,
0.53% (13/2431) showed growth of Corynebacterium and Ba-
cillus sp., 0.37% (9/2431) showed growth of Non-fermenting
Gram Negative Bacteria (GNNF), 0.12% ( 3/2431) present-
ed growth of Enterobacteria and Staphylococcus sp., 0.04%
(1/2431) presented Yeasts and Bacillus and E.coli and Staph-
ylococcus sp.
Conclusions: It concluded, we can say that Staphylococ-
cus, Bacillus, Corynebacterium sp. and Enterobacteria are
bacterial agents that cause mastitis and play an important role
in the health of the mammary gland, in addition to the fact that
studies of this type should continue to be carried out, in order
to better understand what type of bacteria are affecting the
production of family milk in Brazil .
Keywords: Production, bovine, cattle, hygiene.
to neomycin, 0.77% (5/648) of colonies were resistant only to
enrofloxacin, 0.77% (5/648) of colonies were resistant only to
gentamicin. 0.61% (4/648) of colonies were resistant only to
ampicillin. 0.31% (2/648) of the colonies were resistant only to
amoxicillin. 0.31% (2/648) of the colonies were resistant only
to ceftiofur, 0.15% (1/648) of the colonies were resistant only
to enrofloxacin, 0.15% (1/648) of the colonies were resistant
only to chloramphenicol and 10.03% (65/648) of colonies were
susceptible to all antibiotics tested.
Conclusions: These results indicate that multidrugs re-
sistance to antibiotics is one great problem in Brazil and was
caused by the prolonged and indiscriminate use of the same
active principle, for this reason, more studies must to be made
with the aim to describe a picture of the situation in Brazilian
dairy farms.
Keywords: Production, bovine, cattle, hygiene, bacteria.

UH-57

Antimicrobial susceptibility of Staphylococcus sp. isolated

from bovine milk samples from family dairy farms in the
Pontal do Paranapanema region, State of São Paulo, Brazil.
Mario Augusto Reyes1, Jeferson Carvalho1, Natalia Gaeta1, Alessandra
Nassar2, Lilian Gregory1.
Departamento de Clinica Medica, Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil;
1

Laboratorio de Bacteriologia Geral, Instituto Biologico de São Paulo,

2

Brazil.

Objectives: The objective of the study was to determine

the antimicrobial susceptibility of Staphylococcus sp. isolated
from samples of bovine milk production of small family dairy,
located in the Pontal do Paranapanema region in São Paulo,
Brazil.
Material and methods: 648 colonies of Staphylococcus
sp. obtained from bovine milk samples from small family dairy
farms were tested for antimicrobial sensitivity using the disk
diffusion test, approved by the Clinical and Laboratory Stan-
dard Institute (CLSI). The following antibiotics were used:
amoxicillin (25 µg), ampicillin (10 µg), cephalothin (30 µg),
chloramphenicol (30 µg), enrofloxacin (10 µg), streptomycin
(10 µg), gentamicin (10 µg), neomycin ( 30 µg), penicillin (10
IU), sulfazotrim (25 µg) and tetracycline (30 µg).
Results: We observed that 15.43% (100/648) of the col-
onies found were resistant to eight antibiotics simultaneous-
ly: amoxicillin, cephalothin, chloramphenicol, enrofloxacin,
streptomycin, penicillin, sulfazotrim and tetracycline. In addi-
tion, 29.06% (186/648) of colonies were resistant to five an-
tibiotics simultaneously: amoxicillin, ampicillin, cephalothin,
chloramphenicol and penicillin. 9.72% (53/648) of the colonies
were resistant to three antibiotics: amoxicillin, ampicillin and
cephalothin. 2.62% (17/648) of colonies were resistant only
to penciline, 2.31% (15/648) of colonies were resistant only to
tetracycline, 1.08% (7/648) of colonies were resistant only to
streptomycin , 1.08% (7/648) of colonies were resistant only
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